Trade Compliance Specialist

Smith & Nephew•Andover, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Smith+Nephew is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Trade Compliance Specialist to support North American customs operations and related compliance activities. The role supports the compliant and timely movement of goods across North America, with primary responsibility for customs clearance, import entry auditing, and day-to-day customs broker management. It also supports HTS classification, country of origin determinations, C-TPAT and supply chain security activities, export controls, sanctions compliance, and other North America Trade Compliance priorities. The Specialist independently handles routine operational matters, investigates discrepancies, maintains accurate and audit-ready records, and exercises sound judgment. The role works cross-functionally to gather product, technical, sourcing, and manufacturing information for classification and origin analysis, document conclusions, and support compliance decisions. Senior team members are available to review complex, novel, or higher-risk matters when appropriate. The position is hybrid and requires regular onsite presence at an assigned Smith+Nephew location. Candidates should live within a reasonable commuting distance of Andover or Mansfield, Massachusetts, or Memphis, Tennessee. The role is not eligible for employer-sponsored immigration support; applicants must already be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, International Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Economics, Customs Administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
At least one year of experience in Trade Compliance, Customs Compliance, Customs Brokerage, Import Operations, Logistics, or a related field.
Practical knowledge of U.S. customs requirements and import entry processes.
Working knowledge of HTS classification principles and ability to gather product information, perform classification analysis, document conclusions, and support routine classification decisions.
Experience reviewing customs documentation and import entries for accuracy and completeness.
Ability to investigate discrepancies, organize supporting documentation, and communicate clearly with brokers and internal stakeholders.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently on routine matters, and seek input appropriately for complex or higher-risk issues.
Ability to work onsite regularly at the assigned Smith+Nephew location.
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States and not require Smith+Nephew sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to Canadian customs requirements.
Experience independently performing HTS classifications.
U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB), or progress toward obtaining licensure.
Experience working directly with customs brokers.
Exposure to Country of Origin determinations, C-TPAT, Export Controls, Sanctions Compliance, Restricted Party Screening, or ECCN classifications.
Experience with SAP, ERP systems, or customs reporting tools.
Experience within the medical device, healthcare, life sciences, or another regulated industry.
Experience using Microsoft Copilot, Power BI, or similar productivity and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

Support timely and compliant customs clearance of import shipments into the United States and Canada.
Review commercial invoices, packing lists, transport documents, classification, value, country of origin, and trade program information for completeness and accuracy.
Respond to broker inquiries, documentation gaps, customs entry requirements, import restrictions, customs holds, and clearance escalations.
Coordinate with internal stakeholders and service providers to resolve customs issues while maintaining compliance.
Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready clearance records.
Perform post-entry audits of classification, valuation, country of origin, trade program eligibility, fees, and other declaration elements.
Document audit findings, investigate exceptions, and coordinate corrections with brokers and internal stakeholders.
Identify recurring errors and trends and support corrective and preventive actions.
Maintain audit trackers, metrics, and supporting documentation; support Post Summary Corrections, protests, and related post-entry activity as needed.
Serve as a day-to-day contact for designated customs brokers and support consistent execution of clearance instructions.
Monitor broker responsiveness, entry accuracy, open issues, and service levels using established metrics and scorecards.
Provide approved classification, origin, valuation, and trade program information and resolve data or documentation discrepancies.
Support broker reviews, onboarding, procedure updates, remediation of recurring issues, and maintenance of broker authorizations, instructions, contacts, and governance documentation.
Gather product specifications, composition details, function, technical documentation, bills of material, and other information needed for HTS classification assessments.
Perform HTS classification analysis using applicable interpretive rules and supporting information, and document the basis for classification decisions.
Work with R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and suppliers to obtain information for classification and origin decisions.
Support country of origin determinations by gathering manufacturing, component, sourcing, and process information and completing initial fact-based analysis.
Maintain classification and origin records, supporting documentation, and audit trails; collaborate with senior team members on complex, novel, or higher-risk matters as appropriate.
Support the C-TPAT program through procedures, evidence, training records, and validation readiness, as assigned.
Assist with supply chain security assessments of facilities, suppliers, logistics providers, and other business partners.
Track identified security gaps and corrective actions and follow up with stakeholders through closure.
Support annual reviews, risk assessments, security profile updates, and other C-TPAT program requirements.
Support export controls and sanctions activities, including restricted party screening, information gathering, recordkeeping, and escalation support, as assigned.
Assist with ECCN data collection and initial assessment activities, collaborating with senior team members as appropriate.
Support internal audits, regulatory inquiries, training, procedures, cross-functional projects, and other North America Trade Compliance priorities.
Provide backup assistance across North America Trade Compliance based on business priorities.