Manager Trade Operations, Penang, MALAYSIA, Malaysia

Company Description

Job Description

Primary Function of Position
The Manager, Trade Compliance, Penang Plant is responsible for leading import and export activities that support manufacturing operations at the Penang License Manufacturing Warehouse. The role ensures timely and compliant movement of materials, components, finished goods, equipment, and other plant-related shipments while maintaining full adherence to Malaysian customs, trade, regulatory, and internal compliance requirements. This position serves as the site owner for trade compliance activities, including customs declarations, bonded or licensed warehouse requirements, import/export permits, classification data,
country of origin, valuation support, recordkeeping, broker performance, internal controls, audits, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will bring strong trade operations experience, practical customs and trade compliance knowledge, and the ability to work cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Procurement, external brokers, freight forwarders, and government authorities.

Essential Job Duties

Lead day-to-day import and export operations for the Penang plant, ensuring materials, components, finished goods, equipment, and other shipments move on time and in compliance with applicable requirements.
Manage logistics activities supporting the License Manufacturing Warehouse, including customs-controlled inventory movements, licensed warehouse conditions, documentation, reporting, reconciliation, and record retention.
Ensure site compliance with Malaysian customs, import/export, bonded or licensed warehouse, free zone, permit, and other applicable trade regulatory requirements.
Oversee customs declarations and supporting documentation for imports and exports, including invoice accuracy, HS classification, country of origin, valuation support, Incoterms, permit requirements, and shipment records.
Partner with customs brokers, freight forwarders, transportation providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliant and efficient clearance, delivery, export processing, and issue resolution.
Serve as the plant subject matter expert for trade compliance and provide guidance to Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Procurement, Engineering, and Warehouse teams on import/export requirements.
Identify logistics process gaps, compliance risks, and operational inefficiencies, and implement corrective actions, process improvements, automation opportunities, and sustainable controls.
Maintain site metrics and reporting for import/export performance, customs clearance, broker service levels, compliance issues, audit findings, risk areas, and improvement plans.
Support new product introductions, manufacturing changes, supplier changes, equipment movements, and project shipments by assessing logistics and compliance requirements before execution.
Communicate regulatory updates, company policies, procedural changes, risks, and escalation items to plant leadership and relevant cross-functional stakeholders.
Perform other logistics, compliance, operational support, and special project duties as assigned.
Develop, implement, and maintain plant-level logistics and trade compliance procedures, work instructions, controls, and training materials to support sustainable operations.
Monitor and manage compliance activities within the plant, including internal audits, broker audits, shipment reviews, import/export recordkeeping, inventory reconciliation, and corrective action follow-up.
Coordinate timely responses to customs authority inquiries, inspections, audits, permit questions, post-clearance reviews, and other government or regulatory requests.
Support master data governance for trade-related data elements in SAP and other systems, including product classification, country of origin, Free Trade Agreement, valuation attributes, license or permit indicators, and shipment compliance flags.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

Strong working knowledge of trade operations, import/export processes, customs clearance, transportation coordination, warehouse controls, and plant support activities.
Practical knowledge of Malaysian customs and trade compliance requirements, including licensed manufacturing warehouse requirements, duty suspension or exemption controls, permits, declarations, documentation, and post-clearance obligations.
Experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders, transportation providers, and third-party logistics partners to deliver compliant and reliable import/export execution.
Ability to interpret and apply trade data elements such as HS classification, country of origin, Free Trade Agreement, customs valuation, Incoterms, import/export permits, and supporting shipment documentation.
Experience developing and maintaining SOPs, work instructions, internal controls, audit processes, training materials, and compliance improvement plans.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills with the ability to identify process gaps and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Ability to work effectively with plant leadership, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Procurement, Engineering, Warehouse, and regional or global compliance teams.
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain compliance requirements clearly and influence stakeholders at site and regional levels.
Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with SAP, global trade systems, broker portals, or other logistics systems is preferred.
Detail oriented, highly organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing and logistics environment with minimal guidance.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive business, regulatory, and compliance information.
Must be a team player and able to work both independently and collaboratively across functions, countries, and external service providers.

Required Education and Training

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Trade, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in logistics operations, import/export operations, customs compliance, trade compliance, warehouse operations, or manufacturing site logistics.
Experience supporting a licensed manufacturing warehouse, bonded warehouse, free zone, duty suspension, or similar customs-controlled operating model is strongly preferred.
Relevant professional certification in customs, trade compliance, logistics, supply chain, or import/export operations is preferred.

Preferred Skills and Experience

Experience with the importation and exportation of medical devices, components, capital equipment, or other regulated products.
Experience working in a manufacturing plant environment with close coordination across production, planning, quality, engineering, warehouse, and finance teams.
Experience with SAP S/4HANA, SAP GTS, global trade management systems, broker platforms, warehouse management systems, or transportation management tools.
Prior experience dealing with Malaysian customs authorities, license manufacturing warehouse audits, customs inspections, or post-clearance reviews.
Experience leading continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, automation, or logistics process optimization initiatives.
Strong command of English; proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia is an advantage.
Experience with the importation and exportation of medical devices, components, capital equipment, or other regulated products.
Experience working in a manufacturing plant environment with close coordination across production, planning, quality, engineering, warehouse, and finance teams.
Experience with SAP S/4HANA, SAP GTS, global trade management systems, broker platforms, warehouse management systems, or transportation management tools.
Prior experience dealing with Malaysian customs authorities, license manufacturing warehouse audits, customs inspections, or post-clearance reviews.
Experience leading continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, automation, or logistics process optimization initiatives.
Strong command of English; proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia is an advantage.

Additional Information

Intuitive is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer: In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.