About The Role

JOB PURPOSE The Principal Specialist, Trade Customs Compliance serves as the technical subject matter expert responsible for maintaining and enhancing MPA’s trade compliance program. This position supports compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Partner Government Agency (PGA), Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and supply chain security requirements through classification governance, duty recovery administration, compliance program management, auditing, and regulatory oversight. The position works closely with Hyundai MOBIS Korea, Customs Brokers, Systems, Legal Counsel, Distribution Centers, and government agencies to minimize compliance risk, improve operational efficiency, support compliance modernization initiatives, and maximize duty savings opportunities. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Classification Governance Regulatory Compliance (35%) • Lead and maintain MPA's tariff classification program for imported service parts and accessories. • Research and interpret Harmonized Tariff Schedule provisions, CBP rulings, legal decisions, and regulatory guidance. • Maintain classification database integrity and consistency. • Coordinate technical classification reviews with Hyundai MOBIS Korea and internal stakeholders. • Manage ACE compliance activities, including CF-28 Requests for Information and CF-29 Notices of Action. • Support Customs inquiries, examinations, and regulatory reviews. • Monitor regulatory developments and emerging trade compliance risks. • Develop recommendations that support compliance while minimizing business disruption. Duty Recovery, Free Trade Agreements Trade Programs (25%) • Administer Free Trade Agreement programs, including KORUS and USMCA. • Validate eligibility requirements and supporting documentation. • Identify and manage retroactive duty recovery opportunities. • Coordinate Post Summary Corrections (PSCs), protests, and other post-entry activities. • Develop reporting and tracking mechanisms for duty savings and recoveries. • Support trade preference programs and duty mitigation initiatives. • Collaborate with brokers, legal counsel, and Korea affiliates to resolve complex trade compliance matters. • Recommend process improvements that increase utilization of available trade programs. Compliance Programs, Audits Governance (25%) • Serve as primary administrator of MPA's C-TPAT program. • Coordinate annual validations, certifications, risk assessments, and supporting documentation. • Conduct quarterly compliance audits at Parts Distribution Centers. • Verify country-of-origin marking compliance and supporting documentation. • Perform three-way reviews of product labeling, commercial documentation, and system master data. • Maintain the Trade Compliance Manual and associated procedures. • Administer customs record retention requirements. • Ensure audit readiness and coordinate corrective actions resulting from internal or external reviews. Compliance Analytics, Systems Continuous Improvement (15%) • Develop and maintain compliance reporting, dashboards, KPIs, and management presentations. • Analyze customs entry data, duty spend, tariff exposure, and trade program utilization. • Monitor customs broker interfaces and compliance-related system issues. • Partner with Systems, Customs Brokers, and service providers to resolve compliance-impacting system or data issues. • Participate in the development of Business Requirement Documents (BRDs), user acceptance testing, and related documentation for customs compliance system enhancements, reporting improvements, interface changes, and process automation initiatives. • Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve operational efficiency. • Support modernization and digitization of trade compliance procedures and documentation. • Develop data-driven recommendations that improve compliance performance and business results. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Trade Compliance Regulatory Performance • Maintain compliance with applicable Customs regulations, trade agreements, and supply chain security requirements. • Ensure classifications reviews, regulatory responses, and compliance activities are completed accurately and timely. • Monitor regulatory developments and communicate potential impacts to MPA's import operations. Duty Recovery Trade Programs • Effectively administer Free Trade Agreement programs and duty recovery initiatives. • Identify opportunities to maximize duty savings and improve program utilization. • Maintain accurate reporting of duty recoveries, refunds, and savings initiatives, and post-entry activity. Compliance Programs Governance • Maintain readiness for C-TPAT validations, internal audits, and regulatory reviews. • Complete quarterly PDC compliance audits and support timely implementation of corrective actions. • Maintain current compliance documentation, procedures, and record retention requirements. Analytics Continuous Improvement • Provide meaningful compliance reporting and performance metrics to management. • Leverage data analytics to identify risks, trends, savings opportunities, and process improvements. • Implement solutions that improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and reduce compliance risk. WORK SCHEDULE/TRAVEL Work schedule/hours Travel 8:00am – 5:00pm Minimal, less than 5% annually MAJOR CHALLENGES AND KEY DECISIONS • Interpret complex customs regulations and determine compliant courses of action. • Balance compliance requirements with operational needs. • Resolve classification, origin, and regulatory issues requiring technical analysis. • Coordinate cross-functional compliance initiatives across multiple stakeholders. • Develop scalable solutions that improve compliance performance and efficiency. • Manage compliance obligations in a rapidly changing trade environment.