International Trade Compliance Specialist

Sonaca North America; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Employee assistance program

Wellness program

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Sonaca North America is seeking a Trade Compliance specialist to manage import/export controls, ensure compliant documentation, and monitor changes to trade regulations. The role focuses on keeping permits, licenses, and certifications up to date while resolving complex issues with clients, customs officials, and shippers.

The position requires in-depth knowledge of U.S. and international trade laws (ITAR, EAR, OFAC), strong analytical skills, and the ability to travel domestically and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Law or a related field.
• Minimum of 2–4 years of experience in international trade compliance or a similar role.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Access, PowerPoint and Excel).
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. and international trade laws including ITAR, EAR, and OFAC.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred.
• Experience with import/export operations and documentation.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve trade compliance procedures and controls.
• Ensure proper documentation is stored and traceable.
• Support internal questions and external audits.
• Identify risks early and elevate issues proactively, and suggest and implement solutions.
• Maintain accurate tariff classifications across all products and challenge vendor classifications as necessary.
• Review duty payments and entry data for accuracy and discrepancies.
• Support efforts to reduce duty exposure through classification and sourcing insights.
• Stay current on regulatory changes and communicate business impact clearly.
• Partner with supply chain teams to understand product flow, sourcing, and logistics decisions.
• Evaluate landed cost impacts tied to duties and tariffs.
• Provide input to prevent costly downstream corrections.
• Support cross-border documentation practices for smooth movement.
• Identify situations where ITAR compliance is required.
• Assist with preparation, submission, and tracking of claims for refunds.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Improve processes to increase recovery consistency and reduce missed opportunities.
• Coordinate with commercial teams to assert tariffs to customers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Problem-solving

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Law or related field

2–4 years international trade compliance experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Access, PowerPoint, Excel)

Compliance software

Job description

Who Are We

Sonaca North America is driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence. As a leading provider of aerospace and defense solutions, we are dedicated to making air and space travel safe and sustainable. We have 10 locations across North America and our engineering expertise, and operational excellence set us apart from the competition.

Since the beginning in 1948, we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products and services that are reliable, safe, and efficient. Our team of experts is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve in the aerospace and defense industry, utilizing the latest technologies and processes to ensure that we deliver the best possible solutions to our customers.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain this role supports import and export controls to ensure compliance with international trade laws and regulations. Manages documentation processes to ensure that all required permits, licenses, and certifications are obtained. Monitors changes to compliance processes due to new or amended regulations. Possesses in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of customs rules and regulations and other related requirements for global shipping. Resolves complex issues that have been escalated and expedites solutions with clients, customs officials, and shippers.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Compliance Support

• Maintain and improve trade compliance procedures and controls
• Ensure proper documentation is stored and traceable
• Support internal questions and external audits
• Identify risks early and elevate issues proactively, and suggest and implement solutions

Duty and Tariff Management

• Maintain accurate tariff classifications across all products and challenge vendor classification as necessary
• Review duty payments and entry data to ensure accuracy and identify discrepancies
• Support efforts to reduce duty exposure through classification and sourcing insights
• Stay current on regulatory changes and communicate business impact clearly

Supply Chain Partnership

• Partner with supply chain teams to understand product flow, sourcing, and logistics decisions
• Evaluate landed cost impacts tied to duties and tariffs
• Provide early input to prevent costly downstream corrections
• Support strong documentation practices for smooth cross-border movement
• Identify situations where ITAR compliance is required

Duty & Tariff Refunds

• Assist with preparation, submission, and tracking of claims
• Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation
• Help improve processes to increase recovery consistency and reduce missed opportunities
• Coordinate with commercial team to assert tariff and duties to customers

Broker Coordination and Oversight

• Work closely with customs brokers on day‑to‑day activity
• Review filings and entries for accuracy and completeness
• Escalate and resolve classification or documentation issues
• Support monitoring of broker performance and responsiveness

Reporting and Analysis

• Track duty spend, refund activity, and key metrics
• Support development of clear, simple reporting for finance and operations
• Identify trends, recurring errors, and cost‑saving opportunities

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Law or a related field
• Minimum of 2‑4 years of experience in international trade compliance or a similar role
• Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Office applications (Access, PowerPoint and Excel)
• In‑depth knowledge of U.S. and international trade laws and regulations, including ITAR, EAR, and OFAC
• Bi‑lingual in Spanish preferred
• Experience with import/export operations and documentation
• Familiarity with global customs regulations and tariff classification
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in compliance management software and tools
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities
• Certification in trade compliance (e.g., CUSECO, CCS) is preferred
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills
• Experience in developing and delivering compliance training programs
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as required

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a percentage company‑match contribution
• Competitive wages
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and accidental insurance
• Short‑term disability
• Long‑term disability
• Employee assistance plan (for access to counseling, consulting and other community resources)
• Wellness program
• Tuition assistance
• Subject to eligibility, terms, and conditions

Sonaca North America is an equal employment opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, Sonaca North America provides access and opportunities to those with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans who seek to access the company’s online application system. If an applicant is unable to fully access the online application system, Sonaca North America will provide a reasonable accommodation. Applicants with disabilities may contact us at 636-916-2400 for assistance accessing the on‑line application system. Callers should have a detailed description of the requested accommodation, their name and preferred method of contact ready for Sonaca North America‘s Human Resources Department. Sonaca North America will make every effort to respond within two (2) business days. This phone number is not for the general submission of application materials.

Sonaca North America is an E‑Verify Employer.

Sonaca North America is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans Employer.