Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Trade Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

In this pivotal role, you will be the backbone of our global logistics operations. As a Trade Coordinator, you will orchestrate the entire import and export process, from coordinating with international suppliers to ensuring timely delivery to our end customers. You are not just managing paperwork; you are a strategic partner who identifies cost-saving opportunities, mitigates risks, and ensures our trade activities are fully compliant with a complex web of international regulations. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, possesses an unwavering attention to detail, and excels at building strong relationships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and internal stakeholders.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Logistics Assistant
Shipping Clerk
Supply Chain Intern

Advancement To:

Senior Trade Coordinator
Logistics Manager
Trade Compliance Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Procurement Specialist
Supply Chain Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage the entire end-to-end lifecycle of international and domestic shipments, including carrier booking, movement tracking, and final delivery confirmation.
Prepare, review, and meticulously process all necessary import and export documentation, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading (ocean and air), and certificates of origin.
Serve as the primary operational liaison between international suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, carriers, and warehouse teams to ensure seamless cargo flow.
Ensure 100% compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, as well as the trade laws and requirements of other relevant import/export countries.
Proactively track and trace all in-transit shipments from origin to final destination, identifying potential delays and communicating status updates to internal stakeholders in real-time.
Coordinate the timely customs clearance process by providing complete, accurate information to brokers and actively resolving any customs holds, exams, or inquiries.
Assist in the classification of products using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes and ensure proper valuation and country of origin declarations for all imported goods.
Request, analyze, and negotiate competitive freight quotes from various carriers and forwarders for ocean, air, and truckload shipments to optimize transportation costs.
Audit, verify, and approve freight and brokerage invoices, disputing discrepancies and ensuring all charges align with negotiated rates and service agreements.
Maintain a comprehensive and organized digital filing system for all trade-related documentation to ensure audit-readiness and easy retrieval.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for logistics partners, including on-time delivery, cost per unit, and overall service quality.
Prepare and file insurance claims for goods damaged or lost during transit, managing the entire process from initial report to final settlement.
Collaborate closely with purchasing, sales, and planning teams to align shipping schedules with inventory requirements and customer delivery expectations.
Stay informed of evolving international trade regulations, sanctions, tariffs, and Incoterms to ensure ongoing compliance and mitigate supply chain risks.
Utilize the company's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to process shipments, update order statuses, and maintain accurate logistics data.
Coordinate container drayage from ports to designated warehouses and manage final-mile delivery logistics to ensure efficient inventory receipt.
Investigate and resolve any shipping discrepancies, such as quantity shortages/overages or quality issues, in collaboration with suppliers and receiving teams.
Generate regular and ad-hoc reports on shipping activities, freight spend, transit times, and carrier performance for management review and strategic decision-making.
Manage relationships with logistics service providers, participating in regular business reviews to drive performance and service improvements.
Ensure all export shipments are properly screened against denied party lists and adhere to Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Secondary Functions

Assist the finance department with freight cost accruals and auditing processes to ensure financial accuracy.
Contribute to continuous improvement projects aimed at optimizing logistics processes, reducing transportation costs, and improving lead times.
Support the onboarding and evaluation of new logistics service providers, including freight forwarders and customs brokers.
Maintain and update the internal database of shipping rates, carrier information, and compliance documentation templates.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in Import/Export Documentation (Bills of Lading, Commercial Invoices, AES filings).
Strong understanding of Incoterms 2020 and their practical application.
Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, Formulas) for data analysis and reporting.
Working knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations and trade compliance principles.
Familiarity with Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification.
Experience working directly with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and steamship lines.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate unforeseen logistics challenges.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with global partners.
Superior time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple urgent tasks.
Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
Strong interpersonal skills for building and maintaining effective professional relationships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree or higher.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics
International Business

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of direct experience in an international logistics, trade coordination, or freight forwarding role.

Preferred: Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) or similar certification is a strong plus. Experience with specific trade lanes (e.g., Asia-Pacific, Europe) and transportation modes (Ocean FCL/LCL, Airfreight) is highly desirable.