CTPAT Program Specialist

Summary

Looking for a career, at a company where you love to work, all while working from the comfort of home? Do you want to be part of a growing organization, on a team that’s interested in your development?

Willson International is a Customs Brokerage and Third-Party Logistics organization. At Willson, we’re creating an environment that empowers our people to reach their full potential, while embracing your strengths and ambitions. Whether it’s developing new skills, opportunities to innovate and grow, or the flexibility to enjoy the moments that matter with your loved ones, Willson International is the place for you.

Description of Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic CTPAT Program Specialist to lead and continually enhance our CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) program. This role requires a strong combination of supply chain security expertise, risk management, trade compliance knowledge, and stakeholder engagement capabilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of the organization's CTPAT program, including partner risk assessments, importer vetting, security profile maintenance, training initiatives, and ongoing compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) security requirements.

Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), particularly individuals who have worked directly with the CTPAT program, supply chain security, cargo enforcement, trade operations, or trusted trader programs.

As the CTPAT Program Specialist, you will serve as the subject matter expert for supply chain security initiatives while partnering with internal business units, customers, carriers, brokers, vendors, and government agencies to maintain and strengthen our security posture.

Principal Accountabilities & Duties

Technical Compliance & Program Management

CTPAT Program Administration

• Manage and maintain the organization's CTPAT certification and compliance with all CBP minimum security criteria.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for CBP Supply Chain Security Specialists (SCSS) and other government stakeholders.
• Ensure all CTPAT program documentation, procedures, and policies remain current and aligned with evolving CBP requirements.
• Lead CTPAT validations, revalidations, assessments, and corrective action plans.

Security Risk Assessment & Partner Validation

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments of supply chain partners, including importers, exporters, manufacturers, suppliers, transportation providers, warehouses, and logistics service providers.
• Evaluate business partners against CTPAT security requirements and established company standards.
• Develop and maintain risk-based methodologies for assessing and monitoring partner compliance.
• Identify vulnerabilities within the international supply chain and recommend risk mitigation strategies.

Importer Vetting & Due Diligence

• Lead importer onboarding reviews and ongoing due diligence activities.
• Conduct enhanced vetting of prospective customers and business partners to assess operational, regulatory, reputational, and security risks.
• Establish and maintain procedures for customer acceptance, escalation, and ongoing monitoring.
• Collaborate with compliance, legal, operations, and commercial teams to address identified risks.

Annual Security Assessment & Compliance Monitoring

• Manage the annual CTPAT security profile review and risk assessment process.
• Coordinate and document annual security assessments across all applicable business units and facilities.
• Monitor implementation of corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain records and supporting documentation required for audits, validations, and regulatory reviews.

Risk Scoring & Analytics

• Develop, maintain, and enhance supply chain risk scoring methodologies.
• Analyze security, compliance, operational, and trade data to determine risk levels and trends.
• Provide recommendations for enhanced oversight, monitoring, and controls based on risk assessment results.
• Prepare executive-level reporting and program performance metrics.

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Training & Stakeholder Engagement

Internal Training

• Develop and deliver CTPAT and security awareness training programs for employees across all business functions.
• Ensure training materials remain current with CBP requirements and industry best practices.
• Promote a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
• Measure training effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

External Training & Partner Education

• Develop and facilitate training programs for customers, carriers, suppliers, brokers, transportation providers, and other business partners.
• Provide guidance on CTPAT security requirements and best practices for maintaining compliant supply chains.
• Support partners in strengthening their own security programs and compliance initiatives.

Government & Industry Relations

• Maintain productive relationships with CBP, industry associations, and other regulatory stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging supply chain security threats, regulatory developments, and industry trends.
• Represent the organization during audits, validations, conferences, industry events, and customer meetings.

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Core Competencies

Executive Presence

• Capable of effectively communicating with all levels of an organization, from front-line operational personnel to executive leadership.

Business Acumen

• Strong understanding of supply chain security, trade compliance, risk management, and international logistics.

Communication Excellence

• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex security requirements in a clear and practical manner.

Risk Management

• Strong investigative and analytical skills with a proactive approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks.

Program Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage competing priorities, and drive continuous improvement.

Technology Proficiency

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and experience utilizing compliance, security, and risk management platforms.

Knowledge and Educational Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in supply chain security, trade compliance, customs operations, risk management, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Preference for former or retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, particularly those with direct CTPAT, Trusted Trader, cargo security, import specialist, regulatory audit, or enforcement experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting a CTPAT-certified program.
• Strong knowledge of CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria and CBP Trusted Trader Program requirements.
• Experience conducting security assessments, risk evaluations, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver training programs to diverse audiences.
• Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent analytical, strategic, and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Professional certifications related to supply chain security, risk management, customs compliance, investigations, or trade compliance are considered an asset.

Why you’ll love it at Willson

• Work-from-home environment, with a home internet reimbursement
• 3 weeks paid vacation for all new hires
• 401K program
• We care about your loved ones too – that’s why we offer family medical benefit coverage (including significant mental-health practitioner coverage), Compassionate Care top-ups, and Maternity/Parental top-ups.
• Change is crucial to success – it’s never a dull moment here! We offer trainings, and cover the cost of certifications so you can adapt to change with your best foot forward
• #Oneteam is essential to our corporate identity – we only succeed if we work together. That’s why we take the time to recognize the value of our staff, and celebrate the big moments together (like service anniversaries, weddings, and cute things, like puppies and babies).