Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Exports Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

An Exports Analyst is a critical linchpin in the global supply chain, responsible for navigating the complex landscape of international trade regulations to facilitate the timely and lawful movement of goods across borders. This role involves a meticulous blend of logistics coordination, data analysis, and regulatory compliance. The Exports Analyst ensures that all export activities adhere to U.S. and foreign government laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). By managing documentation, coordinating with freight forwarders, and classifying products, you will directly impact the company's ability to operate efficiently and successfully on a global scale, mitigating risks and optimizing supply chain performance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Logistics Coordinator
Import/Export Clerk
Supply Chain Assistant
Compliance Associate

Advancement To:

Senior Exports Analyst / Trade Compliance Specialist
Trade Compliance Manager
Global Logistics Manager
Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

Imports Analyst
Supply Chain Analyst
Customs Brokerage Specialist
Logistics Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage the end-to-end export process, ensuring all shipments are executed in full compliance with U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and other relevant international trade laws.
Prepare, review, and finalize all necessary export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, shipper's letters of instruction (SLI), certificates of origin, and other declarations required by customs authorities.
Accurately file Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES) via the ACE portal, ensuring timely and error-free submissions to avoid transactional delays and penalties.
Determine and assign correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS/Schedule B) codes and Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) for all outbound products, maintaining a robust classification database.
Act as the primary liaison with freight forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers to obtain quotes, book shipments, and proactively resolve any logistical or customs-related issues.
Conduct thorough denied party, sanctioned country, and end-use/end-user screenings for all international transactions to prevent diversions and ensure compliance with OFAC and other government agency regulations.
Maintain a meticulous and audit-ready record-keeping system for all export-related documentation, transactions, and communications, in accordance with regulatory retention requirements.
Analyze and report on key export metrics, such as transit times, freight costs, and carrier performance, to identify trends, drive cost-saving initiatives, and improve operational efficiency.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve internal export compliance procedures, work instructions, and process flows to standardize operations and enhance compliance posture.
Provide expert guidance and training to internal teams, including Customer Service, Sales, and Shipping, on export compliance requirements, documentation, and international shipping protocols.
Proactively monitor and interpret changes in international trade regulations and advise management on the potential impact to the business, recommending necessary process adjustments.
Investigate and resolve compliance-related discrepancies or shipment delays by collaborating with internal and external partners, and prepare voluntary self-disclosures if necessary.
Support internal and external audits by gathering required documentation, answering inquiries, and assisting in the implementation of any corrective action plans.
Manage the application process for export licenses, permits, and other government authorizations, tracking their status and ensuring all license conditions are met.
Vet and onboard new international customers and partners, ensuring they meet all trade compliance criteria before engagement.
Coordinate with the finance department to ensure letters of credit, documentary collections, and other international payment terms are correctly handled in relation to shipping documents.
Evaluate and qualify freight forwarders and other logistics service providers to ensure they meet the company's cost, service, and compliance standards.
Champion a culture of trade compliance excellence throughout the organization by being a subject matter expert and go-to resource for all export-related inquiries.
Analyze complex international orders to determine the most efficient and compliant shipping method, considering factors like destination country requirements, product type, and delivery timeline.
Collaborate with engineering and product management teams to obtain technical specifications needed for accurate ECCN and HTS classification of new or modified products.
Manage and troubleshoot in-transit shipment issues, including customs holds, port congestion, and carrier delays, to minimize impact on customer delivery schedules.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to provide insights into global shipping patterns and costs.
Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and roadmap by identifying opportunities for improved data capture in the export process.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs related to international trade into engineering and IT system requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for projects related to trade compliance software or ERP system enhancements.
Assist in the development and delivery of corporate-wide training materials on a variety of trade compliance topics.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep understanding of U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions.
Proven experience with Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Schedule B classification for a variety of products.
Expertise in determining Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) and understanding licensing requirements.
Hands-on proficiency in filing Electronic Export Information (EEI) via the Automated Export System (AES/ACE).
Experience utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and Global Trade Management (GTM) software.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and data analysis functions.
Thorough knowledge of international shipping documentation, such as Bills of Lading (ocean and air), Commercial Invoices, and Certificates of Origin.
Strong working knowledge of Incoterms® 2020 and their application to sales and shipping.
Experience managing relationships and daily operations with freight forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers.
Ability to conduct denied party screening and interpret results from various screening tools.
Familiarity with letter of credit (L/C) compliance and documentation requirements.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex regulatory and logistical challenges.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of explaining complex topics to various audiences.
Superior organizational and time-management abilities to handle multiple shipments and deadlines simultaneously.
A collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a proven ability to work cross-functionally.
High degree of adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, constantly evolving regulatory environment.
Strong sense of ownership and accountability for the export compliance program.
Critical thinking and a proactive approach to identifying risks and opportunities for improvement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field.
Professional certifications such as Licensed Customs Broker (LCB), Certified Customs Specialist (CCS), or Certified U.S. Export Compliance Officer (CUSECO).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
International Business
Logistics
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct experience in an export operations or trade compliance role.

Preferred:

Experience in a regulated industry, such as aerospace, defense, electronics, or pharmaceuticals.
Proven track record of managing export compliance in a manufacturing or distribution environment.
Direct experience in preparing for and participating in government or internal trade compliance audits.