THOMAS ROBBINS
Indianapolis
Summary
Operations professional with proven track record in optimizing processes and driving efficiency. Strong focus on team collaboration, strategic planning, and achieving measurable results. Adept at adapting to changing needs and leading cross-functional teams. Skilled in project management, process improvement, and resource allocation. Dependable and results-driven, known for enhancing operational performance.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FTZ Operations Manager
Newell Brands Distribution LLC
10.2021 - 01.2025
- Lead project and system implementations for the FTZs.
- Completed the testing for the FTZ software and trained the FTZ administration team on how to operate the software.
- Developed talented team, participating in hiring, coaching, and performance management processes.
- Responsible for oversight of compliance with all applicable company Policies and Procedures.
- Served as the primary resource for the foreign trade zone operations, providing zone services to the various operating divisions as needed.
- Acted as the company subject matter expert regarding FTZ operations.
- Oversaw and/or operated FTZ Inventory Control and Recordkeeping Systems by managing daily inventory balances; monitoring zone admission data; and conducting weekly estimate (import and export) process.
- Oversaw and/or initiated customs entries, export transactions, and zone-to-zone transfers for merchandise leaving the zone. Managed weekly entry of products in accordance with the FDA Weekly Entry program requirements, where approved.
- Ensured that all FTZ records are maintained and readily retrievable in accordance with the applicable recordkeeping regulations.
- Developed, implemented and standardized internal FTZ operating procedures.
- Operations Manager
FTZ Operations Manager
UPS Trade Managed Services
02.2019 - 04.2021
- Responsible for oversight of compliance with all applicable company Policies and Procedures.
- Served as the primary resource for the foreign trade zone operations, providing zone services to the various operating divisions as needed.
- Acted as the company subject matter expert regarding FTZ operations.
- Developed, implemented and standardized internal FTZ operating procedures.
- Assisted company clients in risk management for FTZ purposes by reviewing CBP documentation, auditing FTZ transactions, complying with CBP and FTZ Board requirements.
- Assisted clients in defining scope of problems, determined best methods to measure impact and benefits of proposed solutions and developed long-term plans for FTZ compliance.
- Oversaw and/or operated FTZ Inventory Control and Recordkeeping Systems by managing daily inventory balances; monitoring zone admission data; and conducting weekly estimate (import and export) process.
- Worked with clients to proactively address and resolve any inventory issues; verify inventory transactions, including but not limited to receipts, shipments and inventory adjustments; investigate and take action on overages and shortages; and participate in cycle counts and/or physical inventory activities on a high level but continuous basis.
- Oversaw and/or initiated customs entries, export transactions, and zone-to-zone transfers for merchandise leaving the zone.
- Managed weekly entry of products in accordance with the FDA Weekly Entry program requirements, where approved.
- Ensured that all FTZ records are maintained and readily retrievable in accordance with the applicable recordkeeping regulations.
FTZ Operations Team Lead
UPS Trade Managed Services
06.2016 - 04.2018
- Served as a primary resource for FTZ operations.
- Developed and implemented internal operational procedures.
- Implemented automation to eliminate manual operational tasks.
- Maintained FTZ records and made them readily available in accordance with regulations.
- Acted as a primary contact with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on behalf of clients.
- Served as the primary resource for client CBP audits.
- Served as a primary resource for training on manufacturing events and reconciliation within FTZ systems.
- Assisted with client implementations.
- Identified opportunities to gain efficiencies in operations.
- Participated as a key member in the leadership program.
- Assisted with potential employee candidate interviews and hiring.
- Performed annual staff evaluations and provided recommendations for salary/wage increases.
- Designated operational tasks to staff.
FTZ Administrator
Zone Solutions, LLC
08.2015 - 06.2016
- Primarily responsible for compliant end to end FTZ operations for clients.
- Prepared and submitted all FTZ forms to CBP, to include daily 214; weekly 3461/7501; quarterly HMF, annual reconciliation, systems review and 216 filing.
- Provided monthly reports to clients, to include FTZ Duty Savings, On-Hand Inventory, and Shipment Statistics.
- Ensured accuracy and compliance of all data prior to submission to CBP.
- Responsible for inventory control and reconciliation for multiple clients.
- Demonstrated a working knowledge of multiple FTZ Software systems.
- Assisted with troubleshooting discrepancies or systemic errors.
Trade Analyst/Import-Export
Zone Solutions, LLC
06.2014 - 08.2015
- Acted as a primary contact for Exports and Imports.
- Generated, transmitted, and provided 7512 documentation to clients.
- Reviewed new customer requests and manually entered data into a centralized database.
- Worked at a rapid pace to meet tight deadlines.
FTZ Operations Assistant
Zone Solutions, LLC
03.2011 - 06.2014
- Reviewed and provided comments on the adequacy of shipping documents and took necessary steps to cure any deficiencies.
- Input shipment information into a respective FTZ software.
- Audited 214 detail to ensure accuracy and provided the information to the client owner.
- Ensured all client information remained confidential.
Education
High School Diploma - Honors
Avon High School
Avon, IN06.2008
No Degree -
Indiana University, Bloomington
Bloomington, INSkills
- Strategic decision making
- Operations management
- Organization and efficiency
- Strong problem solver
- Multitasking and prioritization
- High knowledge of multiple FTZ systems (Integration Point, EZFTZ, Questa Web, GTK, SAP)
- Strong mathematical skills
- Project Management
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Team leadership
- Prominent in FTZ Regulations
- Planning and implementation
Certification
FTZ Compliance & Operations Training (CBP/Customs-focused workshop) - 2022
Pursuing Brokers License - October 2025
Pursuing Certified Customs Specialist Certification - 2025
Timeline
FTZ Operations Manager
Newell Brands Distribution LLC
10.2021 - 01.2025
FTZ Operations Manager
UPS Trade Managed Services
02.2019 - 04.2021
FTZ Operations Team Lead
UPS Trade Managed Services
06.2016 - 04.2018
FTZ Administrator
Zone Solutions, LLC
08.2015 - 06.2016
Trade Analyst/Import-Export
Zone Solutions, LLC
06.2014 - 08.2015
FTZ Operations Assistant
Zone Solutions, LLC
03.2011 - 06.2014
High School Diploma - Honors
Avon High School
No Degree -
Indiana University, Bloomington
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