CTPAT & Operations Security Specialist

Forward Air Services•Des Plaines, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The CTPAT & Operations Security Specialist is responsible for administering, interpreting, and enforcing security, regulatory compliance, and related initiatives across the company’s enterprise operational network. They serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) compliance, and supports Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), and customer security objectives. They play a critical role in safeguarding the organization against regulatory, operational, and reputational risk through proactive oversight and audit readiness. They partner closely with Operations, Security, Legal, and Quality teams to ensure consistent, compliant execution security programs across the enterprise.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent required
3+ years’ progressive experience in CTPAT, TSA compliance, air cargo operations, freight forwarding, LTL, or logistics within regulated environments.
Demonstrated working knowledge of CTPAT, TSA, TAPA or similar security compliance programs
Experience supporting audits, inspections, and interactions with government agencies or regulatory bodies.
Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation management skills with an audit ‑ focused mindset.
Effective communicator capable of advising and influencing operational and leadership stakeholders on compliance matters.
Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.).

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
professional certifications such as CTPAT SCSS, ASIS, or Certified Quality Auditor preferred.
Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the enterprise owner and centralized authority for CTPAT compliance strategy, execution, and oversight.
Assess operational practices for compliance risks, conduct gap analyses, and determine appropriate corrective action plans to mitigate regulatory exposure.
Lead and support internal audits and regulatory reviews, providing expert interpretation of findings and required responses.
Validate facility ‑ level compliance with CTPAT and TSA standards, including physical security controls, cargo handling procedures, and chain ‑ of ‑ custody requirements.
Provide authoritative guidance to operations and leadership regarding compliant cargo handling, documentation, exceptions, and security incidents.
Analyze compliance data, trends, and reports to inform leadership decisions related to audit readiness, training effectiveness, and risk exposure.
Collaborate cross ‑ functionally with Legal, Security, Quality, and Operations to resolve complex compliance issues and implement sustainable solutions.
Maintain enterprise ‑ level CTPAT documentation standards and retention practices to ensure continuous audit readiness.
Participate in cross ‑ functional compliance, security, and regulatory initiatives, including TSA and TAPA alignment where applicable.
Travel as needed to conduct site assessments, validate compliance practices, and support continuous improvement efforts.
All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.