Title:  Customs Rater

Descartes Unites the People and Technology that Move the World

The need for efficient, secure, and agile supply chains and logistics operations has become ever more critical and complex.  By combining innovative technology, powerful trade intelligence and the reach of our network, Descartes helps get goods, information, transportation assets, and people where they’re needed, when they’re needed. 

We’re one of the most broadly deployed logistics and supply chain technology companies in the world. More than 26,000 customers around the globe use our cloud-based solutions to transform the way they move inventory and information to enhance productivity, better serve customers, thrive competitively, keep pace with evolving regulations, and respond to rapidly changing market conditions. Descartes is publicly traded (Nasdaq:DSGX, TSX:DSG) with headquarters in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and offices and partners around the world. With record financial performance for more than 16 years, we lead the industry in innovation investment. Every day, logistics service providers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and other logistics-intensive businesses of all sizes rely on our scale, stability, and comprehensive solution footprint to move what’s most important to them. Learn more at www.descartes.com.

We’re growing fast and invite you to join our amazing team. 

Mission — Why the Job Exists

The Customs Rater helps keep customer shipments moving across the Canadian border by accurately processing shipment and trip information and ensuring required data is submitted to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on time. This role provides an opportunity to develop hands-on knowledge of border customs clearance while contributing to reliable, responsive service for Descartes customers.

Outcomes — What Success Looks Like

1. Support timely customs clearance by actively monitoring and prioritizing work queues so required shipment and trip data is submitted to CBSA within appropriate timelines.
2. Maintain a high level of processing accuracy by carefully reviewing shipment documentation, interpreting required information, and entering complete and accurate data into Descartes’ proprietary software.
3. Proactively monitor shipment acceptance by tracking work queues for responses from regulatory authorities and taking appropriate follow-up action when issues arise.
4. Help prevent border delays by monitoring shipment ETAs and contacting customs brokers at the appropriate time to support the clearance process.
5. Provide responsive customer service by communicating professionally with customers by phone and email to clarify information, answer questions, and resolve processing issues.
6. Provide dependable operational coverage by successfully working rotating morning, evening, and overnight shifts, including Saturdays, Sundays, and Statutory Holidays, and supporting limited overtime when required.
7. Contribute beyond the immediate team by supporting related Descartes departments and work assignments as business needs arise.

Skills & Competencies — How the Work Gets Done

• Customs-related education or training; a CCS qualification is an asset.
• Ability to review shipment documentation and accurately identify and interpret information required for customs processing.
• Strong analytical and clerical skills with careful attention to accuracy and detail.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, particularly when managing a time-sensitive work queue.
• Ability to monitor multiple shipments and follow up appropriately based on regulatory status and shipment ETA.
• Computer literacy with strong working skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and email; Microsoft Outlook experience is preferred.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable communicating with customers by phone and email to resolve questions or obtain required information.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customs brokers and internal team members.
• Collaborative team player who can also work reliably and independently.

Schedule Requirements

This position requires the flexibility to work an afternoon schedule (2PM - 10PM EST) and occassional on-call duties on Saturdays and Sundays, and Statutory Holidays. 

What’s in It for You

This role provides an opportunity to build practical experience in the Canadian border customs clearance field while working within an established, experienced team at a growing global technology company.

You’ll gain hands-on exposure to shipment processing, CBSA submissions, customs broker interactions, and Descartes’ proprietary technology while developing your knowledge of customs operations. The role offers the opportunity to broaden your experience by supporting related Descartes teams as business needs evolve.

You’ll work remotely while being part of a fast-paced team where individual accountability and collaboration are equally important. For someone interested in developing a career in customs and border processing, this position provides direct exposure to the day-to-day activities involved in helping customers move goods efficiently across the Canadian border.

Location & Work Authorization

This is a remote opportunity open to individuals who are legally entitled to work in Canada. Descartes does not provide immigration sponsorship for this position. Candidates must have valid authorization to work in Canada at the time of application and throughout their employment.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $40,000–$45,000 CAD.

Compensation information provided is a good-faith estimate for this position only. Factors that may be used to determine actual salary include the candidate’s specific skills and years of experience. Similar positions located in different geographic regions will not necessarily receive the same compensation or currency.

Join Us

As we scale, we’re looking for new doers, collaborators and innovators to join Descartes in uniting the people and technology that move the world as the Global Leader in Logistics and Supply Chain Technology. We’re entrepreneurial, hardworking, geeky-in-a-good way problem solvers. Guided by our values, we nurture a TEAM focused culture that invests in people and creates opportunities for advancement across a broad spectrum of career paths. We prioritize work-life balance and foster an environment with the space to take ownership, to be heard, and to carve a path for your individual accomplishments to help drive our success. At Descartes, everyone has a voice and the best idea wins, regardless of who makes it. We offer competitive compensation, great benefits, remote and flexible work hours, and the opportunity to join a company on an awesome mission with a great existing team and trajectory.

Descartes also has a deep sense of environmental responsibility. Learn more about how we helped our customers save over 552,000 metric tons of CO2 in 2020 by reducing fuel and paper consumption: https://www.descartes.com/who-we-are/social-responsibility-sustainability/environmental-impact.  Join a team that’s committed to working with customers to conserve resources and enhance sustainability.

If you feel you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for, and Descartes sounds like the team and the mission you want to be part of, apply now. We can't promise it will be a fit, but we do promise to consider your experience.

We conduct a mix of in-person and virtual interviews. Virtual interviews are held via Microsoft Teams and are recorded and transcribed. We may utilize AI tools to support our hiring team in notetaking, summarization, and internal training. AI tools are not used in our recruitment process for decision-making purposes. Recordings, transcripts, and notes are used for recruitment, including improvement of our process, and record-keeping purposes. Should you have any questions or concerns about our process, please connect with our hiring team in advance of scheduled interviews. 

We are an Equal Employment employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please review our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics at Descartes.com. Descartes is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. Applicants in North America with a disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process can email us at hrna@descartes.com. Provide your name and contact information along with the accommodation needed to assist you with the application process. Your request will be responded to as soon as possible. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.