Inbound & Trade Compliance Analyst

Blu Dot•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Blu Dot is seeking an Inbound & Trade Compliance Analyst to manage product movement from international and domestic factories into the Blu Dot network and serve as the company's designated customs compliance contact with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including as ACE Trade Account Owner. This is an individual-contributor role with no direct reports. The role oversees inbound transportation, import and customs compliance, and development of factory-direct drop shipping for the Made For You and Graded-In programs. The analyst leads inbound transportation across ocean, air, drayage, truckload, and LTL; manages transportation and customs-provider relationships; monitors shipments, exceptions, costs, and invoices; and maintains import-compliance data, procedures, records, and internal controls. The role also leads a cross-functional project to establish factory-direct drop-ship capabilities, advises and trains internal teams, supports logistics planning and systems projects, and improves inbound and compliance processes. Blu Dot describes its purpose as inspiring a more creative way of living through good design that's good to everyone. Its stated values include good design, simplicity, respect and dignity, positivity, humility, exceeding expectations, and continuous learning. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Blu Dot is a member of E-Verify.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
At least 5 years of logistics experience, including at least 3 years in international or import logistics.
Working knowledge of U.S. import regulations (19 CFR), HTS classification, and ACE.
Experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders, and cross-functional projects.
Strong analytical skills.
Advanced Excel skills.
Currently authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience with TMS, ERP, and business intelligence tools such as Tableau.
Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) credential.
Knowledge of Blu Dot products.

Responsibilities

Own inbound transportation from factories to Blu Dot facilities across ocean, air, drayage, truckload, and LTL.
Manage forwarder and inbound carrier relationships, including scorecards, service-level compliance, and business reviews.
Track shipments from booking through delivery, manage delays and exceptions, and communicate impacts to Planning and Customer Care.
Monitor inbound freight spending against budget; analyze landed-cost drivers, audit inbound invoices, and recommend cost-reduction opportunities.
Serve as Blu Dot's designated customs compliance contact with CBP, including acting as ACE Trade Account Owner.
Select and manage customs brokers, including powers of attorney and performance, and coordinate day-to-day entry activity.
Maintain HTS classification and product compliance data, including country of origin, valuation, and entry data; review ACE reports and manage post-summary corrections and CBP inquiries.
Monitor tariff changes, model duty impacts, and pursue duty savings through free trade agreements, first sale, drawback, and exclusions.
Ensure compliance with furniture-related import requirements, including the Lacey Act, TSCA Title VI, ISPM-15, and UFLPA forced-labor due diligence.
Maintain the import compliance program, including procedures, recordkeeping, internal controls, and audit readiness; support Canada cross-border compliance.
Lead cross-functional development of factory-direct drop-ship capabilities, initially for the Made For You and Graded-In programs.
Partner with internal teams, factories, and carriers to shape the drop-ship operating model, requirements, and success measures.
Execute the drop-ship project plan and keep leadership informed of progress, risks, and key decisions.
Serve as a subject-matter expert on inbound logistics and trade compliance and train internal teams on relevant requirements.
Contribute inbound and customs requirements to budget planning and logistics systems projects, including TMS selection.
Identify and implement improvements to inbound and compliance processes.