Lead Customs Compliance Specialist, FTZ

CTDI•Jeffersonville, IN

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for overseeing daily Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations to ensure compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, Foreign-Trade Zone requirements, and applicable import and export regulations. This position manages FTZ data, documentation, filings, reporting, audits, inventory reconciliation, and regulatory recordkeeping. The Customs Compliance Specialist will partner with FTZ Manager, FTZ team, customs brokers, warehouse personnel, Inventory Control and Reporting Systems (ICRS) personnel, internal business teams, and regulatory agencies to resolve operational and compliance issues, reduce risk, and improve processes. This position also provides technical guidance and training to support consistent execution of FTZ requirements.

Requirements

Minimum of three years of experience in FTZ operations, import and export compliance, customs brokerage, or a related trade compliance function.
Strong knowledge of CBP regulations, 19 CFR Part 146, FTZ procedures, bonded warehouse operations, and U.S. import and export requirements.
Knowledge of Partner Government Agency requirements, tariffs, licensing requirements, Customs entry processes, and trade compliance controls.
Hands-on experience with FTZ admissions, transfers, withdrawals, consumption entries, in-bond movements, audits, Customs documentation, import and export processes, and regulatory recordkeeping.
Experience with FTZ systems, the ACE Portal, electronic filing platforms, ERP systems, WMS platforms, and trade compliance systems.
Working knowledge of tariff classification, valuation, Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification, country of origin, rules of origin, and applicable trade agreements.
Ability to analyze data, identify anomalies and compliance risks, resolve complex transaction issues, and recommend process improvements.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively with employees, management, customs brokers, government agencies, and cross-functional teams.
Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast-paced warehouse and compliance environment.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and Word.
United States (Required)
Must be 18 years of age

Nice To Haves

Experience with SAP, ICRS, Copper Hill, or similar systems preferred.
Demonstrates leadership ability
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, Customs Compliance, or a related field strongly preferred
Customs or trade compliance certification preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee daily FTZ operations and provide operational zone coverage as needed.
Identify, validate, troubleshoot, and resolve inventory, transaction, system, and documentation discrepancies.
Prepare, review, reconcile, and maintain FTZ and Customs filings, including admissions, pre- 214/concurrence, electronic CBP Form 214, CBP Form 216, CBP Form 3461, CBP Form 7501, and CBP Form 7512.
Maintain FTZ and Customs documentation in accordance with applicable regulatory recordretention requirements.
Coordinate in-bond movements with the FTZ team, verify in-bond arrivals, and support inbound and outbound product movements through applicable internal and external systems.
Ensure compliance with CBP and FTZ regulations, 19 CFR Part 146, U.S. trade laws, Partner Government Agency requirements, tariffs, licensing requirements, and applicable import and export regulations.
Follow OSHA standards, company safety procedures, and established warehouse and operational controls.
Conduct and support internal and external audits, compliance reviews, file and transaction reviews, and process assessments.
Identify compliance risks and process gaps and recommend improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and regulatory readiness.
Provide technical FTZ guidance to coordinators, zone management, warehouse personnel, and internal business teams.
Support the investigation and escalation of FTZ and trade compliance concerns as needed.
Prepare and support required FTZ reporting, including annual reports submitted to CBP and the FTZ Board.
Provide routine FTZ activity reports, compliance updates, and exception summaries to management.
Validate FTZ data against source documentation to support accurate system integration, inventory reporting, transaction processing, and recordkeeping.
Maintain FTZ procedures, standard operating procedures, manuals, work instructions, process controls, and training materials.
Train FTZ coordinators, zone management, warehouse employees, and internal business teams on applicable FTZ processes and requirements.
Partner with warehouse personnel, internal teams, customs brokers, regulatory agencies, CBP, and management to ensure established FTZ procedures are followed.
Support processes involving FTZ systems, ERP and WMS platforms, the ACE Portal, electronic filings, trade compliance systems, ICRS, Copper Hill, and related applications.
Analyze FTZ and inventory data to identify anomalies, compliance risks, process gaps, costsaving opportunities, and operational efficiencies.
Perform additional duties as assigned.