Customs Operations Specialist

Location: Imperial, PA
Duration: 1 year, potential to extend
Pay Rate: $34-40/hr

Position Summary:
The Customs Operations is responsible for managing and supporting import/export customs operations, ensuring compliance with global trade regulations, and resolving shipment-related escalations. Key duties include coordinating import/export license requirements, working with customs brokers and agents, ensuring accurate customs declarations, and mitigating customs risk areas. The specialist will also support tariff classification, valuation, country of origin determinations, and respond to internal and external audits and investigations. Additionally, the role includes driving process improvements, supporting escalation management, and acting as a point of contact for customs-related matters within the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Pre-Entry / Live Shipment Support & Escalation Resolution.
  
  
• Manage gathering, apply and monitor Import/Export License requirements.
  
  
• Work with approved agents to support daily customs clearances and own shipment issue resolution.
  
  
• Identify Customs risks areas and develop actionable plans and procedures to mitigate those risks.
  
  
• Evaluate, development, enhance, and maintenance of internal control programs to ensure compliance with Customs requirements and drive implementation of recommended improvement plans.
  
  
• Participate in Biz QBRs with agents to address their areas of concern.
  
  
• Respond to Internal/External requests & investigations.
  
  
• Interface with the business stakeholders to address questions and concerns.
  
  
• Work with third-party compliance providers to gather technical information from Business Contacts and perform HS classification process.
  
  
• Identify Business contacts to gather technical information to support import HS classification process.
  
  
• Manage escalations for non-response to HTS questions and data requirements.
  
  
• Cycle time & pre-entry escalation reduction projects.
  
  
• Provide Export Operations monitoring & escalation.
  
  
• Ensure that customs declarations of varying complexity are filed accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring “regulatory excellence” in dealing with customs administrations and in accordance with the company standard requirements and applicable law.
  
  
• Ensure the appropriate customs valuation, classification, and country of origin of imported and exported goods is properly utilized.
  
  
• Manage urgent business requests and issue resolution related to more complex customs transactions and supporting functions.
  
  
• Act as business focal point for any customs ops related matters to facilitate and drive process enhancement and adherence.
  
  
• Provide advice & guidance to the businesses on Customs related topics (e.g. valuation, origin, classification) and core Customs processes.
  
  

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or High school diploma/GED with at least 8 years of experience in Customs processes.
  
  
• U.S. Licensed Customs Broker and/or experience with tariff classification, free trade agreements, country of origin determination, trusted trader programs, bonded facilities, management of Customs brokers and 3rd party compliance providers, special Customs programs valuation, transfer pricing, recordkeeping requirements, auditing, procedure testing, trade management systems.
  
  
• Ability to communicate (verbal, written) in English.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, global team environment
  
  
• Ability to energize, develop and build rapport at all levels within the organization.
  
  
• Proven ability to execute, multi-task, and deliver on commitments.
  
  
• Demonstrated expert knowledge and understanding of Customs Regulations and associated processes.
  
  
• Comfortable delivering against quantitative and qualitative performance metrics.
  
  
• Strong teamwork and prioritization skills.
  
  
• Effective interpersonal communication skills with emphasis on building good working relations.
  
  
• Ability to anticipate and resolve challenges efficiently and autonomously.
  
  
• Demonstrated high-level professional ability in both oral and written communication required. Fluency in English.
  
  
• Compliance & controllership mindset.
  
  
• Numerate with a good eye for detail.
  
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Applications.
  
  

Desired Characteristics:

• Professional Customs license.
  
  
• Sense of ownership for assigned responsibilities
  
  
• Highly motivated and not afraid to show initiative
  
  
• Ability to multi-task on a variety of projects to strict time scales.
  
  
• Displays strong interpersonal skills and is accessible and approachable.
  
  
• Additional European languages (other than Hungarian)
  
  
• Knowledge of company customs systems and processes
  
  
• Established networks within the company customs organizations in Europe
  
  
• Application and Impact of PGAs (Partnership Government Agency)
  
  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.