OpenAI needs to build and scale its global trade function to support compute acquisition and programs across R&D and infrastructure, ensuring compliance, resilience, and scalability for its AI development.
Requirements
- 12+ years of experience in customs, COO determinations, substantial transformation, HTS classification, and import compliance.
- Deep knowledge of HTS classification, customs valuation rules, export-control law, and preferential trade agreements.
- A track record of managing customs and export compliance interactions and disputes.
- Hands-on experience implementing or managing trade compliance software and ERP modules (e.g., SAP GTS, Descartes, Amber Road/E2Open, OCR).
- Experience building global trade programs in high-growth or hardware environments.
- Experience thriving in ambiguity, building from 0 to 1, and driving automation over manual processes.
Responsibilities
- Advise on global trade strategy across country-of-origin (COO) planning, tariff exposure, and global supply chain structure for compute and R&D initiatives.
- Review supplier contracts with a focus on tariff, duty, and trade compliance provisions.
- Ensure customs valuation is aligned with transfer pricing frameworks.
- Select, configure, and manage global trade compliance software and ERP integrated trade modules to ensure systemic classification/COO/valuation logic.
- Establish data integrity, automation, and reporting frameworks for import/export records and classification data.
- Lead customs and import operations, including HTS classification, customs broker management, clearance operations, customs inquiries/disputes, and audit readiness.
- Build our export compliance program, policies, and procedures, including classification, licensing, recordkeeping, investigations, and enforcement responses.
Other
- Build and scale OpenAI’s global trade function, spanning inbound customs, export controls, trade systems, and cross-border operations.
- Partner closely with Legal, Hardware, Supply Chain, Finance, Tax, and Policy to create a compliant, resilient, and scalable foundation that supports compute acquisition and programs across R&D and infrastructure.
- This is a strategic operator role that blends leadership with hands-on program development, systems design, and team building to accelerate the safe and responsible development of AGI.
- Develop global internal controls, risk monitoring, and audit frameworks that scale with the business.
- Partner with Hardware Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Tax, and Legal to embed trade considerations in manufacturing and sourcing choices.
- Build and lead a high-performing trade compliance and import operations team that scales with OpenAI’s growth.
- A JD or trade counsel background (highly preferred).
- Strong communication skills and the ability to influence senior partners in operations, legal, engineering, and policy.
