Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head Trade Defense with a strong legal background and deep expertise in international trade laws to lead the organizations trade defense strategy. This role will be responsible for shaping, directing, and representing the companys position on global and domestic trade matters, particularly within the steel sector. The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years of experience, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to engage with government bodies, trade associations, and international stakeholders to safeguard the companys commercial and regulatory interests.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Trade Defense Leadership:

- Define and lead the companys overall trade defense strategy across domestic and international markets.

- Anticipate and assess the impact of evolving global trade policies, protectionist measures, and regulatory changes on the business.

- Act as the subject matter authority on trade defense issues for senior management and cross-functional teams.

2. International Trade Law & Policy Oversight:

- Provide expert guidance on FTA, ADD, CEPA, WTO provisions, safeguard measures, CAROTAR, TBT, and Rules of Origin.

- Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of responses to anti-dumping, safeguard, and countervailing duty investigations.

- Ensure the companys positions are legally sound, commercially aligned, and defensible before regulators and authorities.

3. Government & Regulatory Engagement:

- Lead engagement with key government bodies including Ministries, CBIC, DGTR, Customs authorities, and other regulatory agencies.

- Represent the company in consultations, hearings, and discussions related to trade policy, customs, and import/export regulations.

- Track, interpret, and provide strategic input on regulatory drafts, notifications, and amendments impacting the steel industry.

4. Industry & Trade Body Representation:

- Act as the primary liaison with Indian Steel Association and other industry forums, influencing policy advocacy and collective trade actions.

- Coordinate and validate data submissions to trade bodies and ministries to support industry-wide representations.

- Build strong external networks with legal experts, economists, consultants, and trade associations globally.

5. Data, Research & Economic Analysis:

- Oversee high-quality data collection, validation, and analysis to support trade defense cases and policy representations.

- Provide strategic interpretation of global economic and trade trends across Europe, the US, China, ASEAN, Middle East, Japan, and Korea.

- Translate economic insights into actionable recommendations for business leadership.

6. Compliance & Risk Management:

- Ensure end-to-end compliance with trade-related schemes and regulations including RoDTEP, SIMS, QCOs, NTBs, Melt & Pour criteria, and customs procedures.

- Identify and mitigate trade-related legal and regulatory risks impacting imports, exports, and sourcing strategies.

- Establish internal governance frameworks and best practices for trade compliance.

7. Stakeholder & Internal Leadership:

- Advise senior leadership on trade-related risks, opportunities, and strategic decisions.

- Lead, mentor, and develop the trade defense team, building long-term organizational capability.

- Collaborate closely with legal, commercial, procurement, supply chain, and finance teams to ensure aligned execution.

Key Skills & Qualifications:

- Law Graduate (LLB / LLM preferred) with 10+ years of experience in international trade law and trade defense.

- Strong expertise in global trade defense mechanisms, customs laws, FTAs, ADD, CEPA, WTO frameworks, and economic agreements.

- Prior experience in the steel industry or core manufacturing sector is highly preferred.

- Proven ability to engage with government authorities, trade bodies, and industry associations at a senior level.

- Strong analytical capability with experience in data-driven trade defense arguments.

- Deep understanding of global trade dynamics across Europe, US, China, ASEAN, Middle East, Japan, and Korea.

- Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.