Senior Manager, Global Trade Compliance- Cell Therapy

We’re here for one reason and one reason only – to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. We’ve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we're not finished yet.

Join Kite, as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies, and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfill their aspirations. Join Kite and help create more tomorrows.

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Global Trade Compliance is responsible for leading and overseeing all import and export compliance activities supporting cell therapy operations across domestic and international markets. This role ensures adherence to U.S., Canadian, and global trade regulations by developing, implementing, and maintaining robust compliance programs, policies, procedures, and controls. The position serves as the subject matter expert for customs, FDA, USDA, CDC, and other government agency requirements, while partnering closely with internal stakeholders and external service providers to support the efficient movement of critical cell therapy products.

The role provides strategic oversight of customs brokerage activities, product classifications, export controls, recordkeeping, auditing, training, and compliance monitoring. The leader drives continuous improvement through the development of key performance indicators, identification of compliance gaps, implementation of trade compliance systems, and recommendations for cost-saving opportunities. Success in this position requires deep expertise in global trade compliance, strong cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence business decisions while ensuring regulatory compliance across the end-to-end supply chain.

Essential Duties and Job Functions:

• Responsible for overseeing and leading the daily operations of all export and import compliance tasks and projects for cell therapy operations.
• Manage Customs brokers to facilitate and support the efficient and timely customs clearance process.
• Develop, implement, and maintain programs, policies, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance in accordance with new regulations, CBP (Custom and Border Patrol), CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) guidelines, FDA, USDA, CDC and relevant agencies.
• Interface with PGAs, internal and external customers on all matters pertaining to customs and import and export regulations.
• Manage and assign HTS classifications, Export Control Classification (ECCN) FDA import product codes, USDA guidelines, Schedule B and country of origin information.
• Manage import/export recordkeeping process in compliance with guidelines set forth by CBP, CBSA and Kite’s corporate policy and internal procedures.
• Develop and implement detailed and targeted Trade Compliance training to cross-functional teams.
• Ensure transactions are screened against Denied Person and Entities list for restricted end-uses, and diversion.
• Implement audit program to include import entry filings, EEI export filings, and valuation methodology.
• Conduct internal audit and assessment of business activities for adherence to import/export procedures throughout the business lifecycle, including early-stage review of new products and classification/characterization of commodities through final delivery to customer.
• Develop, monitor, measure and report Key Performance Indicators (KPI) related to import/export activities with goal to drive ongoing process improvement.
• Manage internal Trade Compliance and FDA information Databases.
• Collaborate with IT on new Trade Compliance system and processes implementation.
• Develop and foster relationships with internal departments, plant, and warehouse operations, including R & D, Logistics, Supply Chain, Commercial, Tax, Legal, involved in import/export activities.
• Review opportunities for cost reductions and provide recommendations to Leadership Team.
• All other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Masters’ degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, or related field with 6+ years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience OR
• High School Degree with 12 + years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Cell Therapy import, export and regulatory requirements in the US and international markets.
• US Customs Broker License.
• Strong technical knowledge of US/ Canada Customs laws and regulations.
• Very strong FDA, USDA and CDC Import requirements experience.
• Experience implementing, managing, and collaborating on trade compliance programs.
• Known for communicating effectively with compliance management and business leaders and teams, including excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Identifying compliance gaps and recommending process improvements for global supply chain.
• Project Management experience a plus.
• Ability to influence internal and external partners without direct authority utilizing excellent collaboration skills.
• Reputation for providing sound oversight, advice, and counsel on import / export compliance issues.
• Self-Motivated / Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Working knowledge of SAP GTS

People Leader Accountabilities:

• Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams.
• Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and realize their purpose.
• Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem.

The salary range for this position is: $143,225.00 - $185,350.00. Kite considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma.
 

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Kite Pharma is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact [email protected] for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

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Kite Pharma will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the  legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
 

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Kite Pharma provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.