About this Trade Compliance Specialist role at HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Export Control & Trade Compliance Specialist (China)
Location: China
Reporting Line: Global Director of Trade Compliance
ROLE PURPOSE
The Export Control and Trade Compliance Specialist (China) is an individual contributor responsible for ensuring compliance of China operations with China, EU, UK, and U.S. export control and sanctions regulations, while bridging global requirements and local execution.
The role combines strategic influence and education of China teams, including management, with hands-on responsibility for reviewing, approving, and releasing transactions, customers, and end-users. It supports China management through clear, risk-based guidance that enables compliant business without unnecessary conservatism, while maintaining strict adherence to legal requirements. The role has the authority to stop or delay transactions where risks are identified and acts as the primary interface between China operations and the global trade compliance function.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Global Export Control Compliance
Ensure compliance with China export control laws, U.S. EAR, EU Dual-Use Regulation (EU) 2021/821, UK export controls, and applicable sanctions.
Apply catch-all controls using a risk-based approach, focusing on military and WMD end-use and end-user risk involving universities, research institutes, and advanced technology.
Monitor regulatory developments affecting exports from and to China and advise on proportionate business responses.
Bridge Between Global and China Operations
Serve as the primary trade compliance contact for China operations.
Advise China management and teams on achieving business objectives in a compliant and practical manner.
Translate global policies into enforceable local processes aligned with business realities and global standards.
Transaction Review, Approval and Release
Review, approve, hold, or block orders, shipments, customers, and end-users involving China.
Perform end-use and end-user due diligence, including enhanced reviews for high-risk transactions.
Determine license requirements and support license applications where needed.
Maintain clear documentation of decisions and approvals.
Classification and Licensing
Assign and validate export control classifications (ECCN and EU dual-use) and support HS classification alignment.
Ensure correct application of licensing conditions and escalate sensitive cases where required.
Education, Influence and Culture
Educate and influence China management and teams on export control obligations and expectations.
Deliver practical training on China, U.S., EU, and UK export controls, sanctions, and catch-all requirements.
Promote a culture where compliance is a legal obligation and a business enabler.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
Conduct compliance reviews and support audits and self-assessments.
Identify compliance risks and drive corrective actions with China management.
AUTHORITY AND DECISION RIGHTS
Authority to stop, delay, or block transactions presenting export control or sanctions risk.
Authority to require additional due diligence or escalation before approval.
Mandate to challenge business decisions where legal compliance is at risk, while supporting compliant alternatives.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Law, International Trade, Engineering, Business, or related field.
5+ years of experience in export control or trade compliance in a multinational or technology environment.
Strong knowledge of China, U.S. EAR, EU dual-use controls, and sanctions.
Experience reviewing export transactions and managing high-risk cases; China academic or advanced technology exposure preferred.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
Strong judgment, integrity, and independence, with a risk-based and solution-oriented mindset.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Clear communicator with strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
LANGUAGES
Fluent English, written and spoken;
Mandarin Chinese required.
About us - Malvern Panalytical, Micromeritics and SciAps.
Together we are a powerful and highly complementary combination of market leading technologies.
We are the toolmakers for the world's most innovative companies, academic institutions, and government laboratories. We are their partners in discovery.
Malvern Panalytical instruments analyze the chemical, physical and structural nature of materials, from proteins to polymers and semiconductors to minerals. Our leading technologies measure particle size, shape, concentration and zeta potential, biomolecular interactions and stability, elemental concentrations and crystallographic structure.
Micromeritics manufactures systems for the characterization of particles, powders, and porous materials for a wide- range of end markets including catalysts, chemicals, building materials, clean-tech and battery. Our leading technologies measure surface area, porosity, density, adsorption and particle activity.
SciAps specializes in portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser-based (LIBS) and near-infrared (NIR) analyzers to measure any element in any environment. SciAps is the Center of Excellence for our handheld instruments.
We have a global footprint with R&D and manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and Asia.
We are more than 2,500 employees in a customer-focused organization with sales and service offices in 20 countries, all committed to delivering expert and responsive customer support.
We are part of Spectris. Spectris combines precision with purpose, delivering progress for a more sustainable world. Precision is at the heart of what we do – our leading, high-tech instruments and software equip our customers to solve some of their greatest challenges to make the world cleaner, healthier and more productive.
Malvern Panalytical, Micromeritics & SciAps
Your Partners in Discovery
Malvern Panalytical, Micromeritics and SciAps, part of the Spectris Group, are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and achieve a fulfilling career. Changing the world isn’t something you can do on your own, or with a single way of thinking; it takes a wide collection of experiences, stories, knowledge, and expertise. We encourage applications from underrepresented individuals and people with diverse backgrounds. Although we always select the most qualified applicant for each role and make all decisions without regard to race, sex, age, or any other protected class, we are an inclusive, equal opportunity organization that prizes diversity. Your unique perspective is important to us.
