Lead Trade Compliance Specialist

S&C Electric Company•Chicago, IL

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Trade Compliance Analyst will play a critical role in establishing, stabilizing, and elevating S&C’s global trade compliance function. This is a newly created position designed for a hands-on expert who can step into an unstructured environment, assess current gaps, clean and organize complex data, and build sustainable processes from the ground up. The analyst will serve as a key subject-matter resource on import and export regulations, classification, documentation, and compliance controls, while partnering closely with cross-functional teams across Supply Chain, Logistics, Legal, Procurement, and Finance. This role requires a proactive problem- solver who can develop new workflows, train internal teams, manage broker relationships, and ensure the company meets all regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, brings order to chaos, and drives continuous improvement to create a strong, scalable trade compliance foundation for the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Business, Supply Chain Logistics, or related field.
Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) or Licensed Customs Broker
Strong Excel or data analysis capability (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data cleansing).
7+ years of experience in an logistics role with specific experience in trade compliance, such as with import/export regulations
Strong knowledge of U.S. import and export regulations (CBP, BIS, EAR, OFAC, FTA rules, valuation, origin, duty programs).
Expertise in HTS, Schedule B, and HS classification, including building and maintaining accurate classification databases.
Ability to clean, validate, and organize large, complex datasets (broker data, ERP data, classification records).
Experience creating new trade compliance processes, SOPs, workflows, and controls from the ground up.
Proven success improving or rebuilding compliance programs, documentation flows, and audit readiness.
Experience working in Oracle, SAP, or similar ERP systems, especially trade compliance modules.
Ability to design and maintain compliance reporting, dashboards, and audit metrics.
Experience managing import/export documentation (COOs, affidavits, commercial invoices, packing lists).
Knowledge of duty drawback, post entry corrections, PSCs, protests, and reconciliation processes.
Familiarity with sanctioned party screening, restricted party lists, and escalation procedures.
Strong problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset (root cause analysis, corrective actions)
Ability to work in an unstructured environment and bring order, clarity, and standardization.
Experience in training, educating, and influencing cross functional teams on compliance requirements and new processes.
Strong communication skills for explaining complex regulatory topics to non-experts.
Ability to collaborate effectively with Legal, Supply Chain, Logistics, Procurement, Finance, and external brokers.
Experience supporting internal and external trade compliance audits.
Ability to manage relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and government agencies.
High attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation quality.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing tasks in a fast changing environment.

Nice To Haves

Certified International Trade Professional (CITP)
Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher)
Oracle experience
Experience with Global Trade Management (GTM) systems

Responsibilities

Lead and rebuild the day-to-day activities of S&C’s trade compliance function. Establish procedures, refine those that are outdated, and serve as the primary subject-matter expert on complex trade and compliance matters. Develop scalable processes while ensuring accurate, compliant import and export entry records.
Create and standardize classification processes for goods using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), Schedule B, and Harmonized System codes. Review and clean existing classification data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and duty-savings optimization.
Provide hands-on guidance and training to internal teams on export and import requirements while building cross-functional understanding and alignment across the organization.
Develop, implement, and maintain new documentation workflows for Certificates of Origin, Manufacture Affidavits, and other required trade documents. Identify gaps in current documentation practices and drive improvements.
Evaluate and correct existing import/export documentation, identifying inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and duty drawback opportunities. Build and implement improved processes for documentation management and related Oracle ERP transactions.
Overhaul and support post-entry correction processes, ensuring all historical and future documentation is complete, accurate, and audit ready.
Design, build, and maintain reporting metrics for internal trade compliance audits—including clearance accuracy, duty/tax visibility, and other key indicators. Collaborate closely with the Manager – Global Trade Compliance to prepare for internal and external audits.
Drive corrective actions stemming from audits or compliance issues, establishing sustainable processes to prevent recurrence. Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and proactively recommend updates to internal processes and compliance controls.
Partner with Legal Services and other internal groups to ensure sales and vendor transactions meet sanctioned-party screening and other regulatory requirements. Escalate complex issues appropriately while improving cross-functional compliance awareness.
Manage and formalize Power of Attorney processes with customs brokers and freight forwarders, ensuring documentation is current, accurate, and aligned with new procedures.
Adhere to all applicable company policies and rules while helping shape new compliance standards and expectations for this newly established function.
Develop, implement, and manage KPIs that measure trade compliance performance, highlight risk areas, and track process efficiency. Build clear reporting tools and dashboards that provide leadership with ongoing visibility into compliance trends and continuous improvement opportunities.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Attend in-person or virtual meetings as requested or required.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
Other responsibilities as assigned.