We have been retained to support a global, high-technology aerospace & defence firm to appoint an Import & Export Compliance Specialist. This role sits within a well-established compliance function and supports complex US import and export activities across multiple programmes and stakeholders.
The Role
You will act as a trusted trade compliance partner to the business, providing hands-on operational support alongside regulatory guidance across US import and export compliance matters. The role combines day-to-day execution with advisory, audit, and continuous improvement responsibilities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing regulatory guidance to internal stakeholders on US trade compliance matters
- Managing daily import and export activities, including coordination with customs brokers and freight forwarders
- Reviewing exports to determine appropriate export authorisations
- Classifying products for import and export (USML, ECCN, HTS, Country of Origin)
- Partnering with internal functions such as Supply Chain and Programme Management to ensure regulatory compliance
- Drafting, updating, and maintaining compliance procedures, work instructions, templates, and forms
- Delivering trade compliance training to internal customers
- Conducting internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments
- Supporting broader compliance projects, assessments, and reporting initiatives
- Undertaking additional duties aligned to the role as required
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a hands-on US trade compliance professional with strong technical knowledge and the ability to operate confidently in a regulated, cross-functional environment.
Required qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 4 years’ relevant experience in US import and export compliance
- Strong working knowledge of FTR, CBP regulations, ITAR, and EAR
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams)
Preferred:
- Licensed US Customs Broker
Skills & Competencies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with global, cross-functional teams
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
- Comfortable interpreting technical and regulatory documentation
- Professional, detail-oriented, and business-focused
- Able to build trust and maintain strong stakeholder relationships
Leonid Group Corporate Governance is a talent advisory firm that specialises in the placement of Legal, Compliance, Risk, ESG and Sustainability and Audit professionals on an international scale across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. These are global disciplines with teams worldwide, and our network reflects this. We work with multinational corporations to help structure their departments with the best people, from the Global Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel to the Compliance Analyst and Trade Compliance Specialist.