Intern - Contracts and Trade Compliance

Appone; Muskegon (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

RENK America is seeking a Contracts & Trade Compliance Intern to map processes, design tools, and support global compliance initiatives across Legal, Business Development, Program Management and Supply Chain.

You will gain hands-on experience by updating templates, assisting ERP data improvements, and creating onboarding content while learning FAR/DFARS, EAR and ITAR requirements.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, International Business, Legal, or related field.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA, Junior or Senior status.
• Preferred familiarity with FAR/DFARS, EAR and ITAR or willingness to learn.
• Experience creating process documentation and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Map end-to-end Contract and Trade Compliance workflows to streamline and automate processes.
• Collaborate with Legal, Business Development, Program Management and Supply Chain to identify workflow challenges.
• Create standardized forms and process aids to ensure complete, accurate information.
• Assist with ERP data improvements, including updating Country of Origin details.
• Update routing and archiving guides and capture workflows visually.
• Review contract templates and recommend updates to enhance clarity and reduce risk.
• Develop onboarding materials, negotiation guides, and global culture profiles for international engagement.
• Support cross-functional projects to strengthen compliance and reduce risk.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Excel

ERP familiarity

Regulatory knowledge

Documentation

Analytical mindset

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, International Business, Legal, or related field

GPA 3.0+

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

ITAR/EAR compliance knowledge

Job description

About the Organization RENK America is a leading supplier in the defense, marine and industry sector with superior mobility, propulsion and drive train solutions. Our tradition is centered on precision-engineered systems for maximum impact, efficiency and endurance. RENK's ambition is to support each and every one of its customers to exceed standards in harsh conditions and combat situations. RENK America employs over 500 employees at our US locations in Muskegon, Michigan, Cincinnati, Ohio, Camby, Indiana and Roseville, Michigan. RENK America is driven by this sense of pride and purpose in our country and our community.

Description

Essential Functions:

Ready to make an impact? As a Contracts & Trade Compliance Intern, you'll help transform how our teams work by mapping processes, improving workflows, designing smart tools, and supporting global compliance initiatives.

• Dive into real organizational process work by mapping end-to-end Contract and Trade Compliance workflows and identifying opportunities to streamline, automate, and improve how teams collaborate.
• Partner with teams across Legal, Business Development, Program Management and Supply Chain to uncover workflow challenges and help design smarter, more efficient approval processes.
• Build tools that make a difference by creating standardized forms and process aids that help teams submit complete, accurate information from the start.
• Contribute to Trade Compliance initiatives by assisting with ERP data improvements, including updating Country of Origin details across product lines.
• Help modernize Contracts operations by updating routing and archiving guides, capturing workflows visually, and ensuring processes are clear and easy to follow.
• Review contract templates with a critical eye, benchmarking against industry best practices and recommending updates that enhance clarity, consistency, and reduce organizational risk.
• Create practical, user-ready learning content such as onboarding training modules, negotiation strategy guides, standardized definitions, and global culture profiles that support international business engagement.
• Support research efforts and cross-functional projects that strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and improve efficiency across the Contracts & Trade Compliance Teams.

Qualifications:

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Management, Business Administration, International Business, Legal, or related field
• 3.0+ GPA
• Junior or Senior status
• Preferred Additional Skills:
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, formatting).
  • Familiarity with ERP systems and confidence in navigating basic workflow or data-entry functions.
  • Familiarity with regulations such as FAR/DFARS, EAR and ITAR or willingness to learn.
  • Ability to research regulations, interpret guidance, and summarize key requirements clearly.
  • Experience creating process documentation, workflow diagrams, or standard operating procedures.
  • Analytical mindset with the ability to identify process inefficiencies and propose solutions.
  • Interest or coursework in international business, compliance, supply chain, or contract administration.
  • Self-starter able to work independently and take initiative in ambiguous or evolving tasks.
  • Strong critical-thinking skills and the ability to translate stakeholder input into actionable recommendations.
  • Creative approach to problem-solving, especially when developing templates, tools, or training materials.

Position Requirements

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business Administration, International Business, Legal, Supply Chain Management or related field
• 3.0+ GPA

Full-Time/Part-Time Seasonal

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

EOE Statement RENK America is proud to be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. RENK America is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. RENK America maintains a drug‑free workplace and performs pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

This position is currently accepting applications.