Import/Export Associate
About The Position
The Import Associate is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the inbound flow of goods from international suppliers. This role ensures timely deliveries, customs compliance, and clear communication across internal teams. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in global logistics, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to support performance tracking through accurate data and reporting. While the current import volume may not be full-time, this position plays a key role in supporting broader supply chain visibility and improvement initiatives. The Import Specialist will spend half of their time supporting Import Logistics, and the other half supporting Production Control.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in import operations, including at least 3 years in international import operations.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Business, or a related field is preferred.
- Proficiency in Excel, including Power Query, pivot tables, and VLOOKUP.
- Strong time management skills and ability to execute tasks accurately in a fast-paced environment.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with global suppliers across different regions and time zones.
- Familiarity with Incoterms and customs processes in other countries.
- Experience supporting Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations.
- Strong understanding of U.S. Customs regulations and international shipping documentation.
- Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.
Responsibilities
- Manage and track import shipments from international suppliers, ensuring on-time, cost-effective delivery.
- Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and internal teams to ensure smooth import operations.
- Gather market and regulation information, analyze and report to supervisor.
- Review and validate commercial invoices, packing lists, import entry summaries and bills of lading for customs compliance and report findings to supervisor.
- Ensure adherence to U.S. import regulations, including HTS classification, bonds, tariffs, valuation, and country-of-origin labeling.
- Maintain accurate import records to support audits and internal controls.
- Monitor on-time delivery performance and update spreadsheets used to track KPIs by product category (e.g., finished goods, coils, anodes, targets, parts).
- Use advanced Excel tools (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, Power Query) to analyze import data and generate reports.
- Partner with departments like Production Control, Purchasing, and Finance to align delivery schedules with business needs.
- Identify and support process improvements in vendor performance and import coordination.
- Communicate with international suppliers regarding delivery updates, documentation needs, and performance feedback.
- Assists in tracking and analyzing open orders, inventory levels and work order status to plan and schedule manufacturing requirements.
- Supports sales and buying forecast activities.
- Confers with department supervisors to determine status of assigned projects.
- Communicate with internal and external suppliers to ensure material requirements for scheduling are met.
- Determines incoming shipment methods for all inbound shipments.
- Play an active role in continuous improvement activities.
- Supports documentation requirements.
- Follows company and departmental principles, rules, guidelines and policies with regards to health and safety, Compliance, ISO & IATF requirements, lean manufacturing principles, and good housekeeping
- Proactively work to improve the efficiency and accuracy of Import operations
- Troubleshoot and work resolve Import related issues, if needed
- Other duties may be assigned.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
