Head of Global Trade

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Reporting to the Head of Indirect Tax and Global Trade, the Head of Global Trade is responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing the operational execution of global trade and tariff compliance across all jurisdictions, with a particular focus on the U.S. and Europe. This expert-level role ensures full regulatory compliance, drives cost-optimization opportunities, and supports alignment with Lonza’s global supply chain and tax strategies in a complex, high-stakes environment.

Sitting at the intersection of finance, supply chain/operations, and legal/regulatory, the role requires extensive collaboration across these and other key functions. The Head of Global Trade leads and develops a small global team of trade specialists (4–6 direct reports, including two GG13 roles based in the US and Europe), with a strong emphasis on upskilling, leadership development, and change management.

The ideal candidate brings a deep theoretical and practical understanding of international trade regulations and tariff compliance—particularly within the US and European contexts—paired with strong business acumen, ability to communicate with key stakeholders, and the ability to grow and mentor a high-performing specialist team.

This role may be based in Morristown, NJ; Portsmouth, NH; or Manchester, UK.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement and maintain a global trade strategy

• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations and adherence to strategy

• Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on trade-related risks and opportunities in a fast changing and complex environment with increasing tariff barriers

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including finance, legal, regulatory affairs, and operations, to ensure trade and customs aspects are well understood and considered.

• Monitor changes in trade and customs legislation and assess their impact on Lonza, incl. cost reduction / risk mitigation options

• Drive complex and typically cross functional trade-related projects, ensuring delivery on time and on budget

Operational Execution

• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential compliance issues and implement corrective actions.

• Oversee implementation of trade technology platforms, drive automation and promote adoption of AI-based tools.

• Oversee audits, training, and day-to-day compliance operations performed by the trade team.

Team Leadership

• Foster a highly performing global trade team by setting clear directions, coaching team members, and promoting collaboration, transparency, continuous learning and development opportunities.

• Drive organizational development through talent planning, succession strategies, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Skills

• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of international trade regulations and customs compliance; in-depth experience with US trade regulations and practice is a strong plus

• Ability to think and act strategically while being able to execute on operational deliverables

• Business acumen; experience pertaining to the CDMO, Pharmaceutical or Chemical industry is a plus.

• Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization in achievement of goals

• Strong people leadership skills; proven ability to build and develop a highly performing trade organization across various countries

• Thrives in a global company with strong US and Swiss / European footprint. Prior working experience in several countries is a plus

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Strong communication, project management and collaboration skills

• Affinity with technology solutions

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and job-related knowledge. Full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including performance-related bonus, medical and dental coverage, 401k plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off (PTO), and more.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.