Head of Customs Brokerage

Back to all rolesOpenCustomsHead of Customs BrokerageUnited States / Remote·Full TimeApplyAbout Nuvocargo**Nuvocargo is a native AI-enabled freight brokerage and transportation management platform built for cross-border US-Mexico trade. We combine technology, carrier relationships, and operational expertise to help shippers move goods smarter across one of the world's most complex freight corridors. Our customs brokerage team is a critical capability — and we're building it to be best-in-class.The RoleWe're looking for a licensed, bilingual customs broker to lead Nuvocargo's customs brokerage practice. This is a player-coach role: you'll own the operational execution of customs clearance while building and mentoring a small, growing team across Laredo and Mexico City. You'll serve as the subject matter expert on compliance, classification, and documentation — and be the escalation point when the complexity exceeds what the team can handle independently. You'll report directly to the COO and work cross-functionally with our cross-border, carrier, and managed transportation teams. This is a rare opportunity to shape the customs function at a well-capitalized, technology-forward freight company that's growing fast.What You'll DoOperations & ComplianceOwn day-to-day customs clearance operations for US imports and exports across the US-Mexico borderServe as the primary escalation point for complex entries, compliance issues, and time-sensitive shipmentsEnsure all clearance activity meets CBP, ACE, ABI, and USMCA requirementsMaintain and enforce internal compliance standards, SOPs, and documentation protocolsOversee classification (HTS), valuation, and admissibility determinationsTeam LeadershipLead and develop a team of 4 — 2 US-based (Laredo) and 2 in Mexico City — with a player-coach orientationBuild operational capacity and create a path for the team to handle higher complexity over timeHire, onboard, and develop team members as the business scalesCustomer OwnershipServe as the senior point of contact for customs-related customer communicationsOwn 100% customer retention and identify expansion opportunities in partnership with sales and account managementBuild trusted relationships with key shipper contacts, particularly those with high-frequency or high-complexity border programsTravel to customer sites as needed for relationship management and onboardingProcess & TechnologyPartner with Nuvocargo's product and ops teams to improve customs workflows within NuvoOS, our native TMSIdentify automation opportunities and help define how AI tooling can reduce manual work in the clearance processMaintain accurate records and ensure data integrity across entries and filingsWhat We're Looking ForRequired Active Licensed Customs Broker (CHB) — non-negotiableBilingual in English and Spanish — professional fluency required3–10 years of experience in customs brokerage, with meaningful US-Mexico cross-border exposureHands-on experience with ACE, ABI, HTS classification, C-TPAT, FAST lanes, and related compliance frameworksStrong working knowledge of USMCA, DODA, PAPS/PARS, and Carta PorteProven ability to manage customer relationships and escalations with a high degree of professionalismPreferred Based in or deeply familiar with the Laredo, TX border marketCross-border (MX-US) customs / operational knowledgeExperience leading or mentoring a customs team, even informallyFamiliarity with TMS platforms and an interest in technology-forward operationsCommercial exposure — existing customer relationships or a track record of supporting business development are a plusExperience with alcohol, food, or other regulated commodity clearancesWhat We OfferCompetitive base salary (range discussed during the interview process) plus performance-based bonusOpportunity to build and lead a function from a relatively early stage at a growing companyDirect access to and partnership with company leadershipA technology-forward environment — we invest in tools that...