Nouryon
Website:
nouryon.com
Job details:
Free Trade Agreement and Classification Senior Specialist
At Nouryon, our global team takes positive action every day, to reach higher collectively and individually. We create innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers to answer society's needs – today and in the future.
We are looking for a an experienced Trade Classification and FTA Senior Specialist who has a deep expertise in HS classification, ECCN/Export Controls, and Free Trade Agreements Preference programs including a strong exposure of EU customs and trade regulations. Does that sound like you?
We are looking for team members who bring ideas forward, champion others and work together to do better. Does that sound like you?
About the job
The Trade Classification and FTA Senior Specialist will support the worldwide strategy and execution of Nouryon’s trade classification, export controls, and preferential origin qualification program. This is a high-impact, global role reporting to the Impex and Trade Operations Manager, located in India.
This role sets the direction and ensures the excellence of Nouryon’s global HS classification framework, ECCN and export control compliance, and Free Trade Agreement qualification programs. Regional scope is global. You will drive cross-functional alignment across Logistics, Legal, Finance, and Commercial teams, and will act as the key point of escalation for complex classification and preference matters. In addition to day-to-day oversight, the role will be regularly engaged to lead and support strategic trade compliance projects with significant business impact.
Significant part of the responsibilities will be related to the Classification. Successful candidate will Determine HS classifications for complex chemical products through analysis of chemical composition, manufacturing process, product function, CBP precedent rulings, WCO Explanatory Notes, and WTO Harmonized System classification principles, ensuring global customs compliance and duty optimization.
In your future role as “Trade Classification and FTA Senior Specialist” you will
HS Classification & Export Controls
- Support the HS Global Classification Process.
- Act as a subject matter expert in the area of the classification.
- Classify materials based on national tariff regimes of US; EU; India; Brazil among the others, with an emphasis on chemical chapters: 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, not limited to.
- Assign HS Commodity Codes based on classification framework, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all Nouryon products and regions.
- Apply GRI and WCO Explanatory Notes.
- Review the technical data, such as: SDS; Product Specifications; CAS; material composition.
- Analyse Binding Rules, including CBP Rulings and assess a cross-jurisdiction impact.
- Prepare and document the classification rationale and logic, including drafting formal responses, positions papers and support documentation to address customs inquiries, audits and challenges.
- Determine Export Controls applicability, based on US, EU and China framework.
- Assign ECCN and Dual-Use Codes, as required.
- Assess the emerging sanctions regulations impact on materials classification.
- Participate in Customs queries and audits, as required.
- Review and support Customer classification disputes.
- Participate in other Classification related projects and activities.
- Assess and advice on duty and tariff rates, based on a classification and preference origin determination as well as other factors.
FTA Preference & Certificates of Origin
- Support and execute Nouryon global Free Trade Agreement qualification and tracking program, with a focus on maximizing duty savings and preferential treatment opportunities.
- Determinate and document the preferential status of the goods, including the application of the relevant rules of origin.
- Conduct the exploded Bill of Materials (BOM) analysis to substantiate the qualification.
- Maintain and prepare supporting documentation, including origin statements, LTSDs and comprehensive audit trails.
- Support the process of obtaining the EUR.1 and Certificates of Origin, by providing the required evidence and data to the submission personnel.
- Lead a preference evidence gathering activities, including supplier outreach and validation of the origin data.
- Advise on complex origin determinations and trade structuring scenarios.
- Empower the optimization activities through FTA eligibility usage and other mitigation strategies.
- Ensure integration of FTA programs with broader trade strategies including tariff engineering, duty drawback, Free Trade Zone utilization, where applicable.
- Enforce internal policies and documentation standards for FTA certifications, ensuring audit-readiness at all time and successful defense during customs inquiries, verifications and audits.
Strategic Projects & Cross-functional Collaboration
- Participate in improvement initiatives, including automations and digitalisations.
- Review and create required procedures and processes.
- Participate in the assessment of new regulation impacts e.g. EUDR, CBAM, Export Controls updates.
- Lead the duty rates changes monitoring activities.
- Participate in a cross-functional projects and initiatives.
- Actively cooperate with the various stakeholders e.g. Logistics, Procurement, Finance etc.
We believe you bring
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive import/export and trade compliance experience, with significant emphasis on HS classification, ECCN/Export Controls, and Free Trade Agreements at a global level.
- SME-level knowledge of the Harmonized Tariff System, chemicals and chemical products classification experience is an advantage.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Export Controls Classification, including ECCN classification, EU Dual-Use List, China Export Controls.
- Chemical or engineering background is an advantage.
- Proven experience with FTA qualification, certificates of origin (preferential and non-preferential), and retroactive FTA benefit claims across multiple regions (e.g. EU, APAC, Americas).
- Knowledge of EU preference and classification topics: EU preferential origin rules (PEM convention, supplier declarations / LTSDs), and EU dual-use export controls.
- Familiarity with EU trade policy developments such as CBAM, EUDR evolving sanctions regimes and tariffs trends is a plus.
- Experience participating in complex, cross-functional projects from inception to delivery in a multinational environment.
- Demonstrated ability to identify compliance-related risk and make clear, commercially sound recommendations to mitigate it.
- Experience with trade compliance tools and ERP systems (SAP GTS experience is a plus).
- Ability to apply critical and creative thinking to complex global problems, translating analysis into practical business solutions.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders through expertise, trust, and strong interpersonal relationships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; fluency in English is required. Additional language skills are an advantage.
Great if you have
- Result orientation
- Cooperation & ability to build global networks
- Initiative & drive for continuous improvement
- Integrity & high ethical standards
We believe you are…
- A natural leader who follows through on commitments and sets the tone for the team.
- A relationship builder who earns trust across cultures, functions, and levels of the organization.
- Highly organized – able to manage competing priorities and lead multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- A strong problem solver who brings calm, structured thinking to ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
We offer you
At Nouryon, we not only offer an exciting role and great colleagues, but also benefits in addition to your salary.
Are you passionate about sustainability, innovation, safety, and collaboration? Do you want to grow together with a company that is forward-looking and continuously improving how they work? Our employees have ideas on how to build a sustainable future and the drive and passion to realize them. If that describes you, we will gladly make way for your ambitions. From day one we support you with your personal growth, through challenging positions and comprehensive learning and development opportunities, in a dynamic, international, diverse, and proactive working environment.
Good to know
This is a permanent position on a full-time basis, based in Mumbai, India.
Click on Apply to know more.
