Customs & Compliance Manager
About the job
- In-depth knowledge of import regulations covering classification, valuation, country of origin, free trade, and recordkeeping for apparel, accessories, and footwear.
- Certified Customs Specialist certification or Licensed Customs Broker credentials are required.
- Solid mathematics skills are required.
- Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills are required.
- A bachelor's degree is required; business or supply chain is preferred.
- Six or more years of customs compliance experience at a specialty retailer is strongly preferred.
- The ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively while working independently to meet deadlines is required.
- Drive adherence to import regulations to ensure expeditious and cost-effective supply chain execution.
- Pre-classify imported goods for proper declaration and accurate duty payment calculation at entry into the United States, maintain and share the Harmonized System library with the customs broker, and identify import styles requiring United States Fish and Wildlife declarations.
- Collaborate with the customs broker to renew the import bond annually.
- Partner with Sourcing to identify First Sale for Export duty-savings supplier candidates, coordinate with outside counsel to confirm candidate viability, lead annual First Sale supplier audits, and monitor and report duty savings.
- Confirm duty-free eligibility of styles imported from Free Trade countries, consult with Sourcing on Free Trade strategies, and monitor program expiration dates.
- Initiate the annual Supply Chain Security Risk Assessment as part of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program.
- Update the Import Compliance manual annually and maintain post-entry compliance testing logs.
- Support the Director with new supplier vetting and supplier portfolio maintenance.
- Support annual existing-supplier recertification to J. Jill standards.
- Support annual supplier Corporate Social Responsibility and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism audits.
- Support product license applications associated with trademarked fabrics.
- Support conflict-mineral due diligence.
- Provide sustainability guidance to cross-functional partners.
- Experience with Gerber/Unique Product Lifecycle Management and Oracle is a plus.
- Six or more years of customs compliance experience at a specialty retailer.
About the company
J.Jill sells women's apparel, accessories, and footwear through both online and physical stores, with a focus on inclusive sizing that covers misses, petite, tall, and plus. Its products come in seasonal collections that are refreshed regularly to reflect current fashion trends. Customers shop through direct sales of clothing and accessories, and can use the brand’s own credit card, which offers benefits and discounts.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Tilton, New Hampshire
Founded
1959
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue rose 0.5% to $154.8 million, and adjusted EPS beat expectations.
- Management raised full-year 2026 sales guidance to flat-to-up 2% after stronger product momentum.
- J.Jill plans one to three net-new stores in 2026, including Williston's Maple Tree Place.
What critics are saying
- Q1 2026 sales fell 6.0% and comparable sales dropped 8.7%, exposing demand weakness.
- Tariff pressure hit 2026 margins, with management citing roughly $14.5 million net-cost impact.
- The 2026 shareholder lawsuit investigation and class action threaten distraction, legal costs, and disclosure scrutiny.
What makes J.Jill unique
- J.Jill sells inclusive misses, petite, tall, and plus sizing across channels.
- Its September 2026 denim campaign centers fit, comfort, and authentic real-women storytelling.
- Mary Ellen Coyne and Kimberly Wallengren are rebuilding brand reach and customer engagement.
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Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
401(k) Retirement Plan
Employee Discounts
Flexible Work Hours
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 8%1 year growth
↑ 8%2 year growth
↑ 8%J.Jill to open new store at Maple Tree Place in Williston. Beth McDermott Burlington Free Press Aug. 26, 2026, 4:46 a.m. ET Maple Tree Place is expanding its retail offerings with the addition of women's apparel retailer J.Jill, which plans to open a new store at 28 Walnut St., Suite 110, in Williston. The store will occupy about 2,300 square feet and is under construction, according to a community announcement. J.Jill is known for women's clothing, footwear and accessories. The new location will join the shopping center's existing mix of national retailers, restaurants, local businesses and service providers. A statement from Maple Tree Place said the addition reflects ongoing efforts to attract new retailers to the property. "Attracting high-quality brands like J.Jill is central to our vision for Maple Tree Place. Their arrival reflects the strength of the property, the vitality of the Williston market and our ongoing commitment to creating a dynamic retail environment that serves both local residents and visitors from throughout the region," said Justin Kelley, regional property manager for Maple Tree Place. The store will be located within Maple Tree Place's lifestyle retail district. Details about a grand opening celebration have not yet been announced. This story was produced with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
J. Jill names Coach vet as chief marketing officer. Kimberly Wallengren, who also worked at American Eagle and Adidas, will focus on brand positioning, expanding customer reach and growing consumer engagement. Published May 1, 2026 By Howard Ruben Dive brief: * J. Jill appointed Kimberly Wallengren its chief marketing officer, effective April 27, according to a press release. She reports directly to the retailer's president and CEO, Mary Ellen Coyne. Wallengren is replacing Kara Howard, who was senior vice president of marketing and customer experience, and has left the company. * Wallengren most recently was Coach's vice president of marketing for North America. Prior to that, she served as head of marketing for American Eagle's AE77 sustainable premium denim brand. She also held leadership roles with Adidas and New Balance, where she led marketing campaigns. * As J. Jill's marketing chief, Wallengren will focus on brand positioning, expanding customer reach and growing consumer engagement. Dive insight: Wallengren's appointment follows other recent executive changes at J. Jill. In the past year, the retailer has brought on a new CEO, chief merchandising officer and now a chief marketing officer in Wallengren. "We're excited to welcome Kimberly to J. Jill as we focus on expanding brand awareness and growing our customer file," Coyne said in a statement. "Kimberly brings a strong track record of leading marketing strategies that have attracted new audiences and strengthened engagement with existing customers. She has a deep understanding of today's consumer and a proven ability to translate these insights into impactful campaigns and more effective ways to reach and engage customers, which will be critical as we look to our next phase of growth." J. Jill is coming off a fourth quarter where net sales dropped 3.1% year over year to $138.4 million and comparable sales fell 4.8%. For the year, net sales fell 2.3%. DTC sales in the quarter increased 2.6%, representing 53.5% of total sales. For 2026, the company is projecting net sales to be flat to down 2%, while comp sales are expected to down 1% to 3%.
J.Jill has completed refinancing its existing credit agreement with a new $75 million senior secured five-year term loan facility from Manulife | Comvest Credit Partners. The refinancing replaces the company's previous term loan from April 2023. The apparel retailer expects annual cash interest expense savings of approximately $2 million, excluding one-time accelerated debt issuance costs. CCP Agency serves as administrative agent, collateral agent and sole lead arranger for the facility. Chief Financial and Operating Officer Mark Webb said the refinancing demonstrates the company's commitment to maintaining a strong balance sheet whilst preserving operational and strategic flexibility. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius served as legal adviser on the transaction. J.Jill operates over 200 stores nationwide alongside an e-commerce platform, offering women's apparel, footwear and accessories.
J.Jill hires former Cole Haan exec as chief growth officer. Fashion retailer J.Jill has appointed former Cole Haan executive Viv Rettke to the newly created position of chief growth officer, marking a strategic addition to the retailer's leadership team. Rettke will report directly to CEO Mary Ellen Coyne as she assumes the role, designed to drive the company's growth and transformation initiatives. Designed specifically for retail professionals, NRF SmartBrief is a free, daily email newsletter. It provides the latest need-to-know news and industry information that maximizes your time, giving you an edge over your competition.
In 2006, Talbots acquired J.Jill for $517 million, aiming to merge their strengths in womenswear for women over 35. Despite initial optimism, the merger led to brand confusion and declining sales due to overestimated customer overlap. By 2009, Talbots sold J.Jill at a loss. This case highlights the risks of assuming aesthetic and operational alignment equates to consumer alignment, a mistake still relevant in today's fragmented retail environment.