Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Global Trade Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

A Global Trade Analyst is the organization's frontline expert and guardian of international commerce. This individual is strategically positioned at the intersection of supply chain, legal, and finance, responsible for ensuring that all cross-border movements of goods are executed in full compliance with the myriad of customs laws and trade regulations. More than just a gatekeeper, the Global Trade Analyst proactively identifies risks, uncovers duty-saving opportunities, and provides critical guidance to business stakeholders. They are the key to maintaining an efficient, cost-effective, and resilient global supply chain, directly protecting the company from fines, shipment delays, and reputational damage.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Import/Export Coordinator
Logistics or Supply Chain Specialist
Compliance or Legal Paralegal with a focus on trade

Advancement To:

Senior Global Trade Analyst or Trade Compliance Specialist
Global Trade Compliance Manager
Director of Global Trade or International Logistics

Lateral Moves:

Supply Chain Analyst / Manager
Sourcing & Procurement Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Meticulously determine and assign correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs), and Country of Origin for all products, maintaining a robust and auditable database to support all classification decisions.
Manage and oversee relationships with customs brokers and freight forwarders, establishing clear performance metrics and conducting regular reviews to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance in all customs declarations.
Conduct comprehensive post-entry audits of import and export filings prepared by brokers to verify accuracy of value, classification, country of origin, and other key data elements, initiating corrective actions like Post Summary Corrections when necessary.
Serve as the primary point of contact for resolving complex customs-related issues, such as customs holds, inspections, and formal inquiries from government agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Analyze, interpret, and apply international trade regulations from various government agencies (e.g., CBP, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)) to daily business transactions.
Champion the utilization of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like USMCA by gathering and validating supplier certificates of origin, qualifying finished goods for preferential duty treatment, and ensuring all documentation is flawlessly maintained.
Develop, implement, and maintain internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and best practices for import and export activities to ensure consistent and compliant operations across the organization.
Act as the internal Subject Matter Expert (SME) on global trade compliance, providing clear and actionable guidance to internal teams including Logistics, Sourcing, Engineering, and Sales on the implications of trade regulations on their operations.
Process and manage all necessary import and export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, shipper's letters of instruction (SLI), and certificates of origin, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Oversee the company’s export control program by performing denied party screening, identifying export license requirements, and preparing and submitting license applications when applicable.
Ensure proper valuation of all imported merchandise in accordance with customs regulations, working closely with finance and sourcing teams to account for assists, royalties, and other additions to the price paid or payable.
Track, analyze, and report on key trade compliance metrics, including duty spend, broker performance, and compliance audit results, to senior management.
Proactively monitor changes in global trade laws, sanctions, and tariff regimes, and effectively communicate the potential business impact to relevant stakeholders.
Manage the company's duty drawback program by identifying eligible transactions, gathering required documentation, and preparing and filing claims to recover duties.
Collaborate with the logistics team to ensure carrier and forwarder compliance with security initiatives such as C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism).
Investigate and resolve discrepancies in shipping documents and customs entries, working with internal teams and external partners to implement permanent corrective actions.

Secondary Functions

Support the legal and finance departments during internal and external audits by gathering requested trade data and providing expert explanations for compliance procedures.
Develop and deliver engaging trade compliance training materials and sessions for various departments within the organization to raise awareness and ensure a strong culture of compliance.
Assist in researching, analyzing, and implementing duty mitigation strategies, such as using bonded warehouses, foreign trade zones (FTZs), or tariff engineering, to reduce costs.
Collaborate with the IT department to recommend and implement enhancements to the Global Trade Management (GTM) system or other related software to improve efficiency and data integrity.
Support new product introduction (NPI) projects by providing early-stage analysis of trade compliance requirements and potential duty impacts for proposed materials and manufacturing locations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expertise in Product Classification: Deep, practical knowledge of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), Schedule B, and Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN).
Regulatory Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of U.S. customs regulations (19 CFR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR).
Trade Program Management: Proven experience managing and leveraging Free Trade Agreements (e.g., USMCA), duty drawback, and other trade preference programs.
Data Analysis & Reporting: High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and complex formula creation, for analyzing trade data and creating insightful reports.
Global Trade Management (GTM) Systems: Hands-on experience with trade compliance software such as SAP GTS, Oracle GTM, Amber Road, or similar platforms.
Broker & Forwarder Management: Demonstrable experience in managing and auditing the performance of third-party customs brokers and freight forwarders.

Soft Skills

Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to identify and correct minute errors in large datasets and complex documentation to prevent significant financial or legal repercussions.
Analytical Problem-Solving: The skill to dissect complex trade issues, analyze root causes, and develop practical and compliant solutions.
Clear & Concise Communication: The ability to articulate complex trade and customs concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Project Management & Organization: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: A natural ability to build strong working relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse teams across geographies and functions, including legal, finance, engineering, and logistics.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year university.

Preferred Education:

Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) certification is highly desirable.
Advanced degree or certification in a relevant field (e.g., CUSICO, CUSECO).

Relevant Fields of Study:

International Business or Trade
Supply Chain Management & Logistics
Business Administration or Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of direct experience in a global trade compliance, import/export, or customs-focused role.

Preferred: Experience working within a corporate trade compliance department for a multinational importer/exporter is strongly preferred over experience solely in a brokerage or freight forwarding environment.