CTPAT Program Specialist

Willson International Ltd. • Tonawanda, NY

4h • $73,000 - $82,000 • Remote

About The Position

Willson International, a Customs Brokerage and Third-Party Logistics organization, is seeking an experienced CTPAT Program Specialist to lead and continually enhance its Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program. The role combines supply chain security expertise, risk management, trade compliance knowledge, and stakeholder engagement. The specialist manages the organization’s CTPAT program, including partner risk assessments, importer vetting, security profile maintenance, training, and compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) security requirements.

The specialist serves as the subject matter expert for supply chain security initiatives and partners with internal business units, customers, carriers, brokers, vendors, and government agencies to maintain and strengthen the organization’s security posture. Preference is given to candidates with prior CBP experience, particularly direct work with CTPAT, supply chain security, cargo enforcement, trade operations, or trusted trader programs.

This is a work-from-home role. Willson describes a development-focused, collaborative workplace and offers home internet reimbursement, paid vacation, a 401K program, family medical benefits, care and parental top-ups, and training and certification support.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in supply chain security, trade compliance, customs operations, risk management, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting a CTPAT-certified program.
• Strong knowledge of CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria and CBP Trusted Trader Program requirements.
• Experience conducting security assessments, risk evaluations, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver training programs to diverse audiences.
• Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong investigative, analytical, strategic, and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail and a proactive approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex security requirements clearly and present to executive leadership and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively with personnel at all organizational levels and lead cross-functional initiatives while managing competing priorities.
• Strong understanding of supply chain security, trade compliance, risk management, and international logistics.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access, and experience using compliance, security, and risk-management platforms.

Nice To Haves

• Prior or retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection experience, particularly direct CTPAT, Trusted Trader, cargo security, import specialist, regulatory audit, or enforcement experience.
• Professional certifications related to supply chain security, risk management, customs compliance, investigations, or trade compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the organization’s CTPAT certification and compliance with CBP minimum security criteria.
• Serve as the primary contact for CBP Supply Chain Security Specialists and other government stakeholders.
• Keep CTPAT documentation, procedures, and policies current and aligned with CBP requirements.
• Lead CTPAT validations, revalidations, assessments, and corrective action plans.
• Conduct risk assessments of supply chain partners, including importers, exporters, manufacturers, suppliers, transportation providers, warehouses, and logistics service providers.
• Evaluate business partners against CTPAT requirements and company standards; develop and maintain risk-based partner assessment and monitoring methodologies.
• Identify supply chain vulnerabilities and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead importer onboarding reviews and ongoing due diligence, including enhanced vetting of prospective customers and partners for operational, regulatory, reputational, and security risks.
• Establish and maintain customer acceptance, escalation, and monitoring procedures, collaborating with compliance, legal, operations, and commercial teams on identified risks.
• Manage the annual CTPAT security profile review and risk assessment process, and coordinate and document annual security assessments across applicable business units and facilities.
• Monitor corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives, and maintain records and documentation for audits, validations, and regulatory reviews.
• Develop and enhance supply chain risk-scoring methodologies; analyze security, compliance, operational, and trade data to identify risk levels and trends.
• Recommend enhanced oversight, monitoring, and controls based on risk assessments, and prepare executive-level reporting and program performance metrics.
• Develop and deliver CTPAT and security-awareness training for employees; maintain current training materials, promote security awareness, measure training effectiveness, and identify improvements.
• Develop and facilitate training for customers, carriers, suppliers, brokers, transportation providers, and other partners, and advise them on CTPAT requirements and compliant supply-chain practices.
• Maintain relationships with CBP, industry associations, and regulatory stakeholders; monitor emerging threats, regulatory developments, and industry trends.
• Represent the organization during audits, validations, conferences, industry events, and customer meetings.

Benefits

• Work-from-home environment and home internet reimbursement.
• Three weeks of paid vacation for all new hires.
• 401K program.
• Family medical benefit coverage, including significant mental-health practitioner coverage.
• Compassionate Care top-ups.
• Maternity/Parental top-ups.
• Training and coverage of certification costs.
• Recognition of staff and celebration of milestones and personal occasions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed