Senior Import Specialist

KLA; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA is seeking a Senior Import Specialist in Ann Arbor, MI to ensure compliant, efficient US import operations. You will handle tariff classifications, import controls, analytics, and audits, working closely with Legal, Logistics, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Procurement to implement standardized processes and automation.

You will design controls, monitor KPIs, and lead cross-functional trade compliance initiatives while staying current with regulatory changes and risk assessments for senior

Qualifications

• Doctorate or Masters with related work experience required
• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of related experience
• Experience with U.S. Customs regulations, tariff classification, and import documentation

Responsibilities

• Support HS/HTS classifications and ECCN determinations for semiconductor equipment and related tech.
• Review broker filings, customs docs, values, origin declarations, and trade remedy applicability.
• Interface with CBP for CF-28/29s, audits, post-entry reviews, and inquiries.
• Design and improve import/export processes, controls, and governance SOPs.
• Develop dashboards, analytics, and KPI reporting for trade compliance.

Skills

Import Compliance

Executive Communication

Process Development

Project Leadership

Risk Management

Data-Driven Decisions

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Doctorate

Master's

Bachelor's

Tools

SAP GTS

SAP

ACE Reporting

Trade Management Systems

Job description

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale-faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Legal Compliance Organization (LCO) provides legal guidance to further KLA's strategic objectives and protect and preserve the company's legal, ethical and financial integrity and reputation. Drawing on expertise in corporate law, commercial law, employment law, ethics and compliance, and intellectual property, the LCO offers strategic legal counsel that is informed by a clear understanding of the company's business objectives and knowledge of the laws and regulations relevant to the business worldwide.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

The Senior Import Specialist is a key member of the Global Trade Compliance team responsible for ensuring compliant, efficient, and scalable import and export operations with a primary focus on U.S. imports. This role is responsible for complex tariff classification, import compliance controls, analytics, audit support, process design, and cross-functional trade compliance initiatives. The position partners closely with Legal, Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Product Management, Customs Brokers, and regional trade teams to standardize processes, improve data quality, implement automation opportunities, and maintain compliance with customs and export control regulations to ensure compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Support HS/HTS classifications and support ECCN determinations for semiconductor equipment, spare parts, components, electronics, software, and related technologies.
• Review and validate broker filings, customs documentation, customs values, country of origin declarations, and trade remedy applicability.
• Act as a primary interface for CBP Requests for Information (CF-28/29s etc), audits, post-entry reviews, disclosures, and compliance inquiries.
• Design, document, and continuously improve import/export processes, controls, SOPs, and governance procedures.
• Develop exception reporting, validation controls, systemic data feeds, and compliance monitoring metrics.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, compliance analytics, and exception reporting to monitor key trade compliance KPIs, identify operational and regulatory risks, and drive data-driven decision making. Partner closely with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and external service providers to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, broker instructions, service level expectations, and established standard operating procedures.
• Lead trade compliance projects, system enhancements, and automation initiatives.
• Coordinate with logistics providers, customs brokers, procurement, engineering, and manufacturing teams to standardize global processes.
• Support internal and external audits and conduct periodic reviews of trade compliance controls and records.
• Monitor regulatory changes and present risk assessments and recommendations to senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Solid understanding of U.S. Customs regulations, tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, and import documentation.
• Experience responding to customs audits and regulatory inquiries.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills. Experience within semiconductor, electronics, advanced manufacturing, or other technology industries.
• LCB, CCS, CES, or similar certification preferred.
• Experience with SAP GTS, SAP, ACE reporting, or trade management systems.
• Experience crafting controls, validations, automation solutions, and exception-based monitoring.
• Sophisticated Excel skills including Power Query, Pivot Tables, and XLOOKUP.
• Ability to analyze large datasets and translate findings into business actions.
• Experience supporting workflow automation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Import Compliance Expertise
• Executive Communication
• Process Development & Continuous Improvement
• Project Leadership
• Risk Management & Audit Readiness
• Data-Driven Decision Making

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

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