OPT Trade Compliance Manager Jobs

Trade Compliance Manager roles qualify as specialty occupations under OPT, typically requiring a degree in international trade, supply chain, or law. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if eligible) gives you time to prove your value and secure H-1B visa sponsorship from an employer.

Find OPT Trade Compliance Manager Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs16+
Work Type88% On-site
Top LocationTexas
Most JobsGXO Logistics

Showing 5 of 16+ Trade Compliance Manager jobs

GXO Logistics
Senior Analyst, Trade Compliance
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GXO Logistics
Added 1d ago
Senior Analyst, Trade Compliance
GXO Logistics
Horn Lake, Mississippi
Compliance & Legal
Procurement & Supply Chain
Business Analysis
Compliance & Risk
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Pernod Ricard North America
Export Coordinator, Trade Compliance
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Pernod Ricard North America
Added 1w ago
Export Coordinator, Trade Compliance
Pernod Ricard North America
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Procurement & Supply Chain
Customer Service & Support
Logistics & Fleet Management
Supply Chain
$47k - $59k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Maag Group
Trade Compliance Specialist
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Maag Group
Added 2w ago
Trade Compliance Specialist
Maag Group
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Compliance & Legal
Procurement & Supply Chain
Logistics & Fleet Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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KLA
Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance
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KLA
Added 2w ago
Senior Counsel, Trade Compliance
KLA
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$144k - $244k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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Express
Trade Compliance Auditor
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Express
Added 2w ago
Trade Compliance Auditor
Express
Columbus, Ohio
Compliance & Legal
Finance
Accounting
Data Science & Analytics
Business Analysis
Compliance & Risk
Audit
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Trade Compliance Manager

Target employers with active import/export operations

Companies with global supply chains, customs filings, and export control programs hire trade compliance managers regularly. These employers already understand sponsorship and are more likely to support your OPT and future H-1B visa petition without needing to be convinced.

Highlight your jurisdiction-specific credentials

Certifications like Licensed Customs Broker or Certified Export Specialist signal you've invested in the field. Employers sponsoring OPT students want proof of specialization, and credentials reduce the perceived risk of hiring someone who still needs long-term immigration support.

Apply before your OPT start date, not after

Trade compliance hiring cycles can take 60 to 90 days. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT authorization begins gives you realistic runway to receive an offer and have your employer file required EAD documentation in time.

Frame your international background as a compliance asset

Deep familiarity with a specific country's trade regulations is genuinely valuable in this field. If you understand customs procedures in India, China, or the EU from lived experience, position that knowledge as a direct qualifier for roles covering those regions.

Focus on large manufacturers and logistics firms first

Companies in aerospace, automotive, semiconductors, and third-party logistics regularly hire trade compliance staff and have established immigration processes. Smaller firms may lack HR infrastructure to handle OPT paperwork, making the sponsorship conversation harder to start.

Understand your STEM extension eligibility before interviewing

If your degree is in supply chain, data analytics, or a STEM-designated field, you may qualify for 24 additional months of OPT. Knowing this upfront lets you communicate a longer authorized work window, which directly improves your sponsorship conversation with employers.

Trade Compliance Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Trade Compliance Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT and H-1B purposes?

Yes. Trade Compliance Manager positions typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in international trade, supply chain management, business, or law, which meets the specialty occupation standard. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for this role category when the job description clearly ties the duties to a specific degree field. Make sure your offer letter reflects those requirements explicitly.

Can I work as a Trade Compliance Manager on OPT without my employer filing any visa petition?

Yes, during your OPT period you're authorized to work using your EAD card, and your employer doesn't need to file a petition on your behalf. However, if you want to stay beyond your OPT window, your employer will need to sponsor an H-1B or another qualifying visa. Starting that conversation early, ideally within your first six months, gives both parties time to plan.

Which degree fields make F-1 students eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension in trade compliance?

Supply chain management, operations research, logistics, and data analytics are common STEM-designated fields that can qualify. International business and trade law degrees are generally not STEM-eligible. Check the Department of Homeland Security's CIP code list to confirm your specific degree program qualifies before counting on the extension in your job search timeline.

How do I find Trade Compliance Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?

Migrate Mate is the best starting point. It's built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by visa sponsorship willingness, so you're not sifting through listings from employers who won't consider work authorization candidates. Trade compliance roles with active customs, export control, or sanctions compliance functions are the ones most likely to support OPT and eventual H-1B sponsorship.

What happens to my OPT authorization if I'm between jobs as a Trade Compliance Manager?

F-1 OPT rules allow up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment during your standard OPT period. STEM OPT extension holders are limited to 150 days total across both periods combined. If you lose a job or a contract ends, the unemployment clock starts immediately. Staying proactive about your next role rather than waiting until you have an offer is critical to protecting your status.