Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Export Compliance Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

As a pivotal member of our Global Trade Compliance team, the Export Compliance Analyst is responsible for navigating the complex landscape of international trade regulations. You will be the subject matter expert on export controls, ensuring that all products, technology, and services are exported in strict accordance with U.S. laws (including EAR and ITAR) and the laws of other relevant countries. This role involves classifying products, applying for export licenses, screening transactions, and developing compliance procedures to support our global business strategy. Your expertise will directly impact our ability to operate efficiently on a global scale while maintaining the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Logistics or Shipping Coordinator
Paralegal (with a focus on international business)
Compliance Assistant or Specialist
Supply Chain Analyst

Advancement To:

Senior Export Compliance Analyst / Team Lead
Trade Compliance Manager
Director of Global Trade Compliance
In-house Trade Counsel

Lateral Moves:

Import Compliance Analyst
Supply Chain Security Specialist
Contracts Administrator or Manager
Sanctions Compliance Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive analysis of products, software, and technology to accurately determine export control jurisdiction (ITAR vs. EAR) and assign appropriate Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) or USML categories.
Prepare, submit, and manage export license applications, agreements (TAAs/MLAs), and other requests for authorization to government agencies like the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).
Perform and document denied party, sanctions, and embargo screening for customers, suppliers, and other business partners using specialized compliance software.
Review and approve international shipments, sales orders, and service requests to ensure compliance with all applicable export regulations and license conditions.
Develop, implement, and maintain robust export compliance policies, procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent and compliant practices across the organization.
Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders (including Engineering, Sales, R&D, and Logistics) on all matters related to export compliance, providing guidance and interpretation of regulations.
Conduct regular internal audits and risk assessments of export-related activities and documentation to identify potential gaps and areas for improvement.
Maintain meticulous and audit-ready records of all export transactions, licenses, classifications, and compliance activities in accordance with U.S. government recordkeeping requirements.
Monitor changes in U.S. and international export laws and regulations and assess their potential impact on the company's business operations, updating procedures as necessary.
Develop and deliver engaging export compliance training programs for employees across various departments to foster a culture of compliance.
Manage and track the status of all export licenses and authorizations throughout their lifecycle, ensuring all provisos, conditions, and reporting requirements are met.
Oversee and ensure the accuracy of Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings in the Automated Export System (AES) for all required export shipments.
Investigate and document any potential export compliance violations, and assist in the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
Classify products with Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes and determine country of origin for import/export documentation and duty calculation purposes.
Support technology control plans by managing access to controlled technical data for foreign national employees and visitors.
Collaborate with the legal department on complex regulatory issues, voluntary disclosures, and responses to government inquiries.
Evaluate and manage the compliance performance of freight forwarders, customs brokers, and other third-party logistics partners.
Provide critical compliance support for international business travel, including managing temporary exports/imports of company equipment (laptops, tools).
Review terms and conditions in customer and supplier contracts to identify and address any trade compliance-related clauses or risks.
Generate and analyze metrics and reports on export activities and compliance performance to present to senior management.
Facilitate the proper use of license exceptions (EAR) and exemptions (ITAR), ensuring all criteria are met and documented correctly.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to global trade.
Contribute to the organization's broader risk management and data governance strategy.
Collaborate with business units to translate new product or market needs into tangible compliance requirements.
Participate in process improvement projects and digital transformation initiatives within the compliance and logistics departments.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep, practical knowledge of U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Jurisdiction & Classification: Proven ability to determine product jurisdiction (ITAR/EAR) and accurately assign ECCN and USML classifications.
License Management: Experience preparing, submitting, and managing export licenses (BIS-748P, DSP-5, etc.) and agreements (TAAs/MLAs).
Denied Party Screening: Proficiency using trade compliance software (e.g., Visual Compliance, Descartes, Amber Road) for restricted party screening.
HTS & COO Classification: Strong understanding of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification and Country of Origin (COO) determination rules.
AES Filing: Hands-on experience with the Automated Export System (AES) for filing Electronic Export Information (EEI).
ERP/GTM Systems: Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and Global Trade Management (GTM) modules.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all aspects of work, from classification analysis to recordkeeping, to prevent costly errors.
Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to interpret complex regulations, analyze specific scenarios, and develop practical, compliant solutions.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to clearly explain complex compliance concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple license applications, audits, and projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
Integrity & Discretion: Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the highest degree of professionalism and ethical conduct.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field.
U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) or Certified U.S. Export Compliance Officer (CUSECO) certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

International Business or Trade
Law or Paralegal Studies
Supply Chain Management
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct experience in a trade compliance role with a primary focus on export controls.

Preferred:

Experience in a highly regulated industry such as Aerospace & Defense, Technology, Telecommunications, or Life Sciences.
Proven track record of successfully managing a portfolio of export licenses and agreements.
Experience in developing and implementing compliance policies and training programs from the ground up.