Customs & Trade Compliance Specialist

Overview

Trinseo is a different kind of global materials company - at the intersection of people, technology, and customers. We are a world leader in the production of plastics and latex binders. Our culture is built on passion and innovation.

A career at Trinseo presents a unique opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment. Helping customers solve their most complex material challenges is the reason we come to work each day. We are seeking innovative thinkers - ready to tackle any challenge and passionate about delivering value.

As a global materials solutions provider focused on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to our customers, we need people to feel respected and included so they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. We strive to create workplaces that reflect all communities and customers we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. That's why we're fully committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience to drive us forward every day.

Overview (Scope of Role)

Customs & Trade Compliance Specialist ensures compliant, efficient, and uninterrupted international trade operations across the Americas. The role oversees customs compliance processes, maintains regulatory certifications, and serves as the primary interface with customs authorities, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other trade partners. By providing regional expertise, governance, and oversight, the position minimizes regulatory and operational risk, supports business continuity, and helps protect the company's license to operate in global markets.

Responsibilities

• Trade Operations & Broker Oversight
  • Manage day-to-day import and export compliance activities and support resolution of customs-related operational issues.
  • Coordinate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and service providers to ensure accurate and compliant customs filings.
  • Review broker performance, monitor compliance with operating procedures, and resolve transactional discrepancies.
  • Manage post-entry activities, corrections, duty recovery opportunities, and broker issue resolution.
• Classification, Origin & FTA
  • Perform and maintain tariff classifications and country of origin determinations.
  • Make classification, origin, and trade program eligibility determinations in accordance with applicable regulations and company procedures.
  • Evaluate and qualify products under free trade agreements and other trade preference programs, including management of supplier declarations, trade preference master data, and qualification rules.
  • Maintain supporting documentation, records, and audit trails related to classification, origin, and trade program qualification.
  • Identify opportunities for duty savings, trade program utilization, and customs optimization.
• Compliance Monitoring & Controls
  • Execute compliance reviews, transactional testing, and internal control activities to assess adherence to customs regulations and company policies.
  • Identify, assess, and escalate customs and trade compliance risks and support mitigation activities.
  • Investigate compliance discrepancies and support development and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
  • Support internal audits, external audits, customs assessments, and government inquiries.
  • Monitor regulatory changes and evaluate potential impacts on business processes, compliance requirements, and internal controls.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen trade compliance processes and controls.
  • Support Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), Trusted Trader, and similar customs program certifications, validations, and periodic re-assessments.
• Business Support & Advisory
  • Provide guidance to business stakeholders on customs and trade compliance requirements.
  • Assess compliance impacts associated with new products, sourcing changes, acquisitions, and supply chain initiatives.
  • Support resolution of escalated customs and trade compliance issues.
  • Recommend compliant, practical, and efficient solutions that support business objectives while mitigating trade compliance risk
• Systems & Data Management
  • Partner with IT and external support providers to investigate and resolve system defects.
  • Support SAP GTS and other trade compliance systems through master data maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, and continuous process improvement activities.
  • Maintain trade compliance data integrity and identify opportunities for process and system improvements.
  • Analyze trade compliance data to identify trends, compliance risks, duty savings opportunities, and process improvement initiatives
• Training & Awareness
  • Deliver trade compliance training and awareness activities to internal stakeholders.
  • Support development and maintenance of procedures, work instructions, and training materials.
  • Provide guidance to customs brokers and business users on trade compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in: International Business, Supply Chain, Customs & Trade, Logistics, Related Discipline
• Professional certification preferred, such as: Licensed Customs Broker (LCB), CCS, CITP, Similar Trade Compliance Certification
• 4-7+ years of progressive experience in Customs & Trade Compliance, international trade, import/export operations, customs brokerage, or related compliance functions.
• Proficiency in SAP GTS is required. Experience with SAP GTS - Version 11 or E4H is preferred.
• Chemical manufacturing experience is preferred
• Knowledge of import/export regulations, customs compliance, tariff classification, country of origin, customs valuation, and free trade agreements.
• Experience with customs broker oversight, customs audits, and trade compliance program administration.
• Proficiency in trade compliance systems and Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data validation skills.
• Ability to interpret regulations, maintain compliance documentation, and resolve trade compliance issues.
• Ability to manage trade compliance master data and understand its impact on customs and export processes.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively with business stakeholders, service providers, and IT support teams.

Equity And Inclusion

With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day. Race, gender, ethnicity, country of origin, age, personal style, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, life experiences and many more factors contribute to this diversity.