Import Specialist
Indexed description
Our Team
The Import Specialist is responsible for coordinating, executing, and monitoring all import activities to ensure materials, equipment, supplies, and components are received on time and in full compliance with applicable customs, trade, and company requirements.
What You Will Do
- Coordinate import operations for raw materials, components, equipment, tools, and indirect supplies.
- Review and validate import documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, air waybills, certificates of origin, and customs declarations.
- Work closely with customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, suppliers, and internal departments to ensure timely customs clearance.
- Ensure compliance with customs regulations, IMMEX/Maquila requirements, tariff classifications, origin criteria, and internal procedures.
- Monitor inbound shipments and proactively escalate potential delays, documentation issues, or customs holds.
- Maintain accurate import records and support internal, external, and government audits.
- Validate HTS codes, country of origin, values, Incoterms, and import permits when applicable.
- Coordinate with Purchasing, Planning, Warehouse, Finance, and Compliance teams to align material arrivals with business needs.
- Support duty optimization, temporary import controls, and reconciliation of import documentation.
- Track import KPIs such as clearance time, documentation accuracy, shipment delays, broker performance, and compliance incidents.
- Identify opportunities to improve import processes, reduce manual work, and strengthen customs compliance controls.
- Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in import/export, customs, logistics, or trade compliance.
- Knowledge of customs regulations, import processes, Incoterms, HTS classification, and IMMEX/Maquila operations.
- Experience working with customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, and international suppliers.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage urgent shipments.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP systems; SAP experience preferred.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
- Customs compliance mindset
- Cross-functional communication
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
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