International Trade Consultant Jobs
International trade consultant jobs are open across government agencies, consulting firms, logistics companies, and manufacturing sectors, from entry-level analyst to senior advisor, with specializations in export compliance, trade policy, and supply chain strategy. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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TITLE: SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTANT – GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
DEPARTMENT: SBDC
REPORTS TO: SBDC DIRECTOR
EE CLASSIFICATION: PART-TIME
FLSA STATUS: NON-EXEMPT
SALARY RANGE: $50.00 - $55.00/hour
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Orange County / Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network is a federal program partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration & the California Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development. The SBDC is hosted by CSU, Fullerton. The purpose of this grant is to provide no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Orange County. The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC) is seeking a knowledgeable, results-driven Global Trade & International Business Consultant to support small and medium-sized businesses seeking to enter, expand, and compete in international markets. The consultant will provide expert business advising, market intelligence, and practical strategies to help companies identify international opportunities, develop export capabilities, navigate global trade challenges, and establish sustainable international business relationships. Working collaboratively with the OCIE SBDC Global Trade team, the consultant will assist businesses across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties through individualized consulting, international market research, export readiness assessments, strategic planning, and connections to domestic and international trade resources. The ideal candidate combines strong international business expertise with practical experience in export development, global market entry, cross-border business relationships, and small business consulting. This individual should be comfortable translating complex international trade concepts into actionable strategies that help businesses increase sales, diversify markets, and achieve measurable growth.
*Please be aware that funding for this position is awarded through a Grant/Contract over a specified period. Employment for this position beyond current Grant/Contract funding is contingent upon continued funding or new Grant/Contract.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
● Provide consulting, training, and information services in the region to small size businesses.
● Maintain client database by preparing detailed written assessment and make recommendations for improvements.
● Keep abreast of business trends, techniques, and processes.
● Work collaboratively with peers and the business community to expand expertise.
● Community outreach responsibilities will include public presentations to key stakeholders and service on appropriate boards and committees related to economic development.
● Provide individualized, one-on-one consulting to small-sized businesses seeking to initiate, expand, or strengthen international trade activities.
● Assess companies' export readiness, international growth potential, operational capabilities, and competitive positioning.
● Develop actionable international business strategies, export plans, and market entry recommendations aligned with each company's goals, resources, and capabilities.
● Advise businesses on international sales development, distribution channels, pricing strategies, market positioning, and cross-border business opportunities.
● Assist companies in identifying and evaluating international customers, distributors, strategic partners, and suppliers.
● Support businesses in developing international business relationships, navigating cultural differences, and preparing for cross-border negotiations.
● Conduct comprehensive international market research to identify promising export markets, industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging business opportunities.
● Analyze international demand, market accessibility, customer segments, competitive positioning, and regulatory considerations.
● Prepare market intelligence reports, country profiles, competitive analyses, and market entry recommendations to support informed business decisions.
● Evaluate international market opportunities, including potential risks, barriers to entry, and opportunities for business expansion.
● Help businesses leverage international trade data, digital tools, and market intelligence resources to identify and prioritize global opportunities.
● Guide businesses through key aspects of export and import processes, including international shipping, logistics, customs procedures, documentation, and trade compliance.
● Provide practical guidance on international trade regulations, tariffs, trade agreements, product classification, and market-specific requirements.
● Educate businesses on international payment methods, export financing, risk mitigation, and available trade finance resources.
● Connect clients with appropriate government agencies, trade organizations, financial institutions, and specialized service providers for technical or regulatory assistance.
● Assist businesses in identifying and navigating operational challenges associated with international transactions and supply chains.
● Complete all forms and maintain client files as required by the SBA.
● Document information, assistance, and outcomes of sessions with clients related to consulting and training activities performed by the consultant.
● Provide Center with timely reports related to milestones and success stories of client’s economic outcomes.
● Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
● Strong knowledge of international trade, export development, global business strategy, and international market dynamics.
● Practical experience advising businesses on international market entry, export operations, or cross-border business development.
● Excellent analytical and research skills, with the ability to translate market intelligence into actionable business recommendations.
● Familiarity with U.S. export assistance programs, international trade resources, and regulatory frameworks.
● Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage business owners, government representatives, and international partners.
● Experience working with small and medium-sized businesses and an understanding of their unique operational, financial, and growth challenges.
● Ability to manage multiple consulting engagements independently while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
● A client-focused, solutions-oriented approach and a commitment to delivering measurable business outcomes.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
● Familiarity with U.S. Commercial Service, SBA export programs, EXIM Bank, California GO-Biz, and other international trade assistance resources.
● Experience organizing or supporting international trade missions, business matchmaking programs, or cross-border business initiatives.
● Knowledge of international trade opportunities involving strategic global markets.
● Professional certification in international trade, export management, or global business, such as Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), Certified International Trade Professional (CITP), or an equivalent recognized industry credential. Candidates who do not hold an approved certification at the time of hire will be required to obtain one within six (6) months of their start date.
● Proficiency in additional languages is desirable.
● Experience delivering business training, workshops, or technical assistance programs.
EDUCATION:
● Minimum Bachelor's degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience in business management or financial analysis (minimum four years), or bachelor’s degree in any field with two years of business management or business ownership.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Lifting of up to 25lbs.; periodic bending; long-term periods of sitting; long term periods operating a computer.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
CSU Fullerton, Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) is an Equal Opportunity/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 any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at (657) 278-4117.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the ASC. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current ASC employees who apply for the position.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $50.00 - $55.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Irvine, CA 92618
See All 49 International Trade Consultant Jobs
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Find JobsInternational Trade Consultant Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Accounting & Auditing
- Technology & Software
- Law & Legal Services
- Distribution & Wholesale
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in international trade consultant jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in international trade, economics, supply chain, or a related field
- Knowledge of U.S. export control regulations including EAR and ITAR
- Experience with customs compliance, tariff classification, and HTS codes
- Proficiency with trade management software and AES filing systems
- NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential preferred
- Strong analytical and written communication skills for regulatory reporting
Tips for Your International Trade Consultant Job Search
Tailor your resume to trade frameworks
Highlight specific trade agreements you've worked with, such as USMCA, CPTPP, or bilateral FTAs, rather than listing vague international experience. Hiring managers scan for the frameworks and regulatory environments you know, not generic global exposure.
Earn a recognized trade certification first
Certifications like the NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional or CUSECO credentials signal technical credibility before your first interview. Many openings in customs and export compliance list them as preferred, so having one moves your application past early filters.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists international trade consultant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by regulatory scope
Filter openings by whether they emphasize import compliance, export controls, or trade remedy work. Each has a distinct regulatory stack, so applying to roles that match your EAR, ITAR, or customs brokerage background dramatically improves your interview conversion rate.
Prepare case-based answers for trade disputes
Interviewers in this field routinely ask you to walk through a past tariff classification issue, anti-dumping investigation, or Section 301 impact assessment. Rehearse two or three concrete situations where your analysis changed a client's sourcing or compliance decision.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
Many international trade consultant roles shift between advisory work and hands-on filing depending on team size. Clarify before accepting whether you'll own regulatory submissions yourself or lead a team doing so, since the two roles require very different day-to-day commitments.
International Trade Consultant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most international trade consultants?
Garmin, PwC, and Lockheed Martin are hiring the most international trade consultants right now, with openings concentrated in Florida, Connecticut, and District of Columbia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is strongest at large consulting firms, federal contractors, and multinational manufacturers with active import and export operations.
How many international trade consultant jobs are remote?
About 69% of international trade consultant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote availability highest in trade policy research and export compliance advisory roles. Positions that involve on-site customs audits, port operations, or direct government liaison work are more likely to require in-person attendance.
How do you become an international trade consultant?
Start with a degree in international trade, economics, supply chain management, or a related field, then gain hands-on experience through roles in customs brokerage, logistics, or export compliance. Earning a credential like the NASBITE CGBP strengthens your profile. Building expertise in a specific regulatory area, such as export controls or trade remedies, helps you move into advisory roles faster.
Can you get hired as an international trade consultant with little experience?
Entry-level roles do exist, particularly at consulting firms that hire junior analysts to support senior advisors on tariff classification projects, trade agreement reviews, and compliance audits. Internships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, or federal trade agencies build practical exposure. A CGBP certification and demonstrated knowledge of HTS codes or EAR regulations can offset a thin work history when applying.
What does the international trade consultant interview process look like?
Most processes run two to three rounds. An initial screening covers your regulatory background and familiarity with specific trade frameworks. A technical round typically involves a case or scenario, such as classifying a product under HTS, assessing Section 301 tariff exposure, or advising on USMCA rules of origin. Final rounds with senior leadership focus on communication style and how you manage client relationships under compliance pressure.
Where can I find and apply to international trade consultant jobs?
You can find and apply to international trade consultant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your regulatory background and experience level, then apply directly to each listing. The openings at the top of this page are updated continuously so you can act on new postings as soon as they appear.
See All 49 International Trade Consultant Jobs
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