Hello, I'm Sabine Hoppe
International Trade Compliance Leader
with a proven success record of helping Business Units to integrate trade regulations into their business processes.
Work History
11/2016 – 06/2021
Export Control & Customs Project Executive Siemens Corporation, Orlando, Florida, USA
Global Export Control and Customs project guidance and execution for corporate and country specific requirements. Develop and implement strategies for process improvements, internal control program enhancement and business transformation for global headquarter function in Germany:
- Developed training programs for Export and Customs professionals as well as for business functions to ensure company-wide awareness and adherence to Export and Customs Compliance and to provide controlled messaging globally.
- Established 70% broker reduction by reviewing and evaluating broker performances by guiding local Customs team onsite for 3 months in South Africa and implementing broker management solution.
- Reduced open remediation actions by 80% within 3 months by collaborating directly with local export compliance teams worldwide to ensure proper completion of internal improvement activities.
01/2015 – 10/2016
Head of Export Control and Customs
Siemens Ltd, Beijing, China
Global Export and Custom Control for China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Leading all facets of compliance and operations for the international organization including 60 subsidiaries. Analyze and implement strategies for process improvements, business transformation, and corporation objectives.
- Implemented 3rd party Customs Processing Software for 35 Business Units in China to reduce broker cost by 50% and increase compliance rating with Chinese Customs by collaborating closely with local Customs teams, internal stakeholders and guiding the project team.
- Led the merger of compliance and operations as part of business optimization, further developed the governance function and established the Center of Expertise to increase the value to the Business Units. Developed and empowered a team of 8 direct reports in trade compliance and 55+ indirect reports in import and export operations through comprehensive coaching and training.
10/2012 - 12/2014
Global Portfolio Manager, Trade Support Services
Siemens Corporation - Global Shared Services NA, TSS, Orlando, FL
Provided leadership and support for Multinational Corporation in trade support services and export compliance. Developed and implemented an export compliance program for 14+ operating companies across the US, including strategies for best-in-class solutions for import and export international trade.
· Implement Strategies: Consult, structure, lead and drive the implementation of Trade Support Services within a Cluster / Country or Sector / Divisions or Central Functions globally to ensure operational compliance in the day to day execution of international trade.
· Leadership Skills: Guide teams of Customs and export specialists in multiple international locations. Direct activities of import / export staff to ensure consistent service performance and standardized workflows.
· Process Improvements: Continuously develop and improve in-house solutions to achieve higher automation. Conduct frequent process analysis and service life-cycle management to achieve process maturity.
· Customer Focus: Grow market share on the global footprint to ensure standardized and efficient export / import operations. Ensure good customer relationships and present business cases for cost reductions for the customers.
· Additional project work: Conduct internal reviews of export & customs compliance program for Siemens AG globally. Lead taskforce for export & customs compliance program implementation in China.
08/2007 – 09/2012
Director, Import / Export & Trade Services
Siemens Corporation - Global Shared Services NA, IETS, Orlando, FL
· Implement Strategies: Develop and implement strategies for providing best-in-class solutions for import / export & trade activities for Siemens Operating Companies (SOC’s) in the U.S. in order to standardize processes in alignment with U.S. Government regulations and Siemens internal requirements – reduced import errors by 15% by implementing Broker score cards / monitoring; established automated audit function for import transactions to increase compliance rating.
· Leadership Skills: Lead a team of Customs Brokers, Customs specialists and export specialists. Direct activities of import / export staff and ensure efficient education on technical skills, quality, and customer service. Support upper Management in implementing Service Level Agreements and developing business strategies to expand service offerings in import / export & trade service areas.
· Customer Focus: Ensure good customer relationships and implement sufficient customer reports, performance measurements and issue resolution. Engage customers in service performance discussions and new service offerings. Analyze SOC’s import / export activities to meet specific customer requirements as well as to achieve savings / benefits for the SOC’s (Duty savings of $2M in NAFTA and Duty Drawback Programs)
· Process Improvements: Continuously develop and improve in-house solutions to achieve higher automation and transparency for import / export transactions processing and billing – increased automation for import processing from 40% to 85%.
· Technical Skills: Lead development of import / export processes and procedures, training material for export & import compliance / operations. Manage product and technology classifications (ECCN & US HTS); Export licensing for commodities and technology (Bureau of Industry & Security, OFAC, Department of State); Effective pre- and post-entry audit systems for import transactions (including validation and reconciliation). Corporate Export & Customs Compliance officer for GSS NA.
12/2002 - 07/2007
Manager, Export Compliance
Siemens Shared Services, IETS, Orlando, FL
· Export Compliance Program: Developed, implemented, and supported Export Compliance Program for all (14+) Siemens Operating Companies (SOC’s) in the U.S. Developed technology control plans and standard operating procedures for SOC specific requirements as well as integrated new acquisitions. Provided export classifications (ECCN, USML, HTS).
· U.S. Export Regulations & Siemens Internal Requirements: Monitored regulatory changes in EAR, Encryption Regulations, OFAC Sanctions, and ITAR as well as developed Siemens internal requirements and implemented requirements into Siemens Export Compliance Program and automated control systems.
· Regulatory Interpretations and Advice: Interpreted and provided regulatory advice to Siemens US Operating Companies, Siemens AG Corporate Export Control and Customs and SOC’s to ensure compliance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations and other U.S. laws governing exports and reexports; Discussed regulatory issues with representative form US Government agencies.
· Training: Developed training materials for compliance with regulatory and internal requirements and conducted training seminars.
· Audits: Developed audit program and audit tool together with Operational Audit team and conducted on-site audits, and established regular monitoring systems.
· Export & Reexport Licenses: Managed export and reexport license process; advised Siemens companies worldwide that require US export/reexport licenses and acted as a liaison to various US Government agencies.
· Departmental Performance Measurements: Managed quality performance measures for SSL Management and customers. Prepared Board presentations for SSL Management; Presented to SOC’s CFO’s. Conducted internal business reviews.
04/2001 – 11/2002
Manager, Corporate Export Control & Customs
Siemens AG, GPL-CEC, Munich, Germany
· Global Responsibility for Compliance with US-Reexport Regulations: Responsible for ensuring global compliance with US reexport regulations. Developed and implemented all relevant US regulations in the Siemens AG export compliance program.
· Guidelines and Regulatory Advice: Supported Siemens AG groups and Siemens affiliates worldwide with guidelines for compliance and provide regulatory advice. Supported Siemens SSL with licensing issues for export and reexport.
· Training: Developed training material and provided training.
· Audits: Guest auditor together with Siemens AG Audit Group for internal audits of the Siemens AG groups for export and custom compliance.
· Process Development: Maintained Siemens purchasing and logistics process descriptions and procedures for export compliance and customs requirements.
04/1992 – 03/2001
Supervisor & Group Lead, Export Compliance, Customs & Transportation
Phillips Semiconductors, Hamburg Germany
· Export and Customs Compliance Program: Responsible for compliance with German and European export and customs regulations. Implemented internal export compliance program and organization of Export Control Officers. Contact person for German authorities and participated in working groups of German Business Associations. License processing and ensuring compliance with license conditions.
· Group Leader for Export/Import operations: Led 13 employees in warehousing, picking/ packing, export/import operations, logistics and transportation. Implemented improved procedures and processes for export and import operations.
· Transportation Management: Managed worldwide transportation requirements (mainly air and road traffic), contracting forwarders and integrators as well as measuring performance of freight forwarder.
· Training & Audits: Developed training manuals and provided training for export and customs compliance. Contact person for both internal and government audits.
· Maintained Export Order Processing System: Developed, maintained and updated Philips’ internal software for export processing & export compliance system together with IT department. Created and maintained department website.
· Processed Materials & Financial Flows: Installed unique process descriptions and requirements for Philips together with the Logistics, Finance & Accounting and Business Development Departments.
· Projects: Implemented SAP for Purchasing and Warehousing within Philips worldwide. Implemented Security Area in the warehouse and transportation zone for security controlled products
07/1989 – 03/1992
Export Sales Administrator
Roting GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
· Sales Support: Sales service support to internal customers in the US, Brazil, Norway and Jordan.
· Order Processing: Issued offers, created order confirmation, tracked order process.
· Export Shipments: Prepared and issued export documentation and managed freight forwarder.
· Export Payments: Obtained Letter of Credits and ensured terms and condition for payment were satisfied.
08/1986 - 06/1989
Apprenticeship Program, Domestic & International Trade
Ferra Tools GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
Domestic and international trade rules and regulations, purchasing, warehousing order processing, transportation, export requirements and export financing.
Certificate: International Trade Administration (Groß- und Aussenhandelskauffrau)
