Supervisor, International Trade Compliance and Transportation

Phoenix-Contact; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401k matching

Generous time off

Job summary

Phoenix Contact seeks a Supervisor for International Trade Compliance and Transportation to lead and optimize import/export operations, ensuring regulatory readiness and cost-effective transportation. You will guide a team, coordinate with brokers and suppliers, and drive process improvements to support business decisions.

The role requires advanced knowledge of trade laws, HTS/ECCN classifications, and Incoterms, with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.
• 15+ years’ relevant experience preferred, including leadership.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Certification in international trade or supply chain management preferred.
• Experience with global trade management or ERP systems preferred.
• Knowledge of international trade regulations and customs compliance (C-TPAT, ECCN, HTS, Incoterms).
• Advanced knowledge of international transportation systems.

Responsibilities

• Leads and develops a team of international trade compliance and transportation professionals.
• Observes and evaluates team member performance and conducts regular performance reviews.
• Assists in determining staffing levels.
• Leads trade compliance operations including HTS classification and import/export processes.
• Leads training and development for associates in import/export compliance.
• Maintains knowledge of tariff laws and provides guidance for compliant decisions.
• Provides leadership to Supply Chain Services on transportation and compliance.
• Develops and maintains internal process specs in field of expertise.
• Works with brokers and suppliers for compliance.
• Supports timely customs clearance and post-entry adjustments.
• Follows record-keeping and documentation requirements.
• Audits import/export transactions for broker charge accuracy.
• Verifies third-party invoices and duties.
• Identifies preferential duty treatment opportunities.
• Supports carrier selection and contract negotiations with HQ.
• Generates performance invoices for international shipments.
• Other duties as assigned by manager.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field

MBA or advanced degree

Professional certification in international trade, customs compliance, or supply chain management

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Customs brokerage license

Job description

Supervisor, International Trade Compliance and Transportation

Job Summary

The Supervisor, International Trade Compliance and Transportation provides day-to-day leadership and functional oversight for the International Trade Compliance and Transportation team, ensuring the compliant, efficient, and reliable execution of import, export, and transportation activities. Applies advanced knowledge of trade laws, tariff requirements, customs regulations, and transportation practices to interpret requirements, establish priorities, resolve complex operational issues, and provide timely guidance that supports business decisions and mitigates risk. Coordinates with customs brokers, freight forwarders, suppliers, global affiliates, warehouse operations, and internal stakeholders to strengthen controls, improve processes, and maintain regulatory readiness. Accountable for team performance, service delivery, and continuous improvement within the function, with decisions directly affecting compliance, cost, operational continuity, and the movement of goods.

Responsibilities

• Leads and develops a team of international trade compliance and transportation professionals
• Observes and evaluates team member performance; conducts regular performance reviews and works with Materials and Supply Chain Manager to ensure performance aligns with departmental initiatives when evaluating merit reviews
• Assists in determining appropriate staffing levels
• Leads trade compliance operations, including HTS classification, ECCN, and internal import/export processes, serving as primary contact for transportation reporting and analytics
• Leads training, mentoring, and developing all associates involved in import / export compliance, which include, but not limited to, transportation, distribution center, and accounting
• Maintains advanced, current knowledge of tariff laws, regulations, rates, and emerging developments, and provides timely, relevant guidance to support compliant import and export decisions.
• Provides leadership and direction to Supply Chain Services associates regarding day-to-day operations and projects focused on transportation and import / export compliance
• Develops and maintains internal process specification(s) in field of expertise
• Works with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and suppliers to ensure full compliance for all import/export transactions
• Works with customs broker to resolve questions and provide information as needed for timely customs clearance; supports preparation of post-entry adjustments for submission to customs or customs broker
• Follows established record keeping, maintaining country specific records, trade agreement files, prepare forms required for global import/export, as applicable
• Audits import entries and export transactions as applicable, to reconcile and ensure accuracy of broker charges
• Verifies and validates third party invoices and supporting documentation for duties, fees, surcharges, etc., coordinating such activities with accounting
• Identifies product qualification for preferential duty treatment under trade agreements
• Works with corporate headquarters to support carrier selection, contract negotiations, carrier performance, with focused efforts on continuous process enhancements
• Generates performance invoices for international shipments when needed
• Other role related responsibilities as assigned by manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field
• 15 (+) years’ relevant experience preferred, including demonstrated ability to lead others, either directly or indirectly
• MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred
• Professional certification in international trade, customs compliance, or supply chain management preferred
• Experience with global trade management, transportation management, or ERP systems preferred
• Advanced knowledge of international trade regulations and customs compliance, including C-TPAT Security and Trade Compliance, ECCN and HTS classification, and Incoterms.
• Refined knowledge of international transportation systems
• Knowledge of Phoenix Contact global operations
• Refined organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently multi-task, prioritize, solve problems, and make recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, handle multiple tasks, and be detail oriented with a high level of accuracy
• Advanced computer knowledge/skill in Microsoft Office
• Customs brokerage license preferred
• Demonstrate initiative by understanding what actions need to be taken and completing the required tasks while seeking the perspective of others as required
• Demonstrate an honest and forthright presence by taking responsibility for own mistakes and not blaming others, and by doing what he / she commits to doing
• Work as a team player to make a difference within the business and express gratitude and appreciation to others who have provided information, assistance, or support
• Readily handle change through taking advantage of lifelong learning opportunities and being open minded and curious in the face of new challenges

Essential Job Functions

• Must be able to withstand long periods (up to 4 hours without a break)
• Must be able to read and write fluently in English
• Must be professional, ethical, and customer-focused
• Must be willing to travel internationally
• Must be willing to work over-time as needed
• Regular and on-time attendance
• This is a hybrid position unless otherwise agreed upon requiring 3 days in the office.

Phoenix Contact offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k matching, and a generous time off package. There are also a wide variety of additional benefits available including 16 weeks fully paid maternity leave & 10 weeks fully paid paternity leave, life insurance, short & long-term disability, on-site gym access, health & wellbeing center, on-site café, walking trails, tuition assistance, and more!

Phoenix Contact is committed to the diversity of our employees. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

If you need special accommodations to access job openings or to apply for a job, please call 717-944-1300 between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Eastern Standard Time, Monday – Friday or email [e-mail] .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Phoenix Contact’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.