Senior Trade Compliance Specialist

Samuel Packaging Systems Group; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 98,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

SAMACO in Elk Grove Village, IL is seeking a seasoned Trade Compliance Specialist to lead U.S. customs compliance initiatives, partner with brokers, and ensure accurate import classifications.

You will drive audits, develop KPI dashboards, monitor AES/ACE data, and mentor junior staff while staying current with CBP rules. This role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement to minimize risk and improve efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-8 years of U.S. customs and trade compliance experience.
• Advanced knowledge of CBP regulations, customs valuation, country of origin requirements, customs broker management, and import compliance.
• Experience leading compliance reviews, audits, and corrective action initiatives.
• Experience supporting CBP audits and customs inquiries.
• Experience reviewing AES filings.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and project leadership skills.
• Experience with ACE reporting and compliance analytics.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME on CBP regulations, customs valuation, country of origin, and import requirements.
• Support development and maintenance of the U.S. import compliance program.
• Review broker-filed entries for correct HTS classifications, valuation, and origin.
• Identify discrepancies, risks, and drive corrective actions with brokers.
• Lead post-entry reviews and audits to assess broker performance.
• Develop and maintain broker scorecards and KPIs.
• Lead QBRs with brokers and service providers.
• Monitor ISF filings and ACE reports for timeliness and accuracy.
• Lead internal reviews and CBP-modeled audits.
• Provide training and guidance to Trade Compliance Specialists.
• Track regulatory developments and communicate impacts.

Skills

Compliance Auditing

Risk Assessment

Data Analytics

Project Leadership

Training & Mentoring

Stakeholder Management

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in international business, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Law, or related field

Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) preferred

Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Project Management certification considered an asset

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on CBP regulations, customs valuation, country of origin, customs procedures, and import requirements.
• Support development and maintenance of the U.S. import compliance program.
• Review customs entries filed by brokers to verify accurate application of assigned HTS classifications, valuation, country of origin, and special trade programs.
• Identify classification discrepancies, compliance risks, and opportunities for correction and work with the classification function and customs brokers to resolve issues.
• Lead post-entry reviews and customs compliance audits to assess broker performance and compliance with company customs instructions.
• Develop and maintain broker scorecards and performance metrics.
• Participate in and support Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with customs brokers and service providers.
• Monitor accuracy and timeliness of customs entries and Importer Security Filings (ISF).
• Lead internal customs compliance reviews and CBP-modeled audits.
• Conduct root cause analyses and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Support CBP audits, CF28s, CF29s, protests, prior disclosures, reconciliations, and duty drawback activities.
• Conduct risk assessments and identify compliance gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Serve as the operational lead for USMCA, FTZ, TIB, U.S. Goods Returned, Duty Drawback, Section 232, Section 301, AD/CVD, and quota-related activities.
• Review and monitor AES filings to ensure compliance with Foreign Trade Regulations and company requirements.
• Analyze ACE reports and trade data to identify compliance risks, trends, and process improvement opportunities.
• Develop KPI scorecards, compliance reports, and broker performance reporting.
• Lead continuous improvement projects focused on customs compliance, broker performance, automation, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain procedures, work instructions, compliance controls, and training materials.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to Trade Compliance Specialists and cross-functional teams.
• Monitor regulatory developments and communicate business impacts to stakeholders.

Required Experience

• Minimum 5-8 years of U.S. customs and trade compliance experience.
• Advanced knowledge of CBP regulations, customs valuation, country of origin requirements, customs broker management, and import compliance.
• Experience leading compliance reviews, audits, and corrective action initiatives.
• Experience supporting CBP audits and customs inquiries.
• Experience reviewing and monitoring AES filings.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and project leadership skills.
• Experience with ACE reporting and compliance analytics.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with FTZ, Duty Drawback, TIB, AD/CVD, Section 232, and Section 301 programs.
• Experience leading broker compliance reviews and CBP mock audits.

Core Competencies

• Compliance Auditing & Risk Assessment
• Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
• Data Analytics & Reporting
• Project Leadership
• Training & Mentoring
• Stakeholder Management
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

Eduaction & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international business, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Law, or related field.
• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Project Management certification considered an asset.

The expected compensation range for this position is $97,614-$119.306. This range includes base pay and target variable pay. Actual compensation will depend on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and experience. We also consider internal equity to ensure fair and consistent pay practices. This range reflects the expected full compensation range for the role; most offers will fall within the range and not at the maximum in order to allow for future growth.

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