Trade Compliance Specialist - Import Operations

Job Description

Position Summary

The Trade Compliance Specialist - Import Operations is responsible for managing Victaulic's day-to-day U.S. import compliance activities. This role serves as the primary operational liaison with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and internal stakeholders to ensure all import entries are classified correctly, cleared without disruption, and documented in accordance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements. The specialist is also responsible for supporting Free Trade Agreement (FTA) administration, supplier compliance communications, antidumping and countervailing duty (ADD/CVD) monitoring, and import-related recordkeeping.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Core Responsibilities

Import Program Administration

• Serve as the primary point of contact with the designated customs broker for daily entry review, HTS classification inquiries, and entry corrections.
• Review and validate import entries for accuracy of HTS classification, country of origin (COO), customs value, and applicable duty programs (FTAs, Section 232, ADD/CVD).
• Process and resolve import shipment issues, holds, and CBP exam requests in coordination with broker contacts.
• Review and audit broker ACE entry reports on a weekly basis to identify classification discrepancies, missed FTA claims, or tariff errors.

HTS Classification & Country of Origin

• Process and respond to HTS/COO classification requests submitted by the customs broker and internal teams (Supply Chain, Customer Care, Sales).
• Review new PCM part code additions for HTS assignment accuracy prior to system entry.
• Maintain and periodically audit vendor HTS submissions to ensure alignment with CBP binding rulings and Victaulic classification standards.
• Support country of origin determinations under the substantial transformation standard and applicable FTA rules of origin.
• Assist with system COO maintenance in BPCS/M3 ERP, working with IT and Supply Chain contacts.

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Administration

• Administer annual FTA certificate of origin program for customers (USMCA, and applicable bilateral FTAs).
• Maintain internal FTA qualification records; coordinate supplier solicitations for USMCA origin documentation.

Supplier & Broker Compliance

• Coordinate annual supplier compliance communication program: COO certifications, USMCA supplier declarations, human trafficking policy acknowledgment, FCPA certifications, and mill certificate (MTR) requirements for steel and aluminum.
• Work with sourcing/supply chain to train supplier-facing staff on MTR collection and documentation requirements for Section 232 compliance.
• Support sourcing training on country of origin marking and vendor compliance document packages for new suppliers.

Required Qualifications

Regulatory Knowledge

• Solid working knowledge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection import procedures, HTS classification methodology (GRIs), and country of origin rules.
• Familiarity with Section 232 steel and aluminum tariff requirements, USMCA rules of origin, and antidumping/countervailing duty programs.
• Working knowledge of C-TPAT requirements and ACE/CBP portal systems.
• Basic familiarity with EAR/ECCN export classifications and OFAC sanctions screening is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP/ERP) systems; experience with BPCS or M3/Infor is a strong advantage
• Strong Excel skills: pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data validation, and report preparation from large datasets.
• Experience with ACE portal and customs broker trade management platforms; ability to quickly adapt to broker-specific systems.
• Ability to rapidly learn new trade compliance software tools (SmartSheet, Qlik, SharePoint).
• Utilize AI to analyze and streamline processes data sets.

Professional Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail; accuracy in entry review, classification, and data entry is non-negotiable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to interface professionally with government agencies, brokers, suppliers, and senior internal stakeholders.
• Proactive problem-solving mindset; able to identify compliance risks and escalate appropriately.
• High ethical standards; demonstrated ability to maintain compliance integrity even under operational pressure.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and with frequent interruptions.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum 2-3 years of direct experience in U.S. import compliance operations, customs brokerage, or trade compliance in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with FTA program administration (USMCA preferred).

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

EEO Statement: Victaulic is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EOE/M/F/Vets/Disabled) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic data, or other legally protected status. Background checks may be required as part of our pre-employment process.

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Victaulic Staffing Partner Communication Policy


All staffing agencies are strictly forbidden from directly contacting any Victaulic employees, except those within the Human Resources/Talent Acquisition team. All communications, inquiries and candidate submissions must be routed through Victaulic's Human Resources/Talent Acquisition team. Non-compliance with this policy may result in the suspension of partnership, cancellation of the current contract, and/or the imposition of a mandatory probation period before any future business can resume. Additionally, non-compliance may lead to a permanent ban on future business. This policy ensures a streamlined and compliant recruitment process.