Senior Manager Global Trade Compliance

With more than $1B in revenue, Tennant Company is a globally recognized leader in the cleaning equipment industry. For the past 150 years, we have been passionate about developing and manufacturing innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers. At Tennant Company, we are committed to stewardship and creating a cleaner, safer and healthier world. With manufacturing, operations and sales, service, and support functions across the globe, your journey at Tennant can take you places you never expected.

The Global Trade Compliance Senior Manager operates within a center led Global Supply Chain framework and will be responsible for all trade compliance matters and manage all trade compliance teams globally for Tennant Company, reporting directly to the Director of Global Supply Chain COE & Strategy. The position leads a team of 7 global trade compliance analysts and is on-site located at our Global Headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN with a hybrid work model.

This role will lead our global SAP GTS implementation stabilization and then transition to lead Tennant’s global trade compliance strategy, ensuring compliant, efficient, and cost-effective import and export operations worldwide. The role will oversee the development, implementation, and enforcement of trade compliance policies, processes, procedures and trade services systems; supervise and coordinate the activities of the trade compliance team to accomplish all assigned responsibilities; and coordinate with the Sales, Customer Service, Operations, Supply Chain and Transportation functions to ensure the development and execution of compliant business decisions and solutions. This includes but is not limited to advising on the interpretation of trade laws/regulations for export approvals, training content, and requirements for the appropriate action and required documentation for the physical export and/or import of all commodities.

General Responsibilities

SAP S/4HANA + SAP GTS Stabilization & Optimization

• Serve as the acting value stream leader for SAP S/4HANA & GTS regional deployments, overseeing requirement gap closure, end‑to‑end system alignment, and cross‑functional readiness.
• Stabilize SAP GTS in North America and prepare EMEA for go‑live, applying lessons learned, guiding process adoption, and defining KPIs to validate system and business performance.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying enhancements across GTS and S/4HANA, supporting change initiatives, and ensuring alignment with business transformation leaders.
• Own the global SAP GTS product roadmap and represent the GTS workstream in leadership and steering committee meetings to ensure scalable, future‑ready capabilities.

Global Trade Compliance Leadership

• Lead and fully manage Tennant’s global trade compliance and import/export operations, including a team of seven analysts and a long‑tenured SME (25+ yrs).
• Develop and execute Tennant’s end‑to‑end global trade compliance strategy, including Free Trade Agreements, duty exemptions, duty drawback, tariff engineering, valuation processes, first sale, returned goods, and free trade zones.
• Ensure full compliance with EAR, OFAC, ITAR, and global customs regulations, serving as Tennant’s primary global point of contact for trade scenario assessment and regulatory interpretation.
• Monitor global trade actions, regulatory changes, and tariff impacts, analyze performance data, and drive corrective actions to maintain compliance and cost efficiency.

Global Process & Policy Governance

• Standardize and harmonize trade compliance processes, policies, and controls across NA, EMEA, and APAC, ensuring consistency, scalability, and operational readiness.
• Maintain and continuously improve global SOPs, governance frameworks, and IOR/EOR partnerships to support compliant and efficient cross‑border operations.
• Embed trade compliance requirements into key business initiatives across Supply Chain, Customer Service, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Finance.
• Establish proactive audit and monitoring programs, supporting compliance visits and ensuring timely investigation, documentation, and resolution of import/export issues.

Data, Reporting & Tariff Strategy

• Oversee global trade data accuracy, including HTS/ECCN classification, country‑of‑origin, FTA data, and Section 232 materials content.
• Partner with Tennant’s Data Engineering team to develop automated reporting, dashboards, and performance metrics to drive transparency and decision‑making.
• Identify and execute duty‑savings opportunities, tariff mitigation strategies, and cost‑optimization initiatives across Tennant’s global supply chain.
• Support preparation, review, and management of export authorizations, trade records, and customs documentation.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics or business. MBA a plus
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in global trade compliance, including at least 5 years in a leadership role
• Must have working experience with SAP S/4HANA and SAP GTS systems
• Professional certifications a plus (LCB, CGTLP, CUSECO®, CECO)
• Experience and knowledge of U.S. export control and sanctions regulations, including EAR, OFAC, and ITAR
• Experience in developing, implementing, and training on global trade compliance policies and procedures
• Up to 10-20% travel domestically or internally annually as needed.

Required Interpersonal & Behavioral Skills

• Strong people leadership skills; encourage team contributions and team members to support each other
• Team player, proactive, self-motivated, highly organized, ability to handle shifting priorities
• Exercise discretion and independent judgement in the performance of duties and tasks assigned
• Make decisions using sound judgement while complying with policies, procedures, appropriate principles
• Communicate effectively and professionally (both orally and in writing) at all levels of the organization
• Analyze, evaluate, develop and implement processes and procedures assignments within budget and time

Required Leadership Competencies

• Leads confidently through high‑stakes, ambiguous, and rapidly changing situations, taking well‑reasoned risks and standing firm on behalf of the organization.
• Shows strong self‑awareness, actively seeking feedback, leveraging strengths, and understanding how their leadership style impacts teams and stakeholders.
• Navigates complexity with ease, connecting systems, synthesizing diverse information, and anticipating future challenges before they emerge.
• Directs work with clarity and purpose, coordinating cross‑functional efforts, delegating effectively, and removing obstacles to enable team success.
• Demonstrates strong organizational savvy, influencing across formal and informal channels to gain buy‑in, build partnerships, and move strategic initiatives forward.
• Plans and prioritizes with discipline, aligning resources to strategy, communicating clear objectives, and setting achievable yet ambitious timelines.
• Applies a strategic, future‑focused mindset, exploring scenarios, shaping long‑term direction, and building sustainable competitive advantage for the business.

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience: $132,400 - $205,100

Posted salary ranges are made in good faith. Tennant Co. reserves the right to adjust ranges depending on the experience/qualifications of the selected candidate as well as internal and external equity. Total Compensation = Base Salary + Benefits

Benefits = A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), profit sharing, disability, life insurance, paid time off, and voluntary benefits!

Begin your journey with us. Let's reinvent how the world cleans. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tennant Company is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of individual skill, ability, reliability, productivity, and other factors important to performance. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other basis protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.