Specialist, Trade Compliance

Job Summary

This hybrid position (3 days in office/2 days remote) is responsible for coordinating, executing, and maintaining trade-related programs for West's North America (NA) locations. The primary focus is on ensuring compliance in executing and maintaining West's procurement, sales activities, and cross-border transactions. The role ensures that all West transactions comply with U.S. national and regional import and export laws, and requirements to facilitate efficient and consistent cross-border transactions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that West NA import and export declarations comply with applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to minimize compliance risks and optimize costs.
• Execute cross-border activities according to the NA trade compliance manuals and procedures.
• Collaborate with West sites, third-party service providers, and customs brokers to resolve issues and questions regarding daily customs entries and export declarations.
• Provide trade compliance-related codes such as Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, export control codes, Partner Government Agency codes, and other compliance-related master data for NA imported and exported products.
• Maintain and retrieve, when necessary, records related to import and export affairs.
• Prepare, submit, and maintain special compliance-related documentation to support import/export declarations.
• Deliver transactional support for duty optimization programs, including Free Trade Agreements.
• Conduct post-entry audits and coordinate any necessary Post Entry Corrections with West-designated Customs Brokers.
• Review and manage documentation required for import/export declarations and the use of Free Trade Agreements, Preferential Duty Programs, and Duty Drawback Programs.
• Participate in and support operational projects impacting Trade Compliance at West NA facilities (e.g., system implementations, new business models).
• Engage in cost-saving and process improvement initiatives for Trade Compliance activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain the ability to work well with others in a variety of situations
• Maintain the ability to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize
• Maintain the ability to maintain confidentiality and resolve conflicts
• Ability to make independent and sound judgments
• Read and interpret data, information, and documents
• Analyze and solve problems

Education

A degree in Business, International Trade, Logistics or other relevant field, or equivalent related experience required.

Work Experience

3 years minimum of related experience required.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (US HTS), Export Commodity Control Numbers, Schedule B Numbers, and Title 19 Code of Federal Regulations - Customs Duties.
• Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) certification/program knowledge.
• Ability to follow all relevant SOPs as per Company policy related to the position.
• Support and contribute to Lean Sigma programs and activities towards achieving set targets.
• Continuous compliance with the company’s safety and quality policies.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within global cross-functional teams.
• Capability to work within a remote or matrix organization.
• Experience with SAP is preferred.

Travel Requirements

None

Physical Requirements

• Occasional stretching and arm extension for work related tasks/assignments
• Occasional bending and twisting as required by the job

Additional Requirements

None