Director Border Operations

The Director, Border Operations is responsible for leading Clarios’ North American border operations strategy and execution, ensuring the safe, compliant, cost-effective, and uninterrupted movement of materials across the United States and Mexico border network.

This strategic leadership role oversees cross-border transportation, warehousing, hazardous materials and hazardous waste management, permit administration, regulatory engagement, supplier governance, and border risk mitigation. The Director partners closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, Trade Compliance, EHS, Operations, Finance, Government Affairs, and Commercial teams to support Clarios’ closed-loop recycling network and manufacturing operations.

Beyond operational leadership, this role serves as a key integrator between the U.S. and Mexico organizations, aligning priorities, influencing stakeholders, and driving cross-border collaboration that supports enterprise growth, compliance, and operational excellence.

What You’ll Do (Impact Areas)

Border Operations Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the North America Border Operations strategy supporting cross-border movement of batteries, cores, lead, components, hazardous materials, and hazardous waste.
• Establish long-term roadmaps that enhance border resilience, reduce risk, and support sustainable business growth.
• Serve as the executive owner of border operations performance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Lead and develop a high-performing border operations organization across the United States and Mexico.
• Provide strategic oversight of import/export permitting programs and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Operational Excellence & Service Continuity

• Ensure uninterrupted northbound and southbound material flow throughout the North American supply chain network.
• Identify and mitigate operational bottlenecks, border delays, capacity constraints, and compliance risks.
• Develop contingency plans and business continuity strategies to minimize supply chain disruptions.
• Drive improvements in lead times, inventory management, service levels, and asset utilization.
• Oversee permit administration, utilization reporting, renewals, and compliance documentation.
• Maintain visibility into all cross-border flows, including volumes, values, routes, and permit consumption.
• Strengthen border resiliency through diversified transportation strategies, including rail, intermodal, and contingency network solutions.

Regulatory & Government Affairs Engagement

• Lead strategic relationships with regulatory authorities and government agencies.
• Represent Clarios with organizations such as SEMARNAT, PROFEPA, EPA, Customs Authorities, CBP, and other regulatory stakeholders.
• Develop and execute regulatory engagement and advocacy strategies.
• Actively participate in industry associations and border-related organizations.
• Foster collaborative relationships that support regulatory alignment and compliant border operations.
• Ensure regulatory interactions are proactive, consistent, and professionally managed.

Financial Leadership & Cost Optimization

• Own border operations performance metrics and financial outcomes.
• Identify and execute cost reduction initiatives across transportation, warehousing, permitting, and border processes.
• Improve working capital performance through inventory optimization and flow management strategies.
• Develop financial models and decision frameworks that support lowest-total-cost supply chain decisions.
• Lead cost optimization initiatives, including best-cost-country strategies and supplier network enhancements.
• Drive transparency in end-to-end cross-border cost structures and performance reporting.

Strategic Influence & Bilateral Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between U.S. and Mexico organizations.
• Build strong relationships with executive leaders and functional stakeholders across regions.
• Lead through influence in a matrixed environment where direct authority may not exist.
• Facilitate alignment of operational, regulatory, commercial, and strategic priorities.
• Resolve conflicting business objectives and drive enterprise-wide solutions.
• Support cross-regional initiatives requiring coordination, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory expertise.

Supplier & Partner Governance

• Oversee relationships with customs brokers, transportation providers, warehouse operators, and logistics partners.
• Establish performance management frameworks and governance processes for external suppliers.
• Ensure service providers meet operational, compliance, safety, and performance expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the cross-border logistics network.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with customs regulations, permits, environmental requirements, and hazardous materials regulations.
• Lead inspections, audits, corrective actions, and continuous compliance improvement efforts.
• Establish monitoring processes for permit utilization, capacity risk, and regulatory obligations.
• Develop mitigation plans for operational, regulatory, and geopolitical risks affecting border operations.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, accountability, and operational excellence across the organization.

What Success Looks Like

• Cross-border material flows operate with minimal disruption and high service reliability.
• Regulatory compliance is maintained across all border operations activities.
• Border permit administration is optimized with no interruptions caused by permit capacity or expiration issues.
• Supply chain resiliency is strengthened through diversified transportation and contingency planning.
• Measurable reductions are achieved in transportation, warehousing, and border-related operating costs.
• Strong relationships are established with regulatory agencies, industry groups, and external partners.
• U.S. and Mexico teams maintain alignment around enterprise priorities and strategic objectives.
• Border operations support sustainable business growth while maintaining safety, compliance, and service excellence.
• Long-term governance structures and organizational capabilities are established and sustained beyond the assignment period.

Core Competencies

• Border operations strategy and execution.
• Cross-border logistics and transportation management.
• Regulatory compliance and permit administration.
• Government and agency relations.
• Supply chain risk management.
• Financial leadership and cost optimization.
• Strategic planning and operational excellence.
• Executive communication and stakeholder influence.
• Matrix leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Change management and organizational alignment.
• Supplier governance and relationship management.
• Business continuity planning and resilience.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Team leadership and talent development.

What You Bring (Qualifications)

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, International Trade, or a related field.
• Extensive experience leading U.S.-Mexico border operations, logistics, transportation, or supply chain functions.
• Deep knowledge of customs regulations, border crossings, permit requirements, and cross-border transportation processes.
• Experience managing hazardous materials and hazardous waste transportation and compliance programs.
• Strong understanding of permit administration, utilization tracking, reporting, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven leadership experience in highly matrixed, multinational organizations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience driving cost optimization and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives involving multiple business units and regions.
• Ability to influence executive leaders and drive alignment without direct authority.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, International Trade, or a related field.
• Experience within manufacturing, automotive, recycling, environmental services, or industrial operations.
• Experience working directly with U.S. and Mexican regulatory agencies.
• Knowledge of rail, intermodal, and international freight transportation strategies.
• Experience managing government affairs, industry associations, or regulatory advocacy initiatives.
• Professional certifications related to supply chain, transportation, customs compliance, or logistics management.

Work Model & Travel

• Scope: North America (United States and Mexico).
• Work Model: Hybrid, based on business and operational requirements.
• Travel: Frequent travel required between U.S. and Mexico operations, regulatory agencies, suppliers, warehouses, border crossings, and manufacturing locations.
• Assignment Duration: Two-year strategic leadership assignment focused on building sustainable operational capabilities and governance structures.

Our Commitment to You

• Opportunity to lead one of the most critical supply chain functions supporting Clarios’ North American operations.
• Exposure to executive leadership and enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.
• The ability to shape the future of cross-border operations, regulatory engagement, and supply chain resilience.
• A collaborative and global environment focused on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.
• Opportunities to drive measurable business impact through cost optimization, risk reduction, and service improvements.
• Professional growth and leadership development within a global organization committed to powering the future of energy storage and circular economy solutions.

About Clarios

Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. You can find more information here (PDF). 

To All Recruitment Agencies

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Equal Employment Opportunity

Clarios, LLC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information, please view EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law (supplement), and Pay Transparency Non-discrimination. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please email Special.Accommodations@Clarios.com.

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