Trade & Customs Associate

Associate 2 -Trade & Customs

Team Overview 

The Tax Global Delivery Network (GDN) works closely with KPMG’s Global Tax leaders to translate business requirements into a clear global delivery strategy for delivery centers that supports the needs of global KPMG solutions in Tax. It also creates and operates an interoperable, seamlessly integrated network of Global Delivery Centers to enable globally consistent delivery. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Designation   Associate 2 Reporting to  Senior/Assistant Manager/Manager Role type  Individual contributor  Employment type  Full-time  

As we scale and build out the center, we are looking for an Associate 2 to assist with day-to-day trade          compliance functions for the Global Trade and Customs (GTC) Managed Services solution. The objective of this capability is to build a global managed services centre for product classification, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Post Entry Review (PER) solutions that drives technology enabled standard processes that delivers consistent, high quality and continuously improving processes for efficiency and effectiveness of our solutions bringing together the best KPMG Trade and Customs has to offer at a global scale with local expertise. As part of this team, your responsibilities will include but not limited to:

- Process and review data related to Trade & Customs operations

- Conduct research and collect product engineering and manufacturing specifications

- Assist with record keeping and electronic file maintenance, using internal retention databases

- Review and audit transactional documents related to customs entries

- Perform other duties as assigned

- Interact with US team effectively when required

- Sharing tools and best practices with supervisors/manager

- Need to have full view on client SLA, meets deadlines, puts in long hours and weekend hours (if need 

be)

 

Primary responsibilities vary by workflows/clients and may include HS classification, Solicitation, Restricted- Party Screening, Post-Entry Reviews and other trade compliance activities. The associate processes and reviews data related to Trade & Customs operations, conducts research and collects product engineering and manufacturing specifications, assists with record keeping and electronic file maintenance by using internal retention databases, reviews and audits transactional documents related to customs entries, and performs other duties as assigned. He/She may also get involved with ad-hoc projects to improve the understanding of Trade Compliance processes. It is also expected that the associate delivers timely and quality services that meet or exceed the expectations of the client and team manager.

 

Technical Competencies:

HTS:

- Responsible to assign Harmonized Tariff Scheduling code for various industries. Strong product knowledge on different industries such as Medical, Apparel, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Automotive commodities, etc.

- Good understanding on GRI, Chapter/Section/EN Notes. 

- Ability to interpt CROSS/BTI and draft rationale for the classification. 

- Experience in classifying goods under Chapter 84, 85 and 90. 

- Demonstrate experience in developing/working on semi-automated HTS tool. 

- Classification Analyst is expected to work independently with some assistance.

 

FTA:

- Solicit suppliers for free trade (USMCA, CAFTA, KORUS etc) and country of origin.

- Monitor and follow-up with supplier solicitations

- Review supplier responses for accuracy and maintain up-to-date trackers

- Maintain appropriate recordkeeping to support free trade claims

- Make the calls to the suppliers to get the faster solicitation responses when required

- Audit the solicitation accepted campaigns a weekly basis.

- Coordinating with Lead/manager to identify process improvements based on the monthly KPI's.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science/Commerce degree from accredited college or university. Master degree can also be considered.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suit Applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• With at least 2 years of relevant experience in trade compliance
• Administrative or data processing experience, preferably within a professional service environment 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 

 

   Preferred Skills: 

- Ability to work individually and in a team environment 

- Strong commitment, ability to multi-task and be a team player 

- Dedicated to superior client service 

 

  Behavioral / team skills

• Highly proficient in communication skills and excellent analytical skills
• Based on demand, willing to work across the different business lines like HTS, FTA, PER, RPS
• Remain professional when challenged ethically by clients/offices
• Sharing tools and best practices with supervisors/team members
• Take part in trainings related to evolution of technology to keep abreast of the changes.
• Work independently with minimum assistance/supervision
• Understand the process in whole and articulate your part in the task performed
• Keep up to date with technical trainings and cross training, develop and maintain network with colleagues. Provide updates on process issues/changes to team members to avoid repeat errors. 
• Seek feedback on the work that is delivered by him/ her, own and be accountable to receive feedback
• Accountable for self-submission of time to the client codes
• Own the responsibility of discussions/connects with US client contacts
• Validate data for risk and accuracy purposes
• Know the Client you are working for and how we add value - know what is in market for them
• People management skills with demonstrated ability to build a transparent and cohesive team.
• Work collaboratively with the clients and deliver quality services by enforcing quality and KPMG standards.

Experience Level

Mid Level