Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Trade Officer

🎯 Role Definition

As a Trade Officer, you will be the linchpin of our international trade operations. You are a strategic partner responsible for ensuring the seamless and compliant movement of goods across borders. This role requires a deep understanding of customs regulations, logistics, and global supply chains. You will act as the subject matter expert, providing critical guidance to internal teams, managing relationships with external partners like customs brokers and freight forwarders, and mitigating risks associated with international trade. Your work will directly enable the company to expand its global footprint, optimize supply chain costs, and maintain an impeccable reputation for regulatory compliance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Logistics Coordinator
Import/Export Clerk or Assistant
Junior Supply Chain Analyst
Paralegal (with a focus on trade or business law)

Advancement To:

Senior Trade Compliance Manager
Global Logistics Director
or Supply Chain Strategist
Director of International Trade

Lateral Moves:

Supply Chain Manager
Procurement or Sourcing Manager
Logistics Strategist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage and meticulously prepare all import and export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and shipper's letters of instruction, to ensure full compliance and avoid delays.
Determine and assign correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, Schedule B numbers, and Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) for all products, maintaining a comprehensive classification database.
Serve as the primary point of contact for customs brokers and freight forwarders, overseeing their performance and ensuring they operate in accordance with our compliance standards and service level agreements.
Proactively monitor, interpret, and communicate changes in international trade regulations, customs laws, and tariffs to relevant business stakeholders to mitigate risk and identify opportunities.
Conduct regular internal audits and risk assessments of trade compliance procedures, documenting findings and implementing corrective action plans to ensure process integrity.
Analyze and leverage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to minimize duty expenses, which includes qualifying goods, preparing certificates, and maintaining robust supporting documentation.
e-Screen all international transactions against various government-issued denied party and sanctioned entity lists to ensure adherence to export control and sanctions programs.
Develop, implement, and maintain the company's Trade Compliance Manual, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to establish clear guidelines for all employees.
Investigate, document, and resolve any customs delays, government inquiries, or compliance incidents, including the preparation of prior disclosures or voluntary self-disclosures if necessary.
Calculate, process, and audit the payment of duties, taxes, and fees associated with imports, ensuring accuracy and identifying opportunities for cost savings like duty drawback.
Manage the company's export licensing process, including determining license requirements, preparing and submitting applications to government agencies (e.g., BIS, DDTC), and tracking approvals.
Provide expert guidance and strategic advice to internal departments such as Sales, Procurement, Engineering, and Finance on the trade compliance implications of new products, markets, or business initiatives.
Oversee and manage special customs programs, such as bonded warehouses, foreign trade zones (FTZ), or temporary import bonds (TIBs), to optimize for cost and efficiency.
Lead and deliver training programs for employees across the organization to raise awareness and understanding of fundamental trade compliance responsibilities.
Coordinate directly with logistics and warehouse teams to ensure that the physical movement of goods aligns perfectly with customs declarations and documentation.
Maintain and manage comprehensive, audit-ready records for all import and export transactions in accordance with government regulations and company policy.
Vet new international suppliers and customers to assess their compliance with global trade standards and regulations.

Secondary Functions

Generate and analyze periodic reports on trade activity, landed costs, duty spend, and compliance metrics to inform strategic decision-making.
Support special projects related to global supply chain optimization, cost reduction, and network design.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover trends in international shipping and compliance.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by identifying needs for trade-related data and analytics.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for our Global Trade Management (GTM) or ERP systems.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data and technology teams for projects impacting trade functions.
Assist in the evaluation, selection, and implementation of new trade compliance software and technology solutions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

HTS/Schedule B Classification: Deep expertise in assigning correct commodity classifications.
Customs Regulations: Thorough knowledge of country-specific import/export laws (e.g., 19 CFR in the U.S.).
Global Trade Management (GTM) Software: Hands-on experience with platforms like SAP GTS, Oracle GTM, E2open, or similar systems.
Incoterms Mastery: Solid understanding of all Incoterms and their application to cost, risk, and responsibility in shipping.
Export Controls (EAR/ITAR): Familiarity with U.S. export control regulations and licensing requirements.
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Analysis: Proven ability to qualify goods and generate required documentation for FTAs like USMCA.
ERP Systems Proficiency: Experience working within major ERP environments (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) for order processing and data management.
Advanced MS Excel/Data Analysis: Ability to manipulate large datasets, use pivot tables, and create insightful reports on trade metrics.

Soft Skills

Meticulous Attention to Detail: An unwavering commitment to accuracy in a high-stakes regulatory environment.
Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to dissect complex regulations and resolve logistical or compliance challenges effectively.
Exceptional Communication: Capable of clearly articulating complex trade concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Proactive & Results-Oriented: A self-starter who anticipates potential issues and takes initiative to drive solutions and improvements.
Stakeholder Management: Skill in building and maintaining strong relationships with internal teams, brokers, and government agencies.
Superior Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple shipments, deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university or college.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field or a professional certification such as a Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or Certified Customs Specialist (CCS).

Relevant Fields of Study:

International Business
Supply Chain Management & Logistics
Business Administration
Law or Paralegal Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of direct, hands-on experience in a trade compliance, import/export operations, or international logistics role.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressive experience within a corporate trade compliance department or a customs brokerage firm, with demonstrated experience in project management, process improvement, and direct interaction with customs authorities.