Import Compliance Specialist

Description

At Northern Tool + Equipment we get up every day to serve the tradespeople who keep our country running strong and the weekend warriors who want to work like them. It’s our mission to make sure they have the right tools for the job, and an easy, hassle-free experience at our store so they can get in, get out and get on with the job r top priority as a Import Compliance Specialist is to partner with teams across Merchandising, Sourcing, Transportation, Finance, Inventory Planning, and Distribution Operations to ensure the smooth movement of imported goods while maintaining compliance with U.S. Customs and international trade requirements.

You'll have the opportunity to influence business processes, analyze trade data, identify compliance risks, and contribute to the growth of our global trade compliance program.

If you enjoy solving complex problems, collaborating across functions, and making a measurable impact on supply chain performance, we'd love to hear from you.

Your positive, professional, roll-up-your-sleeves-to-help attitude contributes to our winning culture and makes sure we leave a lasting impression.

• Ensure compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, FDA requirements, Partner Government Agencies (PGA), and other applicable trade regulations.
• Partner with customs brokers to support timely and accurate import entry processing and customs clearance.
• Classify products using Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) codes and support country-of-origin determinations.
• Conduct internal compliance reviews and audits in accordance with company policies and trade compliance standards.
• Maintain accurate and auditable import documentation and records.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to internal teams on customs, import compliance, and regulatory requirements.

• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to customs activity, broker performance, duties, tariffs, and supply chain costs.
• Analyze ACE data to identify compliance risks, tariff trends, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Support continuous enhancement of Northern Tool's trade compliance program by identifying gaps and implementing best practices.
• Assist in developing and maintaining trade compliance policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.

• Act as a key liaison between internal stakeholders and external partners, including customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, and government agencies.
• Work closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, Inventory Planning, Transportation, Distribution Centers, and Finance to support business objectives.
• Contribute to technology and process improvement initiatives related to international trade and logistics operations.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Business, Trade Compliance, or a related field.
• Two or more years of experience in import/export compliance, customs brokerage, international logistics, or global trade operations.
• Working knowledge of HTS classification, Incoterms, customs documentation, and international shipping processes.
• Understanding of U.S. Customs regulations and import compliance requirements.
• Experience collaborating with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification or interest in pursuing licensure.
• Experience with ACE reporting, tariff analysis, and duty recovery programs.
• Knowledge of CBP Requests for Information (CF28) and Notices of Action (CF29).
• Experience with ERP systems, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), or trade management platforms.
• Familiarity with duty drawback programs, free trade agreements, and tariff mitigation strategies.
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, or other data analytics tools.

Northern…