Title:  Trade Compliance Officer

Primetals Technologies USA, LLC is a leading partner for engineering, plant construction and lifecycle services in the metal industry. We provide innovative and practical solutions to support our customers with long-term sustainability goals and their increased competitiveness.  We believe the technical and economic know-how of our employees is the key success factor of our company.

At Primetals Technologies, you are encouraged to learn, grow, develop and contribute.

Come join the 7,000 employees worldwide—including 1,000 team members across 14 U.S. locations—at Primetals Technologies, a Group Company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Our Alpharetta, GA location is currently seeking to fill a Trade Compliance Officer position.

Applicants must pass a pre-employment physical exam and drug screen.

Classification and base pay will depend upon skillset and prior experience.

Duties of the Trade Compliance Officer will be performed in-house and on location at customer site.

Position Overview

The Trade Compliance Officer (U.S.) is responsible for ensuring full compliance with all U.S. and applicable international trade laws and regulations governing imports, exports, re-exports, and sanctions for the U.S. business of a global plant engineering and construction company. This role is critical to safeguarding the company’s ability to execute complex, multinational plant projects while minimizing legal, financial, and reputational risk.

The position serves as the subject-matter expert for U.S. trade compliance, covering U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements, tariffs and duty management, export controls under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and economic sanctions administered by OFAC. The role partners closely with Legal, Supply Chain, Engineering, Project Management, Sales, and Finance, and coordinates with global compliance functions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Import Compliance (U.S.)

• Ensure compliance with all U.S. import regulations, including 19 CFR, Customs Modernization Act, and CBP requirements.
• Oversee proper tariff classification (HTSUS) of machinery, components, spare parts, and project cargo consistent with global plant construction activities.
• Manage country-of-origin determinations, valuation, free-trade agreement applicability, and marking requirements.
• Develop and maintain procedures for duty optimization, including:
• Duty Drawback (manufacturing and unused merchandise claims)
• Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB)
• Monitor and assess the impact of special tariffs and trade remedies, such as Section 301 (China), Section 232 (steel/aluminum), antidumping and countervailing duties.
• Coordinate customs brokers; conduct broker oversight, audits, and KPI reviews.
• Lead internal and external import compliance audits and manage CBP inquiries, Focused Assessments, Post Summary Corrections, Protests.

2. Export Controls & Sanctions Compliance

• Serve as the primary U.S. export control authority under BIS / EAR, including:
• ECCN classification for machinery, automation systems, software, and technical data
• License determination and applications
• License exception analysis (e.g., ENC, TMP, LVS)
• Administer and enforce compliance with OFAC sanctions programs, including:
• Country-based sanctions (e.g., Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria)
• List-based sanctions (SDN, SSI, Entity List, Denied Persons)
• Ensure compliance in exports, re-exports, deemed exports, and technology transfers involving global engineering, remote access, and site activities.
• Screen customers, vendors, logistics providers, and consortium partners using approved restricted-party screening tools.
• Review and approve export-controlled clauses in EPC contracts, sales agreements, and supplier agreements.

3. Project & Engineering Support

• Advise project teams on trade compliance risks for large-scale plant projects, including:
• Cross-border movement of oversized equipment and modules
• Temporary exports and re-imports of tools and capital equipment
• On-site services and commissioning in sanctioned or high-risk locations
• Collaborate with Engineering and Automation teams to manage controlled technology, software, and digital solutions.
• Support bid and proposal teams with early-stage compliance assessments for restricted or sensitive markets.

4. Policies, Internal Controls & Training

• Develop, implement, and maintain the U.S. Trade Compliance Program, aligned with global policies and U.S. enforcement expectations.
• Draft and update procedures, work instructions, and internal guidelines for import/export activities.
• Deliver targeted training programs for Sales, Project Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Senior Management.
• Ensure appropriate recordkeeping in accordance with CBP, BIS, and OFAC retention requirements.

5. Risk Management & Regulatory Monitoring

• Monitor changes in U.S. and international trade regulations and assess business impact.
• Conduct internal compliance risk assessments and gap analyses.
• Lead investigations of potential violations and manage voluntary self-disclosures (VSDs) to CBP, BIS, or OFAC if required.
• Serve as the primary interface with U.S. authorities, external counsel, and auditors on trade compliance matters.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in International business, Law, Supply Chain or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in U.S. trade compliance, preferably in capital equipment, engineering, EPC, or industrial manufacturing environments.
• Deep working knowledge of:
• U.S. Customs regulations, HTSUS, tariffs, and duty drawback
• BIS/EAR export controls and OFAC sanctions
• Demonstrated experience with large, complex supply chains and cross-border plant or infrastructure projects.

Preferred

• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) strongly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as:
• CCS (Certified Customs Specialist)
• CES (Certified Export Specialist)
• CUSECO or ECTI credentials
• Experience working in a multinational matrix organization.
• Familiarity with SAP/GTS or comparable trade compliance systems.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and risk assessment skills.
• Ability to translate complex regulations into practical business guidance.
• Excellent communication skills with senior stakeholders and technical teams.
• High integrity, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while influencing across global functions.

Reporting & Interfaces

• Reports to: U.S. Head of Supply Chain
• Key interfaces:
• Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering, Project Management
• Global Compliance and regional compliance officers
• Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and external counsel

Primetals Technologies offers a full range of benefits starting with first day of employment.  Relocation will be available to candidates based on experience and position.  If you want to learn more about Primetals Technologies, visit our website!  

At Primetals Technologies, we value difference for the benefit of our employees, our customers, and our Community. Primetals Technologies is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.   

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