Trade Compliance Specialist

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew

At Smith+Nephew, we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, we help healthcare professionals improve the lives of their patients around the world. We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Trade Compliance Specialist to support North American customs operations and related compliance activities.

The Trade Compliance Specialist will support the compliant and timely movement of goods across North America, with primary responsibility for customs clearance, import entry auditing, and day-to-day customs broker management. The role will also perform and support Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification activities and provide support for country of origin (COO) determinations and other Trade Compliance priorities. This position is suited for a trade compliance professional with prior practical experience in customs and trade compliance operations and can independently manage routine operational matters, investigate discrepancies, maintain accurate records, and exercise sound judgment. Comfort and experience with HTS classification are highly desirable.

The Specialist will work with cross-functional teams to gather the product, technical, sourcing, and manufacturing information needed to perform classification analysis, document conclusions, and support compliance decisions. Senior team members are available to provide an additional review for complex, novel, or higher-risk matters when appropriate, but the successful candidate should be prepared to handle routine classification work independently. The Specialist will also provide support, as needed, for COO determinations, C-TPAT and supply chain security activities, export controls, sanctions compliance, and other North America Trade Compliance priorities.

Before applying, please note that this position is not eligible for employer-sponsored immigration support. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States and must not require S+N sponsorship now or in the future to maintain that authorization

What will you be doing?

Customs Clearance & Operational Support

• Support the timely and compliant customs clearance of import shipments into the United States and Canada.
• Review commercial invoices, packing lists, transport documents, classification, value, country of origin, and trade program information for completeness and accuracy.
• Respond to broker inquiries, documentation gaps, customs entry requirements, import restrictions, customs holds, and clearance escalations.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and service providers to resolve issues promptly while maintaining compliance.
• Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready clearance records.

Import Entry Auditing & Compliance Monitoring

• Perform post-entry audits to verify classification, valuation, country of origin, trade program eligibility, fees, and other declaration elements.
• Document findings, investigate exceptions, and coordinate corrections with brokers and internal stakeholders.
• Identify recurring errors and trends and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain audit trackers, metrics, and supporting documentation
• Support Post Summary Corrections, protests, and related post-entry activity as needed.

Customs Broker Management

• Serve as a day-to-day contact for designated customs brokers and support consistent execution of clearance instructions.
• Monitor broker responsiveness, entry accuracy, open issues, and service levels through established metrics and scorecards.
• Provide approved classification, origin, valuation, and trade program information and resolve data or documentation discrepancies.
• Support broker reviews, onboarding, procedure updates, and remediation of recurring issues.
• Maintain broker authorizations, instructions, contacts, and governance documentation.

HTS Classification & Country of Origin Support

• Gather product specifications, composition details, function, technical documentation, bills of material, and other information needed to perform HTS classification assessments.
• Perform HTS classification analysis using applicable interpretive rules, product information, and supporting documentation, and clearly document the basis for the classification decision.
• Work with R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and suppliers to obtain complete and accurate information needed for classification and origin decisions.
• Support COO determinations by gathering manufacturing, component, sourcing, and process information and completing initial fact-based analysis.
• Maintain classification and origin records, supporting documentation, and audit trails. Collaborate with senior team members when an additional perspective is appropriate for complex, novel, or higher-risk matters.

C-TPAT & Supply Chain Security Support

• Provide support for the company's C-TPAT program, including procedures, evidence, training records, and validation readiness, as assigned.

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