Senior Import​/Export Specialist

Logistics And Materials Compliance Manager

Responsible for ensuring and maintaining Austal USA's compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements.

Serve as the primary subject‑matter expert for U.S. import/export regulations, customs compliance, and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations.

Act as the central point of contact with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, and internal stakeholders.

Work with the Manager Security & Export Control Administration to ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, DFARS, FAR, and applicable trade regulations.

Manage FTZ admissions, removals, weekly entries, annual reconciliation, and reporting.

Oversee duty‑free exemptions, tariff mitigation strategies, and country‑of‑origin determinations.

Coordinate timely and cost‑efficient shipment of spare parts, vendor returns and other outbound shipments.

Specify and enforce packaging, labeling and documentation requirements to ensure regulatory and contractual compliance for all inbound and outbound freight.

Work closely with buyers, suppliers, production control, and production personnel to coordinate timely delivery of material to production while managing inventory balance.

Manage freight purchase orders, validate charges, and coordinate proper charging and timely payment of freight costs.

Annually prepare requests for quote for freight and logistics services. Analyze bids and make recommendation for service provider selection.

Ensure carrier accounts remain current through the weekly monitoring of freight invoices.

Provide a centralized control point for all freight requirements, including scheduling, routing, optimization, consolidation, and leverage of volume for cost and service improvements.

Coordinate timely and cost‑effective shipment of production‑critical material.

Specify and enforce regulatory‑compliant packaging, labeling, and documentation requirements.

Develop and continuously improve logistics, transportation, and trade compliance processes.

Manage and evaluate performance of freight carriers, brokers, and third‑party logistics (3PL) providers.

Maintain freight metrics and cost controls; identify continuous improvement opportunities.

Support internal and external audits, compliance reviews, and corrective actions.

Provide landed cost data for estimating and finance.

Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Eight (8)+ years of progressive experience in import/export compliance and logistics operations.

Demonstrated experience in managing freight carrier relationships and logistics coordination in a global supply chain, including ocean, air, and ground transportation modes (LTL, TL, parcel).

Demonstrated experience with U.S. import/export customs clearance; experience with Department of Defense duty free certificate programs and FTZ operations strongly preferred.

Working knowledge of commercial and DOD packaging and shipping requirements.

Proven team player with strong negotiating and influencing skills.

Professional, motivated and ability to work proactively & autonomously.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with others.

Strategic, analytical and innovative abilities with solid problem solving skills.

Familiarity with shipboard components and machinery preferred.

Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Outlook;
Microsoft Access helpful.

ERP experience desirable.

Third party logistics providers, external freight carriers, suppliers, purchasing, shipping and receiving, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be considered for employment with Austal USA:

18 years of age or older at time of application.

Able to provide proof of U.S. Person Status.

No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date.

No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date.

Willing to submit to a drug screen.

Willing to submit to a background check.

Austal's commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.