Senior Global Trade Controls Lead

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we've been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world's biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You'll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That's us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology, and WD® brands.

Today's exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It's You & Western Digital. Together, we're the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

• High working knowledge of international import/export operations and must be able to effectively troubleshoot any issues that may arise in international trade and transportation.

• Responsible for customs and trade operations support in United States and International locations

• Develop strategies and actionable plans to support compliant and efficient international movement of products and services through partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

• Engages with internal stakeholders to provide consultation and guidance in managing their compliance obligations.

• Interface with freight forwarders, US government officials, custom brokers, internal and external customers on all matters pertaining to import and export regulations.

• The job entails managing and executing on both operational tasks and problem-solving, as situations arise.

• Design a global customs brokerage, forwarder, and logistic partner program with the intent to deploy and support trade operations.

• Responsible for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) with a goal to drive ongoing process improvement.

• Evaluate new government and trade compliance requirements to ensure standard operating procedures are updated accordingly.

• Partner with the legal team to understand the regulatory changes that impact business and engage internal functions to develop and execute defined procedures.

• Serve as a functional expert in Global Trade matters for the region by using experience and knowledge of customs regulations, as well as other partner governmental agencies, to promote increased compliant market access for efficient flow of goods across borders.

• Drive improvements on cost, lead time and process efficiency through data analytics, automated tool utilization and robust data management

• Build communications, training plans and desk/standard operating procedures to ensure all internal and external partners are aware and aligned to trade compliance governance processes.

• Work in collaboration with leadership, product and business teams, and external partners to create and enforce regional trade compliance

• Build, track and maintain content and metrics to monitor for actionable insights that enhance the trade compliance experience for customers and partners.

• Monitor proposed changes in import and export control law and regulations and assesses the impact of these proposed changes on the Company's business.

• Manage daily tasks related to providing trade compliance governance guidance of all global governance standards and programs implemented, including conducting research, updating status reports, and coordinating team deliverables.

• Assist with technology, product classification, including Harmonized Commodity Codes (HTS, Schedule B, ECCN) classifications specific to in country requirements.

• Proactively identify and drive automation, accuracy, friction reduction, and process improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• Licensed Customs Broker Certification required.

• Deep technical knowledge of global customs, import and export topics, including incoterms, valuation, classification, country of origin, free-trade agreements, export controls, licensing, and sanctions

• Extensive experience in industry, a professional services firm, a Fortune 500 company or a major importer or exporter

• Being informed on current on global trade developments and work to identify savings opportunities and compliance improvements

• Excellent team leader with great organizational skills, strong motivation to succeed, and ability to cultivate strong internal and external relationships

• Flexibility to work with colleagues around the world, foreign language capabilities a plus

• Experience with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Foreign Assets Control, or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and similar organizations in other countries

• Experience managing/supervising teams

• Strong analytical and communication skills

• Able to successfully execute multiple projects from start to finish

• Bachelor's/Master's degree

• Knowledge of Global Trade Management system is a definite plus

• Is a proven Trusted Partner who exuberates authenticity, empathy, integrity, accountability, and professional ethics.

• Communicates effectively

• Invests in the team and relationship with stakeholders

• Encourages collaboration cross functionally, culturally and countries

• Creates a respective and safe environment

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person's gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal ( EEOC\ KnowYourRights6.12.pdf) " poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here ( .

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 4/13/2026 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application

Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee's pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.

• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.

• If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.

• You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either Western Digital's Short Term Incentive Plan ("STI Plan") or the Sales Incentive Plan ("SIP") which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.

• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to Western Digital Ethics Helpline ( or email [email protected] .