Trade Compliance Specialist II
Visual Comfort & Co. · Houston, TX · 1 wk ago
On-siteFinance$69k–$73k/yrFull-time
Who we are
Visual Comfort & Co. is the premier resource for decorative and architectural lighting, ceiling fans, system controls and automated shading solutions from the most influential designers in the world. We are proud to offer a market-leading range of premium products across categories, styles and price points, remaining committed to beautiful design and, above all, a world-class customer experience.
Duties
- Ensure adherence to global customs regulations and partnering agency requirements
- Support inbound and outbound shipment movement
- Lead process improvements to strengthen overall trade compliance
Visual Comfort Offers
- Work-Life Balance: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Training & Development: A comprehensive and structured training program, complemented by ongoing education and opportunities for career advancement
- Paid Time Off: Generous vacation accrual and paid time off policies
- Holidays: 7 paid holidays per year, in addition to 2 floating holidays
- Career Path: Competitive compensation plan
- Health Benefits: Visual Comfort covers the majority of employee medical premiums, and offers competitive vision and dental coverage available starting the first of the month following your start date
- Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and short-term disability coverage
- Retail: 401(k) plan with company matching up to 4%, available beginning the first of the month following your hire date
How success is defined
- Manage U.S. import and export compliance operations, including HTS classification, customs valuation, antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD), provisional tariffs (Chapters 98 and 99 of the USHTS), FDA regulations, and Lacey Act requirements
- Analyze trade data and compliance reports to conduct post-entry and post-export audits, ensuring corrective actions are implemented accurately and within regulatory deadlines
- Prepare, generate, and evaluate reports supporting Reconciliation and Duty Drawback programs for internal stakeholders and external service providers
- Review product specifications, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and technical documentation to determine applicable trade compliance requirements
- Support country-of-origin determinations for import declarations, product marking, and preferential trade program eligibility
- Classify products under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) for North American import/export activities
- Collaborate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics providers to resolve shipment and compliance issues efficiently
- Identify and assess Free Trade Agreement (FTA) opportunities while ensuring adherence to qualification and preferential treatment requirements
- Execute and improve U.S. export compliance processes, including denied party screening, export license determinations, and regulatory reviews
- Aid in the preparation and submission of import/export documentation, including Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings
- Create, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to U.S. import and export compliance processes
- Support special projects and perform additional trade compliance responsibilities as assigned
- Collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives, solve problems, and drive process improvements
- Commitment to Visual Comfort Company values through professionalism, accountability, and ethical business practices
- Maintain a high standard of dependability, punctuality, and schedule adherence while fostering effective in-person collaboration and communication across teams
Requirements
- 2-4 years of relevant work experience supporting import and export compliance programs
- Bachelor’s degree
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Experience with SAP or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) is a plus, but not required
- Strong passion for continuous improvement, self-motivated, and eager to learn
- Skilled in managing large data sets, analyzing trends, and identifying risks
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities
- Able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborative team player with the ability to work independently when needed
- Strong communication skills across all channels, including email, chat, and phone
- Flexible availability, including weekends, early mornings, and late evenings