Manager, Trade Compliance (MENA)

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and highly specialized Manager of Trade Compliance to lead our import and regulatory compliance efforts for iHerb across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This newly created role is vital to ensuring seamless market access managing regulatory risk and maintaining the highest standards of compliance within this complex and rapidly evolving market.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in MENA regulatory frameworks customs requirements and the specific ingredient and labeling restrictions for the supplements and cosmetics industries.

Job Expectations:

Regulatory Compliance & Market Access:

Product Clearance: Oversee and manage the end-to-end process of obtaining necessary governmental approvals and permits to ensure our supplements and cosmetic products are legally allowed into various countries within the MENA region.

Prohibited Ingredient Review: Act as the subject matter expert on prohibited and restricted ingredients in MENA markets systematically reviewing all product formulations against local regulations (e.g. GCC standardization).

Government Relations: Collaborate directly with local government regulators Ministries of Health customs authorities and standards organizations (e.g. SFDA ESMA) to facilitate product registration resolve clearance issues and stay informed of regulatory changes.

Labeling and Documentation: Ensure all required import and registration documentation is accurate complete and compliant with local standards including specific labeling requirements.

Customs & Classification:

HTS Classification: Assign audit and correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications for all imported products ensuring accuracy to minimize customs delays and duty exposure.

Customs Broker Management: Oversee the performance of local customs brokers and logistics partners providing them with necessary compliance information and managing import declarations.

Duty & Tax Management: Advise on customs valuation Incoterms and duty mitigation strategies in compliance with local regulations.

Strategy & Training:

Risk Management: Develop and implement proactive trade compliance policies and procedures tailored to the supplements and cosmetics categories in the MENA context.

Internal Training: Conduct regular training for internal teams (e.g. Supply Chain Marketing Legal) on compliance requirements classification and regulatory updates.

Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in trade compliance processes to increase efficiency and reduce lead times for product launches.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Solid knowledge and experiences in compliance tariff classification regulatory review product compliance.
• Ability to manage complex issues and develop practical solutions while maintaining discretion and protecting confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build trustworthy relationships with colleagues and business partners yet maintain a high degree of independence professional standing and confidentiality.
• Strong negotiation skills with a solid understanding of commercial processes.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply complex often varying regulations from MENA governmental bodies (e.g. health ministries standards organizations). Fluent written and verbal English language.
• Understanding of compliance best practices and typical risk/red flag issues and practices.
• Knowledge of and experience advising on regulations tariff schedule sanctions and other compliance-related laws and regulations.
• Communication excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred.

Experience Requirements:

• At least 8 years of experience working with relevant regulatory policies and laws globally.
• Working experience in the retail industry is preferred but not mandatory.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent compliance experience

Work Environment:

• Fast-paced with multi-level responsibilities
• Professional yet casual work environment

Office / Warehouse environment

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Staffing Agency Submission Notice
iHerb does not accept unsolicited 3rd party (Agency) candidates. If you are an Agency please send any requests to be considered as a supplier in our Vendor Management System to . Do not contact iHerb employees directly. If requested to work on a role any Agency candidates would be presented through the internal recruiting organization.

About iHerb
iHerb is on a mission to make health and wellness accessible to all. We offer Earths best-curated selection of health and wellness products at the best possible value delivered with the most convenient experience.

Were the worlds largest eCommerce platform dedicated to vitamins minerals and supplements and other health and wellness products. For more than 25 years weve been making it simple for people all over the world to purchase the highest quality products. From supplements to skincare to grocery items we ship over 50000 products from over 1800 brands direct to our customers in 180 countries.

Our vision is to become the #1 destination for health and wellness across the world.

With a passion for wellness and a mind for innovative solutions iHerb team members share a vision for a healthier world that drives them each day. Our 5 Shared Values unite our global team:

Focus on the Customer Empower Our People Be Entrepreneurial & Pivot Quickly
Embrace Diversity & Inclusion Strive for Simplicity

iHerb Benefits
At iHerb we are dedicated to offering programs designed to help our employees and their families stay healthy live well and plan for their financial future. Built on a strong foundation our programs provide options and upgrades with flexibility protection and security in mind. For the comprehensive benefitslist visit our international team members you may be eligible forbenefitsdepending on the country where you are Acquisition Partner/local HR representative will go over thebenefitsyou are eligible for.

iHerb is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or veteran status. iHerb provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment.