North America Import / Export Trade Specialist

Vallourec - North America; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) company match

Paid holidays

Performance-based bonus

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Vallourec - North America is seeking a Trade Specialist to support regulatory compliance and optimize trade operations across the North American region, including USA, Canada, and Mexico. You will monitor documentation, resolve trade-related issues, and identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring timely movement of goods across borders.

The role requires impeccable English communication, detail orientation, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in supply chain, logistics, import/export compliance, engineering, management, business, economics, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in an import/export capacity.
• Procurement or sourcing knowledge or experience.
• Outstanding English writing and speaking skills, with strong attention to clarity.
• Certification such as CPIM, CLTD, CSCP, SCOR or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Sales with proper product HTS code classification to avoid tax or quota errors.
• Request reimbursement from post-summary correction.
• Maintain control of and ensure regulations for all import/export processes; monitor according to policies.
• Evaluate new customs requirements and supervise day-to-day operations.
• Evaluate items for import and ensure accuracy in values; collaborate with customer brokers for clearance.
• Stay updated on changes in trade regulations, sanctions, tariffs, and FTAs.
• Collaborate with procurement, finance, legal, and operations to support trade compliance.
• Investigate discrepancies related to customs entries, documentation errors, or regulatory holds.
• Evaluate duty rates and identify opportunities for duty savings or trade program eligibility.
• Monitor and respond to customs inquiries; obtain product certifications for export/import.

Skills

Project management

Cost accounting

English communication

Supply chain knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, import/export compliance, engineering, management, business, economics, or related discipline

Tools

SAP

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Make an Impact With US

The Trade Specialist supports our activities by ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing trade operations. The specialist monitors documentation, proposes solutions to trade‑related issues under the responsibility of our Legal Department, identifies cost‑saving opportunities, and ensures smooth, timely movement of goods across borders. Success in this position depends on impeccable English communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment. This role will also support the overall trade strategy for the North American region, offering support for the USA as well as the Canada and Mexico operations regarding compliance and options for import and export management.

Make an Impact With US

The Trade Specialist supports our activities by ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing trade operations. The specialist monitors documentation, proposes solutions to trade‑related issues under the responsibility of our Legal Department, identifies cost‑saving opportunities, and ensures smooth, timely movement of goods across borders. Success in this position depends on impeccable English communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment. This role will also support the overall trade strategy for the North American region, offering support for the USA as well as the Canada and Mexico operations regarding compliance and options for import and export management.

Your Role at a Glance

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support Sales with proper product HTS code classification, to avoid tax or quota errors.
• Request reimbursement from post-summary correction.
• Maintain control and ensuring regulations to all import and export processes and monitor work according to corporate and local policies.
• Evaluate all new Customs requirements and supervise everyday operations according to standard procedures.
• Evaluate all items for import and ensure accuracy in all values and collaborate with customer brokers to provide clearance of all imports and maintain required documents.
• Stay updated on changes in trade regulations, sanctions, tariffs, and free trade agreements that may impact the business.
• Cross functional support — Collaborate with procurement, finance, legal, and operations teams to support business decisions and ensure trade compliance.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies related to customs entries, documentation errors, or regulatory holds.
• Evaluate duty rates and identify opportunities for duty savings or trade program eligibility.
• Monitor and provide a response to all custom inquiries and requests and obtain required product certifications for all export and import products for customs clearance.
• Consultation with our internal stakeholders regarding insurance, duties, and taxes.
• Providing customer service to all internal and external stakeholders as required.

The Import Export Trade Specialists main responsibilities in the Legal department scope are:

• Determination of initial exemption filing – and rebuttal – language and strategy.
• To support and endorse rebuttal rationale to improve the granting ratio of our process.

What Sets You Apart

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Project management skills and experience are a must
• Cost accounting knowledge and business acumen
• Experience with MRP and ERP systems and related concepts (SAP Experience a plus)
• Experience with logistics in air, rail, truck, and marine shipments, including material acquisition, transactional quality, and delivery of products to end users
• Superior analytical skills for preparing and evaluating route options, duty and tax assessments, and inventory
• Strong oral and written communication skills – this position reports frequently to executive management at the regional and corporate levels
• Able to simplify and execute difficult, complex initiatives and problem-solving
• Ability to effectively operate in a fast-moving international business environment under high-pressure situations to meet deadlines and exceed goals
• Must be able to work in a matrix organization with limited direct authority

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Logistics, Import/Export Compliance, Engineering, Management, Business, Economics, or other related discipline is preferred, or a combination of education and experience
• Candidates should have 5+ years of experience in an import/export capacity
• Procurement or Sourcing knowledge or experience
• Outstanding English writing and speaking skills, with strong attention to clarity
• Certification associated with Supply Chain Professionals CPIM, CLTD, CSCP, SCOR, or other is preferred

What Powers Your Performance

Success in this role is driven by a strong mix of personal ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We value team members who:

• Communicate clearly and constructively
• Collaborate effectively and contribute to team success
• Adapt to change with a proactive mindset
• Take accountability and initiative
• Demonstrate reliability and pride in performance
• Prioritize safety in every action
• Embrace feedback and continuous learning
• Maintain strong attention to detail
• Challenge the status quo and drive improvement
• Support and develop others through shared learning

How We Support Your Success

We’re committed to helping you thrive—on the job and beyond. That’s why we offer a collaborative culture where your ideas drive real change, and career mobility within a stable, essential industry. To support your growth and well-being, we also provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Company-Paid Life Insurance & Short/Long-Term Disability
• Profit Sharing: Up to 4%
• 401(k): Company match 4.5% with no vesting period
• Paid Parental Leave (including adoption)
• Paid Holidays: 10 days + 1 floating holiday
• Paid Vacation Time
• Performance-Based Bonus Program
• Tuition Reimbursement

Safety isn’t negotiable, it’s who we are. Every spark, every shift, and every decision is guided by a commitment that goes well beyond compliance. We don’t cut corners; we set the standard. That means clear expectations, continuous training, and shared accountability at every level. Protecting our people is more than a priority, it’s a promise we make to every colleague, every day.