Senior Import Specialist

KLA•Ann Arbor, MI

2d•$100,000 - $170,000

About The Position

The Senior Import Specialist is a key member of KLA’s Global Trade Compliance team, responsible for compliant, efficient, and scalable import and export operations, with a primary focus on U.S. imports. The role covers complex tariff classification, import compliance controls, analytics, audit support, process design, and cross-functional trade compliance initiatives. It partners with Legal, Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Product Management, customs brokers, and regional trade teams to standardize processes, improve data quality, implement automation opportunities, and maintain compliance with customs and export control regulations. The position supports classification and export-control determinations; reviews broker filings, customs documentation, valuation, origin declarations, and trade remedies; and serves as a primary interface for CBP inquiries, audits, reviews, and disclosures. It also develops processes, controls, reporting, dashboards, analytics, and automation initiatives; coordinates with internal teams and external providers; and monitors regulatory developments, risks, and compliance performance.

Requirements

Doctorate (Academic) degree and 0 years of related work experience; Master's-level degree and 3 years of related work experience; or Bachelor's-level degree and 5 years of related work experience.

Nice To Haves

Solid understanding of U.S. Customs regulations, tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, and import documentation.
Experience responding to customs audits and regulatory inquiries.
Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
Experience within semiconductor, electronics, advanced manufacturing, or other technology industries.
LCB, CCS, CES, or similar certification.
Experience with SAP GTS, SAP, ACE reporting, or trade management systems.
Experience crafting controls, validations, automation solutions, and exception-based monitoring.
Sophisticated Excel skills, including Power Query, Pivot Tables, and XLOOKUP.
Ability to analyze large datasets and translate findings into business actions.
Experience supporting workflow automation and digital transformation initiatives.
Skills in import compliance expertise, executive communication, process development and continuous improvement, project leadership, risk management and audit readiness, and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

Support HS/HTS classifications and ECCN determinations for semiconductor equipment, spare parts, components, electronics, software, and related technologies.
Review and validate broker filings, customs documentation, customs values, country-of-origin declarations, and trade remedy applicability.
Act as a primary interface for CBP Requests for Information (CF-28/29s), audits, post-entry reviews, disclosures, and compliance inquiries.
Design, document, and continuously improve import/export processes, controls, SOPs, and governance procedures.
Develop exception reporting, validation controls, systemic data feeds, and compliance monitoring metrics.
Develop and maintain dashboards, compliance analytics, and exception reporting to monitor trade compliance KPIs, identify risks, and support data-driven decisions.
Partner with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and external service providers to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, broker instructions, service expectations, and SOPs.
Lead trade compliance projects, system enhancements, and automation initiatives.
Coordinate with logistics providers, customs brokers, procurement, engineering, and manufacturing teams to standardize global processes.
Support internal and external audits and conduct periodic reviews of trade compliance controls and records.
Monitor regulatory changes and present risk assessments and recommendations to senior leadership.