Senior Trade Compliance Specialist

About PHOENIX 

PHOENIX Retail, LLC is a retail platform operating the Express and Bonobos brands worldwide. Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions. Bonobos is a menswear brand known for being pioneers of exceptional fit and a personalized, innovative retail model. Customers can experience our brands in over 400 Express retail and Express Factory Outlet stores, 50 Bonobos Guideshops, and online at www.express.com and www.bonobos.com.

About Express

Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to creating confidence and inspiring self-expression. Since its launch in 1980, the brand has embraced a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style. Whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions, Express ensures you look and feel your best, wherever life takes you.

The Company operates over 400 retail and outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the express.com online store and the Express mobile app.

The Trade Compliance Senior Specialist is the subject matter expert and final authority on HTS classification and country of origin determinations, leveraging deep institutional knowledge and apparel-specific experience to minimize compliance risk and optimize duty costs across both Express and Bonobos brands. This individual is directly responsible for managing the continuous improvement of compliance processes with foreign suppliers, ensuring data integrity across multiple systems, and leading the oversight of customs brokerage activities. Working closely with the Trade Compliance & Customs Manager, this role collaborates cross-functionally with Production and Sourcing teams to develop and implement strategies that proactively address risks and opportunities within international trade laws and regulations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

HTS Classification & Country of Origin Determination

• Serve as the final subject matter expert (SME) and authority for all 10-digit HTSUS classification and country of origin determinations, adhering strictly to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs) and relevant customs laws.
• Support FTZ operations on admission classifications
• Record keeping - Maintain audit-ready documentation by ensuring all required documents are complete, accurate and accessible to demonstrate "reasonable care" to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• Proactively monitor and implement updates to the HTSUS and related trade regulations, ensuring the company's internal HTS database remains current.
• Creating/managing binding rulings requests to US Customs

Supplier Compliance Management

• Manage the supplier auto-classification program to ensure accurate classification data is provided and validated priorto the issuance of Purchase Orders (POs).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure data integrity across systems and proactively address data inconsistencies (e.g., changes in fabric content, style definitions) that impact classification.
• Monitor and manage supplier performance metrics related to data accuracy and timeliness, implementing corrective actions as needed.

Customs Brokerage Oversight & Vendor Management

• Act as the lead liaison for customs brokerage activities, overseeing their performance and ensuring all declarations align with in-house determinations.
• Manage the vendor relationship with customs brokers, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and timely, accurate filing of all customs entries.
• Develop strategies to ensure broker processes align with the company's internal controls and international trade laws.

Risk Mitigation & Strategy Development

• Identify and remediate classification errors
• Evaluate and document eligibility for FTAs and other preference programs.
• Identify and mitigate compliance risks associated with classification, valuation, and country of origin across the Express and Bonobos brands.
• Manage Post Entry Audit processing and reporting/support prior disclosure processes when needed
• Manage classification-related CBP inquiries
• Work closely with the Trade Compliance & Customs Manager to develop long-term strategies that proactively address emerging risks and leverage opportunities within international trade regulations (e.g., IEEPA tariffs, UFLPA).
• Identify opportunities for duty optimization (e.g., duty drawback, FTAs, inverted tariffs within the FTZ context) through accurate classification and data analysis.
• Collaborate with finance on duty forecasting
• Support CTPAT foundation across all external partners
• Support training and development of classification impact to internal teams
• Support Integration Point platform optimization

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required, Licensed Customs Broker strongly preferred, Trade compliance certifications beneficial

Experience:

• 5+ years HTSUS classification experience, 4+ years specific to apparel/textile products, Experience with FTZ operations preferred

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Integration Point or similar platforms preferred
• Background in vendor management preferred
• Technical Knowledge: Expert knowledge of HTSUS Chapters 61-63 (textiles/apparel)
• Proficiency with CBP rulings database (CROSS)
• Knowledge of FTA programs (USMCA, CAFTA-DR)
• Understanding of FTZ admission and entry procedures

CRITICAL SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

Technical Competencies:

• Mastery of General Rules of Interpretation
• Understanding of textile construction and terminology
• Data analysis and reporting capabilities
• System implementation experience
• Process design and optimization

Leadership Abilities: 

• Ability to work independently and build from ground up
• Change management capabilities
• Vendor management and negotiation skills
• Cross-functional influence without direct authority
• Strategic thinking with tactical execution

Communication: 

• Executive presentation skills
• Clear documentation abilities
• Training and knowledge transfer skills
• Diplomatic approach to vendor relationships
• Ability to translate technical concepts to business terms

Personal Attributes:

• High integrity and attention to detail
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Comfortable with ambiguity during transition
• Strong organizational skills
• Continuous improvement mindset

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An equal opportunity employer, PHOENIX does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. PHOENIX only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. PHOENIX is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to search and apply for a job position due to a disability, please call 1-800-964-9793 and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e-mail to AssociateRelations@Express.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notification to Agencies: Please note that PHOENIX does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, PHOENIX will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.