Import/Export Specialist bei Volm Companies

Job Title:              Import/Export Specialist               

Reports to:         Director of Supply Chain

Job Summary

The Import/Export Specialist oversees and optimizes international shipping and receiving activities, ensuring compliance with global trade regulations, manages freight forwarders and customs brokers, and coordinates with internal teams. This position drives efficiency and reliability in the movement of goods across borders, enabling timely delivery and minimizing operational risk.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Essential Duties

• Ensure adherence to international trade laws, customs regulations, and company policies.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of import/export regulations in key markets.
• Prepare, review, and manage shipping documentation including bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin.
• Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and carriers.  
• Collaborate with purchasing, sales, and warehouse teams to ensure alignment of logistics activities with business objectives.
• Identify risks in international logistics and customs compliance; develop and execute contingency plans.
• Manage and recommend solutions and automation to drive service efficiencies.
• Create and report on key performance indicators within trade compliance and logistics.
• Serve as the primary contact to resolve shipment delays, security incidents, customs clearance issues, and customs/Other Government Agency (OGA) inspections.
• Collaborate with the management team to develop and execute compliance activities.
• Conduct risk assessments and compliance audits in support of Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) submissions.
• Oversee import and export classifications, including United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule (US HTS), Canadian Harmonized Tariff Schedule (CA HTS), and other applicable country requirements, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Manage Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) submissions.
• Determine actual use provision opportunities.
• Identify and monitor customs valuation.

Required Skills and Abilities

• The ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without direct supervision.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• The ability to clearly express and articulate key topics and information to stakeholders.
• Proficiency in lean, continuous improvement, and quality methodologies and tools.
• Commitment to safety, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
• The capacity to think critically, calculate, analyze, and track details/figures/data and make competent decisions based on those details/figures/data.
• The ability to work effectively with people across different teams, departments, and physical locations.

Education and Experience

• Knowledge of international trade regulations, logistics practices, customs compliance, documentation standards, and supply chain management principles normally acquired by the completion of a bachelor’s degree in international business, supply chain management, or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in import/export operations, including freight forwarding and collaboration with customs brokers, preferably within a distribution or logistics environment.
• Experience with Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification, duty drawback programs, and global logistics strategy.
• Certification in Customs Compliance or International Trade (e.g., CUSECO, CITP) preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around for extended periods of time.
• Proficiency in using hands, fingers, and arms for tasks such as typing and writing.
• Sufficient visual acuity to read documents and recognize details at close and distant ranges.
• Ability to hear and understand verbal communication.
• Willingness to adhere to safety protocols and wear protective gear, including helmets, goggles, gloves, and safety shoes, as required by the job.

Company Culture & Values

• A Commitment to Our Purpose (COMMITTED PEOPLE) – Our mission is to serve and build up our customers, suppliers, communities, and each other, guided by the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The commitment to serving and building up is easily seen in those employees that exemplify this value.
• Without Our Customers We Are Nothing (CUSTOMER FIRST) – We realize that we are blessed to serve our customers and without them, our company does not exist.  They rely on us for their success and that is a responsibility we cannot take lightly.  Our focus must be on serving them with as seamless communication and access to products as possible.
• Kind, Humble and Positive (HUMBLE) – These positive traits do not mean being a doormat to others.  But when a person is kind, humble and positive it comes through in their genuine caring for those around them.
• A Desire For “Expert” (EXPERTS) – Our people want to be seen as the experts in their specific roles.  From how we convert a bag efficiently and with highest quality, to knowledge of the product portfolio, to desiring to know more about tax or human resource policy – the desire for “expert” drives us in each of our roles.
• Intentional Growth – Developing of Self and Others (PERSONAL GROWTH)– Times, tools, and customer expectations change.  Our team members are interested in developing themselves and those around them.   We know that a stronger team is one that makes our customers and our fellow employees happier.
• Strong Work Ethic (HARD WORKERS) – The commitment to serve those around us is honorable and we respond to this by putting our strongest effort into that purpose.
• High Expectations of Self and Others (HIGH EXPECTATIONS) – We expect ourselves, and those around us, to put in our best effort.  When others struggle, we help them align towards perfection.  When we struggle, we are open and humble to hear it and course-correct accordingly.
• If It Isn’t Safe, We Don’t Do It (SAFETY) – All people deserve to return home to their loved ones safely and work in an environment where they can best execute their tasks safely.  When choosing between safety and profit, safety and efficiency, safety and feelings, safety, and “x” – we choose safety.

Travel Requirements 

This position requires occasional overnight travel and routine travel within the workday.

Driver Qualification

The ability to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle on behalf of the company may be required.  Inclusion in the company’s driver qualification program is required to drive a company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle. 

Becoming a qualified driver includes:

• Agree to the company driving policies that apply to company owned/leased vehicle or personal vehicle as applicable.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver license and be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record, as evidenced by completion of a baseline motor vehicle record check and ongoing monitoring.
• When driving a personal vehicle on behalf of the company, must provide a copy of the declaration page from personal auto insurance that shows the policy dates and minimum coverage amounts ($300,000 bodily injury per accident/$100,000 property damage per accident or if driving less than 5 hours/200 miles a year $50,000 bodily injury per accident/$10,000 property damage per accident or the state minimum, whichever is more). This requirement is initially and then annually thereafter.

This job description is intended as a general outline of the primary responsibilities of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove any responsibilities, duties, or activities as deemed necessary with or without notice. 

Volm Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics. If you require reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job, please inform us and we will work with you to address your needs.

Benefits

As a family-owned and operated company, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. We offer a strong foundation of benefits, including access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, an HSA employer contribution, and a 401k with profit sharing to secure your future. To support your overall well-being and family life, we offer additional benefits beyond the core package, such as paid vacation, wellness stipends, childcare reimbursement assistance, and much more. We are committed to continuously enhancing our benefits to meet the evolving needs of our team.