Trade Compliance Analyst
Hendrickson is seeking a Trade Compliance Analyst to join their team in Woodridge, IL.
The Trade Compliance Analyst combines technical trade import and export compliance expertise — tariff classification, country of origin, Free Trade Agreement qualification, export controls, sanctions screening, and refund recovery — with the day-to-day operational coordination required to keep shipments moving, brokers performing, payments and refunds flowing, and records audit-ready.
The Analyst serves as the primary point of contact between Hendrickson, its customs brokers, freight forwarders and internal stakeholders (Logistics, Procurement, Accounts Payable, and Plants). The role partners closely with the Senior Trade Compliance Manager on complex matters and escalates novel or high-risk issues, while owning the technical and operational execution that keeps the Trade Compliance Program running.
Essential Functions – Technical
Tariff Classification and Country of Origin
- Classify new and existing parts under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States using the General Rules of Interpretation, Section and Chapter Notes, and applicable Customs and Border Protection rulings. Maintain the tariff classification master database and supporting rationale files for audit defense.
- Determine country of origin using substantial transformation and tariff-shift principles.
- Analyze applicability of Section 232, Section 301, International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and Antidumping and Countervailing Duty programs for Hendrickson's import flows.
Free Trade Agreement Programs
- Perform United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement qualification analysis at the Bill of Material and part level — Regional Value Content, tariff shift, and de minimis.
- Manage the annual supplier solicitation cycle for Free Trade Agreement Certificates of Origin (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement and other applicable agreements); track outstanding solicitations and escalate non-responsive suppliers.
- Issue Hendrickson Free Trade Agreement Certificates and Maintain the Free Trade Agreement certificate library and expiration tracker; trigger renewals before lapse.
Post-Entry Analysis and Refund Recovery
- Identify post-entry correction opportunities through duty-spend analysis, Automated Commercial Environment report review, and tariff change monitoring.
- Prepare content for Post Summary Corrections, Section 520(d) post-importation Free Trade Agreement claims, and Protests.
- Analyze refund eligibility under current programs (International Emergency Economic Powers Act refunds, Section 232 offset, Section 301 exclusions, and Section 520(d)).
Regulatory Monitoring
- Monitor Cargo Systems Messaging Service messages, Federal Register notices, Office of the United States Trade Representative announcements, Customs and Border Protection rulings, and Commerce/International Trade Commission determinations for changes affecting Hendrickson's Trade Compliance Program.
- Support implementation of regulatory changes through procedure updates, broker instructions, and supplier communications.
Essential Functions – Operational
Broker Operations and Performance Management
- Serve as the primary day-to-day operational contact for Hendrickson’s customs broker(s).
- Track and report broker Service Level Agreement performance — release timing, document turnaround, exception aging, invoice accuracy, and responsiveness. Maintain the broker contact matrix, escalation paths, and after-hours protocols.
- Coordinate broker invoice review and approval with Accounts Payable; resolve discrepancies and chargebacks.
- Manage broker onboarding and offboarding (Power of Attorney, system access, credentials, and procedure transition).
- Manage Hendrickson's continuous customs bond — monitor sufficiency and complete annual recertification.
Import Execution and Exception Handling
- Triage operational exceptions — missing documents, Partner Government Agency holds, manifest discrepancies, Importer Security Filing issues, and demurrage risk.
- Partner with Logistics and Plants to prevent disruption to inbound material flow.
- Coordinate document collection and response packaging for Customs and Border Protection Requests for Information (Customs Form 28) and exam responses; complex technical content is reviewed with the Senior Trade Compliance Manager.
Customs Payment, Refund, and System Administration
- Support administration of Hendrickson's Automated Commercial Environment portal account, including user access, role assignments, and Importer of Record sub-account maintenance.
- Execute and document Automated Clearing House Debit and Refund setup, confirm test deposits and refunds, and troubleshoot refund-routing issues.
- Run the monthly Periodic Monthly Statement cycle — pull statements, reconcile to entry detail and accounting records, route for payment, and resolve discrepancies.
- Produce recurring Automated Commercial Environment reports (entry summaries, duty-spend, refund, and liquidation) and build operational and duty-spend dashboards for performance reporting.
Documentation, Recordkeeping, and Procedures
- Own the operational document control process —classification files, Free Trade Agreement certificates, broker correspondence, and Customs and Border Protection communications.
- Maintain records in accordance with the five-year recordkeeping requirement under 19 Code of Federal Regulations Part 163.
- Author and maintain Standard Operating Procedures and work instructions covering both technical processes (classification, Free Trade Agreement qualification, post-entry) and operational processes (broker handoff, exception triage, Periodic Monthly Statement reconciliation).
- Support annual self-assessment and Customs and Border Protection Focused Assessment readiness with both technical artifacts (classification rationale, Regional Value Content calculations) and operational artifacts (logs, scorecards, evidence of control execution).
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Partner with Division Trade Compliance Leads on classification, origin, and operational handoffs.
- Liaise with Logistics, Procurement, Engineering, Accounts Payable, Treasury, Plants, and Information Technology / Enterprise Resource Planning on import execution, classification, and supplier compliance issues.
- Escalate sensitive or non-routine matters (enforcement signals, repeat exceptions, supplier non-compliance, novel classification questions) to the Senior Trade Compliance Manager.
- Provide technical and operational input to Trade Compliance leadership.
The successful candidate will posses:
Bachelor’s degree
- Preferably a degree in International Business, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Finance, Law, Engineering.
Note: Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) designation is not required for this role.
- Experience in United States trade compliance experience combining technical and operational responsibilities at a corporate importer, customs broker, or third-party logistics provider.
- Experience classifying parts under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
- Experience with United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement or other Free Trade Agreement qualification — Regional Value Content analysis, tariff shift, supplier solicitation, and certificate management.
- Experience preparing or supporting Post Summary Corrections, Section 520(d) claims, and Protests.
- Experience with the Automated Commercial Environment portal — running reports, managing user access, and supporting sub-account administration.
- Experience executing Automated Clearing House Debit and Periodic Monthly Statement reconciliation cycles.
- Familiarity with Export Controls — Export Administration Regulations (and EAR99 designation), International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Foreign Trade Regulations (including the Automated Export System filing requirements) .
- Fluent in MS Office Applications.
- Occasional day and overnight travel to broker offices, Hendrickson plants, and industry conferences (up to ~ 10%)
- Periodic after-hours availability during port disruptions, broker escalations, or statutory deadline windows
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws, the salary range for this position is $69,000-95,000 annually depending on experience. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, education, qualifications, and other job-related criteria. This pay range is provided to ensure transparency and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
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