What are the responsibilities and job description for the Trade Compliance Officer position at Wurth Elektronik?
About the Company
We are a global electronics company serving customers across the Americas, Asia, and Europe, committed to innovation, operational excellence, and responsible compliance. We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Trade Compliance Officer to lead and mature our global trade compliance program, ensuring secure, legally compliant, and efficient import/export operations across all regions.
Position Summary
The Trade Compliance Officer will develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive Global Export Compliance System, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations across multiple jurisdictions. This role provides strategic direction, operational oversight, and cross functional leadership to safeguard the company’s global supply chain from sourcing through selling.
The ideal candidate will bring strong regulatory expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with global teams, external partners, brokers, and OEMs.
Travel: up to 20%
Location: Watertown, SD preferred but can be remote in the US
Key Responsibilities
Global Trade Compliance Leadership
- Develop, implement, and manage a Global Export Compliance System aligned with international trade laws and company obligations.
- Establish a multiregional compliance infrastructure that supports growth in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
- Direct the creation of standard global trade compliance with processes, and workflows for regional operations.
Regulatory Procedures & Documentation
- Write, maintain, and continually improve trade compliance policies, SOPs, and work instructions.
- Ensure documentation aligns with internal controls, current trade rules, and audit requirements.
Import/Export Oversight
- Audit global import and export transactions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and proper product classification.
- Verify that brokers operate legally under Power of Attorney and meet all regulatory expectations.
- Ensure OEMs, logistic partners, and carriers maintain adherence to all applicable customs and export regulations.
End-User Controls & Authorization Management
- Oversee End User and End-Use verification, screening, and authorization processes.
- Maintain compliance with global sanction lists, restricted parties, and export control requirements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Training
- Educate and train internal teams—including Supply Chain, Product Management, Sales, Operations, and Customer Support—on global trade compliance requirements for day-to-day activities.
- Proactively engage with Product Management to design trade compliant product release and documentation processes.
- Provide timely guidance and resolution for customer import/export inquiries.
Monitoring & Regulatory Intelligence
- Track and analyze ongoing changes to global import and export regulations, including tariffs, sanctions, customs valuation, classification rules, and material sourcing requirements.
- Communicate regulatory impacts and recommend strategic adjustments to leadership.
Operational Accountability
- Ensure each warehouse and distribution node is operating in full compliance with applicable laws—from product sourcing through shipment to final customer delivery.
- Maintain audit readiness and lead compliance reviews.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Business, Legal Studies, Business Administration, or related field.
- 5 years of progressive experience in international trade compliance, preferably within electronics, technology, or manufacturing.
- Strong working knowledge of U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ITAR, Customs regulations, and comparable global standards.
- Experience managing global brokers, freight forwarders, and OEM partners.
- Ability to write clear, concise procedures and communicate complex regulatory requirements to diverse teams.
Preferred:
- Experience supporting multinational operations in Europe and Asia.
- Professional certifications (LPCO, CCS, CES, CUSECO, or similar).
- Knowledge of HTS/ECCN classification for electronic components.
Key Competencies
- Strong analytical and investigative skills
- Excellent communication and cross functional leadership
- Detail oriented with a high level of accountability
- Ability to work independently and lead globally distributed teams
- Strategic mindset with hands-on operational capability
BENEFITS
We offer a full benefit package that includes Basic Life, Vision, and Short- and Long-Term Disability provided by the Company at no cost to you. Medical, Dental, Additional Life Insurance and Vision insurance for employee and family, Identity Theft Protection, and Legal Services Benefit are available at group rates through payroll deduction. A 401(k) Retirement Plan, Flexible Spending and Dependent Day Care Accounts are available. Benefits are available the first of the month following the hire date except for Short- and Long-Term Disability that have a 60-day waiting period.