Who We Are:

Kontoor Brands is a portfolio of three of the world’s most iconic lifestyle, outdoor and workwear brands: Wrangler®, Lee® and Helly Hansen®. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long- term value for its stakeholders.

Job Posting:

Trade Compliance Specialist

Kontoor Brands is seeking a proactive Trade Compliance Specialist to ensure compliance with US and CA Customs regulations and trade laws. This role will be responsible for overseeing at least one functional area of Trade Compliance—such as Import Compliance, Export Compliance, Supply Chain Security, or Special Programs—while serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in at least two areas. The specialist will play a key role in identifying and mitigating trade risks, developing and managing compliance processes, and ensuring regulatory adherence in daily operations. While this position has no direct reports, it will require strong cross-functional collaboration with logistics, distribution center operations, finance, and legal teams. The role will also involve managing audits, engaging with government agencies, and participating in industry groups as needed. Additionally, the specialist will lead process improvements and efficiency initiatives to enhance Kontoor’s trade compliance framework. Ongoing professional development and continuous learning will be essential to keeping Kontoor ahead of regulatory changes.

Responsibilities:  

• Demonstrate working knowledge in Trade Compliance functional areas (i.e. Imports, Exports, Special Programs (Free Trade Agreements, Drawback, FTZ, First Sale), Supply Chain Security (i.e. CTPAT)).
• Liaison with external brokers ensuring Import and Export Compliance.
• Ensure compliance for product classification (HTS).
• Serve as a consultant and subject matter expert (SME) to provide necessary services to other departments concerning Trade Compliance or Customs issues.
• Support the standardization and harmonization for Customs compliance operations and processes.
• Deliver compliance improvements and savings opportunities.
• Research and provide insight on Trade Compliance regulatory changes in US and CA.
• Define and maintain compliance KPI’s and KCI’s (Key Control Indicators)
• Maintain appropriate record keeping as required.
• Perform other duties as required/assigned by the Trade compliance Manager.
• Create and analyze reports from ACE, CARM, or other sources.

Requirements:  

• 3 – 5 years' experience in Trade Compliance, working directly with Customs and overseeing and participating in compliance programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in international business, finance, or supply chain management.
• Proficient in Microsoft office applications (i.e. Outlook, Excel, PowerBI, and SharePoint).
• Effective communication skills and experience working in a customer-focused environment.
• Working knowledge in classification, import and export compliance.
• In-depth knowledge of Trade Compliance regulations.
• Analytical skills and able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proactive in recognizing and adjusting to shifting priorities.
• Ability to complete assignments accurately and within specified time frames, with minimal supervision and direction.
• Preferred Experience:
  • Footwear & Apparel Industry experience and or working for an importer.
  • SAP Finance Experience.
  • Customs Broker License or equivalent experience

Leadership Competencies Expected for this Role:

Emerging Leader

Global Agility – Open to diverse views, adapts to new ways of working

Purposeful Integrity – Demonstrates ethical behavior, follows through on commitments

Strategic Foresight – Understands team goals, asks strategic questions

Customer Centric Innovation – Suggests improvements from customer feedback, tries new methods

Urgency for Impact – Act quickly and take ownership of outcomes

Bold Accountability – Own your work and deliver consistently strong results

Empowered Collaboration – Share ideas, listens well, collaborates with peers

Why Kontoor Brands?

At Kontoor, we offer a comprehensive benefit package to fit your lifestyle. Our benefits are crafted with the same care as our products.

When our employees are healthy, secure, and well, they bring their best selves to work. Kontoor Brands supports you with a competitive benefits program that provides choice and flexibility to meet your and your family’s needs – now and in the future. We offer resources to support your physical, emotional, social, and financial wellbeing, plus benefits like discounts on our apparel. Kontoor Brands also provides four weeks of Paid Parental Leave to eligible employees who are new parents, Flexible Fridays, and Tuition Reimbursement.

We are proud to offer a workplace culture centered on equitable opportunities and a sense of belonging for all team members. Here we have a global workforce of high-performing teams that both unlocks our individual uniqueness and harnesses our collaborative talents.