About the Company:
Family entrepreneurship has been a founding principle that allows WENDT CORPORATION to understand the challenges and opportunities facing our customers. Founded in 1977 by Thomas A. Wendt Sr., the company continues after four decades to be an independently-owned and -operated family business, now under the leadership of Tom Wendt Jr.
WENDT has been committed to serving the scrap metal recycling industry for almost 50 years. Our commitment combined with our ability to be flexible, dynamic and utilize all the resources available to solve our customers’ difficult problems and provide innovative solutions is truly what sets us apart as a world-class integrator and a supplier.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a mission-driven company making a global impact in sustainable metal recycling.
- Work with state-of-the-art technology in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Enjoy opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
- Multiple openings available for immediate placement.
Competitive Benefits Package
- Performance Bonuses – Unlock additional earning potential with a bonus opportunity based on your and the company's success
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Build your financial future with a robust 401(k) plan
- 401(k) Company Match – We invest in your future too—enjoy matching contributions to grow your retirement faster
- Comprehensive Dental Insurance – Keep your smile healthy with extensive dental coverage
- Health Insurance Coverage – Access high-quality healthcare
- Health Savings Account (HSA) – Save money tax-free for medical expenses and gain more control over your healthcare spending
- Life Insurance Protection – Peace of mind for you and your loved ones with employer-paid life insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off – Recharge and relax with ample PTO, because work-life balance matters
- Professional Development Support – Advance your career with training, and other growth opportunities—on us
- Employee Referral Program – Love where you work? Get rewarded for bringing great people on board
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Get confidential support for life’s challenges—mental health, legal help, financial guidance, and more
Position Summary:
The Import/Export Specialist manages the day-to-day movement of WENDT Corporation’s international inbound and outbound shipments and owns trade-compliance execution for the organization. This role coordinates ocean, air, and ground freight with carriers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers; prepares and maintains complete and accurate import/export documentation; and ensures every shipment complies with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, export-control requirements, and applicable free-trade-agreement programs. The position is hands-on and detail-driven, serving as WENDT’s primary point of contact for international logistics and trade compliance in support of manufacturing, project, and aftermarket parts operations
Duties
Shipment Coordination & Freight Management
- Coordinate international inbound and outbound shipments end to end, including ocean, air, LCL/FCL, and expedited freight for production materials, capital equipment, and aftermarket parts.
- Manage ocean freight bookings, container scheduling, and sailing schedules; track vessels and containers from origin to final delivery and proactively resolve delays, rolls, and demurrage exposure.
- Serve as primary liaison to freight forwarders, NVOCCs, carriers, and customs brokers; obtain and compare freight quotes and select cost-effective routing and Incoterms.
- Track all in-transit shipments and maintain a live shipment status log; communicate estimated and revised arrival dates to Purchasing, Planning, Project Management, and the receiving warehouse.
- Coordinate drayage, container returns, and final-mile delivery to WENDT facilities and job sites, and schedule receiving to align with production and project needs.
- Monitor and validate freight invoices, duty, and brokerage charges; identify and dispute billing discrepancies, detention, and demurrage.
Documentation & Recordkeeping
- Prepare, review, and maintain complete import/export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, ISF (Importer Security Filing / 10+2), and shipper’s letters of instruction.
- Ensure documentation accuracy and consistency across supplier, broker, carrier, and internal records prior to shipment and entry.
- Maintain organized, audit-ready import/export files and retain records in accordance with CBP recordkeeping requirements (generally five years) and company policy.
- Reconcile shipment documentation to purchase orders, receipts, and ERP transactions to support accurate landed-cost and inventory records.
Import Compliance, HTS Classification & Customs
- Determine and assign Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications for imported goods and maintain the company’s HTS classification database, ensuring correct duty rates and admissibility.
- Calculate estimated duties, tariffs, MPF/HMF fees, and applicable Section 232/301 or other special-program charges to support landed-cost analysis.
- Direct and review customs entries filed by brokers for accuracy of classification, valuation, and country of origin; ensure timely entry and release.
- Manage the customs broker relationship, including instructions, powers of attorney, entry review, and post-entry corrections (PSC / post-summary adjustments).
- Serve as the company contact for CBP inquiries, requests for information (CF-28), notices of action (CF-29), and audits; prepare supporting documentation and responses.
Free Trade Agreements & Country of Origin
- Determine country of origin and evaluate goods for qualification under USMCA and other applicable free-trade agreements and duty-savings programs.
- Solicit, validate, and maintain supplier origin certifications and USMCA certificates of origin; ensure supporting documentation substantiates all preference claims.
- Identify duty-reduction and duty-recovery opportunities (FTA qualification, duty drawback, first-sale, and tariff engineering) and quantify potential savings.
Export Controls & Trade Security
- Screen transactions and parties against denied-, debarred, and restricted-party lists prior to export and document screening results.
- Support export classification (ECCN/EAR and USML/ITAR) and determine licensing requirements; coordinate license applications and recordkeeping as required.
- Prepare and file Electronic Export Information (EEI) in the Automated Export System (AES) for applicable shipments and verify accuracy of export documentation.
- Maintain awareness of embargoes, sanctions (OFAC), and evolving trade regulations, and escalate potential compliance issues to the VP of Supply Management.
Administration, Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain shipment, compliance, and cost data within the ERP system (Infor VISUAL) and related tracking tools to ensure data accuracy and reporting.
- Develop and maintain standard work, desk procedures, and KPIs for international logistics and trade compliance (on-time delivery, freight cost, duty spend, entry accuracy).
- Recommend and support process improvements and automation, including AI-assisted classification, document handling, and shipment tracking.
- Perform other duties as assigned and required.
Education and Experience:
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Business, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
- Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on import/export, international logistics, or trade-compliance experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience with HTS classification, CBP entry processes, and customs broker coordination.
- Familiarity with USMCA/FTA qualification and export controls (EAR/ITAR, AES/EEI filing) preferred.
- Licensed Customs Broker credential or Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) a plus.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
- Working knowledge of ocean freight management, freight forwarding, and Incoterms 2020.
- Strong working knowledge of U.S. import/export regulations, HTS classification, and trade-compliance recordkeeping.
- Proficient in MS Office (advanced Excel) and ERP systems; experience with Infor VISUAL a plus.
- Comfortable adopting emerging AI and automation tools to improve accuracy and efficiency.
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and data entry.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines simultaneously.
- Effective written and verbal communication with carriers, brokers, suppliers, and internal teams.
- Analytical and problem-solving ability to resolve shipment, classification, and cost issues.
- High integrity and discretion in handling compliance-sensitive information.
- Leverages AI tools to improve efficiency in Personal and department use
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
- Join us as we innovate and enhance our systems, providing exceptional solutions that drive success for our clients. If you are passionate about technology and eager to contribute your skills in a collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $78,000.00 per year
Experience:
- Import/Export: 3 years (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
