OPT Trade Compliance Analyst Jobs
Trade Compliance Analyst roles sit at the intersection of international trade law, customs regulations, and supply chain operations, making them a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in international business, supply chain management, or law. Most employers classify this as a STEM-adjacent role, and many qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
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Get Access To All JobsWho We Are:
Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long-term value for its stakeholders.
Job Posting:
Trade Compliance Specialist
Kontoor Brands is seeking a proactive Trade Compliance Specialist to ensure compliance with US and CA Customs regulations and trade laws. This role will be responsible for overseeing at least one functional area of Trade Compliance—such as Import Compliance, Export Compliance, Supply Chain Security, or Special Programs—while serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in at least two areas. The specialist will play a key role in identifying and mitigating trade risks, developing and managing compliance processes, and ensuring regulatory adherence in daily operations. While this position has no direct reports, it will require strong cross-functional collaboration with logistics, distribution center operations, finance, and legal teams. The role will also involve managing audits, engaging with government agencies, and participating in industry groups as needed. Additionally, the specialist will lead process improvements and efficiency initiatives to enhance Kontoor’s trade compliance framework. Ongoing professional development and continuous learning will be essential to keeping Kontoor ahead of regulatory changes.
Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate working knowledge in Trade Compliance functional areas (i.e. Imports, Exports, Special Programs (Free Trade Agreements, Drawback, FTZ, First Sale), Supply Chain Security (i.e. CTPAT)).
- Liaison with external brokers ensuring Import and Export Compliance.
- Ensure compliance for product classification (HTS).
- Serve as a consultant and subject matter expert (SME) to provide necessary services to other departments concerning Trade Compliance or Customs issues.
- Support the standardization and harmonization for Customs compliance operations and processes.
- Deliver compliance improvements and savings opportunities.
- Research and provide insight on Trade Compliance regulatory changes in US and CA.
- Define and maintain compliance KPI’s and KCI’s (Key Control Indicators).
- Maintain appropriate record keeping as required.
- Perform other duties as required/assigned by the Trade compliance Manager.
- Create and analyze reports from ACE, CARM, or other sources.
Requirements
- 3 – 5 years' experience in Trade Compliance, working directly with Customs and overseeing and participating in compliance programs.
- Bachelor’s degree in international business, finance, or supply chain management.
- Proficient in Microsoft office applications (i.e. Outlook, Excel, PowerBI, and SharePoint).
- Effective communication skills and experience working in a customer-focused environment.
- Working knowledge in classification, import and export compliance.
- In-depth knowledge of Trade Compliance regulations.
- Analytical skills and able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proactive in recognizing and adjusting to shifting priorities.
- Ability to complete assignments accurately and within specified time frames, with minimal supervision and direction.
Preferred Experience:
- Footwear & Apparel Industry experience and or working for an importer.
- SAP Finance Experience.
- Customs Broker License or equivalent experience.
Leadership Competencies Expected for this Role:
Emerging Leader
Global Agility – Open to diverse views, adapts to new ways of working
Purposeful Integrity – Demonstrates ethical behavior, follows through on commitments
Strategic Foresight – Understands team goals, asks strategic questions
Customer Centric Innovation – Suggests improvements from customer feedback, tries new methods
Urgency for Impact – Act quickly and take ownership of outcomes
Bold Accountability – Own your work and deliver consistently strong results
Empowered Collaboration – Share ideas, listens well, collaborates with peers
Why Kontoor Brands?
At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle. Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.
When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.
We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.
Who We Are:
Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long-term value for its stakeholders.
Job Posting:
Trade Compliance Specialist
Kontoor Brands is seeking a proactive Trade Compliance Specialist to ensure compliance with US and CA Customs regulations and trade laws. This role will be responsible for overseeing at least one functional area of Trade Compliance—such as Import Compliance, Export Compliance, Supply Chain Security, or Special Programs—while serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in at least two areas. The specialist will play a key role in identifying and mitigating trade risks, developing and managing compliance processes, and ensuring regulatory adherence in daily operations. While this position has no direct reports, it will require strong cross-functional collaboration with logistics, distribution center operations, finance, and legal teams. The role will also involve managing audits, engaging with government agencies, and participating in industry groups as needed. Additionally, the specialist will lead process improvements and efficiency initiatives to enhance Kontoor’s trade compliance framework. Ongoing professional development and continuous learning will be essential to keeping Kontoor ahead of regulatory changes.
Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate working knowledge in Trade Compliance functional areas (i.e. Imports, Exports, Special Programs (Free Trade Agreements, Drawback, FTZ, First Sale), Supply Chain Security (i.e. CTPAT)).
- Liaison with external brokers ensuring Import and Export Compliance.
- Ensure compliance for product classification (HTS).
- Serve as a consultant and subject matter expert (SME) to provide necessary services to other departments concerning Trade Compliance or Customs issues.
- Support the standardization and harmonization for Customs compliance operations and processes.
- Deliver compliance improvements and savings opportunities.
- Research and provide insight on Trade Compliance regulatory changes in US and CA.
- Define and maintain compliance KPI’s and KCI’s (Key Control Indicators).
- Maintain appropriate record keeping as required.
- Perform other duties as required/assigned by the Trade compliance Manager.
- Create and analyze reports from ACE, CARM, or other sources.
Requirements
- 3 – 5 years' experience in Trade Compliance, working directly with Customs and overseeing and participating in compliance programs.
- Bachelor’s degree in international business, finance, or supply chain management.
- Proficient in Microsoft office applications (i.e. Outlook, Excel, PowerBI, and SharePoint).
- Effective communication skills and experience working in a customer-focused environment.
- Working knowledge in classification, import and export compliance.
- In-depth knowledge of Trade Compliance regulations.
- Analytical skills and able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proactive in recognizing and adjusting to shifting priorities.
- Ability to complete assignments accurately and within specified time frames, with minimal supervision and direction.
Preferred Experience:
- Footwear & Apparel Industry experience and or working for an importer.
- SAP Finance Experience.
- Customs Broker License or equivalent experience.
Leadership Competencies Expected for this Role:
Emerging Leader
Global Agility – Open to diverse views, adapts to new ways of working
Purposeful Integrity – Demonstrates ethical behavior, follows through on commitments
Strategic Foresight – Understands team goals, asks strategic questions
Customer Centric Innovation – Suggests improvements from customer feedback, tries new methods
Urgency for Impact – Act quickly and take ownership of outcomes
Bold Accountability – Own your work and deliver consistently strong results
Empowered Collaboration – Share ideas, listens well, collaborates with peers
Why Kontoor Brands?
At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle. Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.
When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.
We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.
See all OPT Trade Compliance Analyst Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Trade Compliance Analyst
Lead with your regulatory coursework
Trade compliance hiring managers want analysts who understand HTS classification, export controls, and sanctions programs. Highlight relevant coursework in international trade law, customs regulations, or supply chain compliance to signal you can contribute from day one.
Target companies with active import/export operations
Large manufacturers, aerospace firms, defense contractors, and global retailers file the most trade compliance positions. These employers typically have dedicated compliance teams and structured processes, making them more experienced with OPT work authorization paperwork.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Degrees in supply chain management, information systems, or engineering often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirming this with your DSO before interviews lets you present employers a longer authorization window, which reduces their sponsorship hesitation significantly.
Get familiar with SAP GTS or Amber Road
Trade compliance teams rely on specialized software for classification and screening. Demonstrating hands-on experience or coursework involving trade management systems makes you immediately more competitive against candidates without relevant technical exposure.
Emphasize attention to detail and analytical precision
Customs audits and export license applications require meticulous documentation. Use your resume and interviews to highlight projects where you analyzed complex regulatory data, caught discrepancies, or maintained compliance records under tight deadlines.
Address OPT timing transparently with recruiters
Trade compliance hiring cycles can run six to ten weeks. Communicate your OPT start date and remaining authorization period early so hiring managers can align their timeline accordingly and avoid surprises during the offer stage.
Trade Compliance Analyst OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Trade Compliance Analysts?
Yes. Trade Compliance Analyst roles are open to F-1 students on post-completion OPT, provided the work is directly related to your degree field. Degrees in international business, supply chain management, or law align well. Your employer does not need to file anything with USCIS during standard OPT, but must be listed correctly on your EAD.
Does a Trade Compliance Analyst role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not the job title itself. If your degree is in supply chain management, information systems, industrial engineering, or another STEM-designated field, the role can qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO can confirm eligibility based on your specific program's CIP code before you apply.
How do I find Trade Compliance Analyst jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship willingness, so you can browse Trade Compliance Analyst openings without guessing which employers will consider your authorization. Focusing on large manufacturers, defense contractors, and multinationals with established compliance teams improves your odds considerably.
Do Trade Compliance Analyst employers need to file paperwork for my OPT?
During standard 12-month OPT, your employer does not file anything with USCIS. You work on your EAD card. For the 24-month STEM OPT extension, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and sign your I-983 training plan. This is a straightforward process for most mid-size and large compliance teams.
What degree backgrounds are most competitive for Trade Compliance Analyst roles on OPT?
International business, supply chain management, logistics, law, and engineering are the most common degree paths into trade compliance. Coursework covering export controls, Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification, or customs law is a meaningful differentiator. Employers value candidates who can interpret regulatory frameworks independently rather than needing extensive on-the-job training from the start.