Head of Compliance (Shipping, Dangerous Goods)

Easyship•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Easyship is seeking a Head of Compliance to lead its dangerous goods, prohibited-item, and dual-use goods compliance programmes. The role owns the policies, controls, inspections, and incident-response processes that help ensure shipments are safe, compliant, and accepted by carrier partners. It also builds and leads inspection teams and works across Operations, Product, Engineering, Legal, and courier partners to strengthen screening while balancing regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and business growth. The position leads Easyship’s end-to-end dangerous goods compliance programme; develops policies and screening rules aligned with IATA DGR, IMDG, ADR, and carrier requirements; and oversees training and certification requirements. It manages prohibited and restricted-item policies, dual-use and export-controlled goods controls, escalated shipment decisions, inspection operations, carrier relationships, incident response, and compliance reporting. The role also partners with Product and Engineering on automated screening and detection, including AI and LLM technologies, and delivers shipment-safety and restricted-item training.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in dangerous goods, shipping, or logistics compliance, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Experience building and managing dangerous goods compliance programmes, with knowledge of IATA DGR, IMDG, and/or ADR regulations.
Understanding of prohibited goods, restricted items, dual-use goods, and export controls.
Experience managing carrier audits, compliance reviews, incident investigations, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Familiarity with automated screening and detection tools, including AI and LLM technologies.
Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical operational processes, screening rules, and product improvements.
Strong communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills, with the ability to work across global teams.
Proactive and detail-oriented, with the ability to balance compliance, operational efficiency, and business growth in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading inspection or operational teams, ideally in logistics, warehousing, fulfilment, or freight.
Relevant dangerous goods certifications (IATA DGR, IMDG, ADR, or DGSA).
Experience delivering compliance training.

Responsibilities

Lead Easyship’s end-to-end dangerous goods compliance programme and prevent prohibited or restricted items from entering the network.
Develop and maintain dangerous goods policies and screening rules aligned with IATA DGR, IMDG, ADR, and carrier requirements.
Ensure relevant teams meet dangerous goods training, certification, and recertification requirements.
Define and maintain prohibited- and restricted-item policies aligned with carrier requirements and applicable international regulations.
Manage controls for dual-use and export-controlled goods, partnering with the Head of Trade, Duty & Tax Compliance on sanctions and export controls.
Work with Product and Engineering to improve automated screening and detection capabilities, including AI and LLM technologies.
Decide escalated shipment cases and establish criteria for holding, rejecting, or reporting non-compliant items.
Build and manage pre-inspection and on-site inspection teams, including performance targets, training plans, and career development pathways.
Establish inspection protocols, escalation procedures, and incident-response processes across global warehouse and fulfilment facilities.
Manage inspection quality, staffing, coverage, and throughput while balancing compliance and operational efficiency.
Partner with courier and carrier partners on dangerous goods policies, restricted-item lists, audits, incidents, and compliance reviews.
Manage carrier claims and penalties and work with merchants to address repeat non-compliance.
Collaborate with Customer Success and Marketing to educate merchants on restricted and prohibited goods.
Monitor dangerous goods incidents, near-misses, and compliance trends, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Maintain compliance risk registers and report KPIs, inspection performance, and programme updates to leadership.
Deliver shipment-safety and restricted-item training, and manage relationships with external consultants, auditors, and regulatory bodies.