Inbound & Trade Compliance Analyst

Blu Dot•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Inbound & Trade Compliance Analyst manages the flow of products from Blu Dot’s international and domestic factories into its network and serves 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 analyst oversees inbound transportation, import and customs compliance, and the development of factory-direct drop-ship capabilities for the Made For You and Graded-In programs. The role owns inbound transportation across ocean, air, drayage, truckload, and LTL; manages forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers; monitors shipment progress, freight spending, and landed costs; and ensures invoice accuracy. It maintains import compliance data and processes, including HTS classification, country of origin, valuation, entry information, recordkeeping, internal controls, and audit readiness. The analyst also monitors tariff changes, evaluates duty-saving opportunities, addresses CBP inquiries, and supports Canada cross-border compliance. The analyst leads cross-functional work to establish factory-direct drop-ship operations, partnering with internal teams, factories, and carriers to define the operating model, requirements, success measures, and project plan. The role also serves as a subject matter expert, trains internal teams, contributes inbound and customs requirements to budget planning and logistics systems projects, and improves logistics 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 curiosity. The company welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

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.
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience with TMS, ERP, and BI 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 agreement 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 freight, duties, fees, detention, and demurrage; audit invoices; and recommend cost-reduction opportunities.
Serve as Blu Dot’s designated customs compliance contact with CBP, including 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, and support Canada cross-border compliance.
Lead the cross-functional effort to develop factory-direct drop-ship capabilities 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.
Act 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.