Trade Compliance Specialist in St Helens

At Gentex Corporation, we’ve created an environment where great ideas and great people can thrive. Leveraging a history that spans over 130 years, Gentex is a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel operating in high performance environments. Join our multinational team of exceptional and dedicated employees around the world and work on challenging and rewarding projects, grow your skills, and advance your career all while making a positive difference in the lives of our customers.

The Trade Compliance Officer/Specialist will ensure the company’s activities in the defence sector comply with all applicable UK and international export control laws, including military and dual-use regulations, sanctions, and licensing regimes. This role supports secure, lawful trade operations and mitigates regulatory risk, particularly in high-risk markets.

• Ensure full compliance with UK Strategic Export Control legislation (including the Export Control Order 2008 and Export Control Act 2002), and international regimes (e.g. Wassenaar Arrangement, US ITAR/EAR if applicable).
• Classify goods, software, and technology against the UK Strategic Export Control Lists, including military and dual-use items.
• Prepare and submit export license applications (via SPIRE or LITE systems) and ensure timely reporting to the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU).
• Oversee the screening of customers, suppliers, and end-users against UK, EU, and US sanctions and restricted party lists.
• Assist and enforce the policy.
• Support US compliance team when requested with US ITAR/EAR requirements where the business involves US-origin defence articles or technology.
• Maintain internal export control and compliance policies, procedures, and training across the business.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to engineering, program management, and procurement on export control and license requirements.
• Maintain and monitor end-use/end-user controls and conduct due diligence to identify red flags.
• Ensure the correct use of customs documentation, product classification (HS/TARIC codes), valuation, and country of origin.
• Act as a liaison with regulatory bodies (e.g., HMRC, MOD, ECJU) and work with the US team with BIS, or DDTC if US regulations apply.
• Support internal and external audits, investigations, and voluntary disclosures where necessary.

• Ensure Regulatory Compliance with UK Strategic Export Control legislation and the Export Control Order 2008, Export Control Act 2002.
• Sanctions and Restricted Party Screening.
• Cross-Departmental Export Compliance Support.
• End-Use and End-User Compliance.
• Customs and Trade Compliance.
• Internal and External Audit Support.
• Stakeholder Liaison and Communication.
• Risk Management and Compliance Monitoring.

• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of UK export control laws, including the Export Control Order 2008 and Export Control Act 2002. Strong knowledge of international export control regimes, such as the Wassenaar Arrangement. Familiarity with US ITAR/EAR regulations, especially when handling U.S.-origin defence articles or dual-use technologies. Understanding of sanctions laws, including UK, EU, and U.S. OFAC restrictions.
• Technical Classification Skills: Ability to classify goods, software, and technology under the UK Strategic Export Control Lists such as the Military and dual-use categories. Assign HS/TARIC customs codes.
• Licensing and Documentation Expertise: Skilled in preparing, submitting, and managing export licence applications using SPIRE or LITE. Ability to maintain accurate reporting to the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). Strong understanding of customs documentation, including valuation and country-of-origin rules.
• Compliance Program Management: Ability to develop, maintain, and implement internal compliance policies and procedures. Capability to deliver training to cross-functional teams on export controls, sanctions, and compliance processes. Strong record-keeping and document control abilities.
• Screening and Due Diligence: Proficiency in customer, supplier, and end-user screening using major international restricted party lists. Ability to conduct end-use/end-user due diligence, identifying red flags and escalation risks. Strong analytical skills to assess potential compliance threats.
• Cross-Functional Guidance and Support: Ability to provide clear, actionable compliance guidance to engineering, procurement, program management and supply chain teams.
• Stakeholder and Regulator Engagement: Ability to liaise professionally with the HMRC, Ministry of Defence (MOD), ECJU. Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external partners.
• Audit and Investigation Capability: Experience preparing for and supporting internal and external audits, including government reviews and assist with internal investigations into potential export control breaches. Knowledge of how to support or prepare voluntary disclosures.
• Systems and Tools Proficiency: Experience using SPIRE or LITE licensing portals, Screening tools, ERP (SAP) systems for classification and export compliance workflows. Strong Excel and document management skills.
• Soft Skills and Personal Abilities: Attention to detail, critical for interpreting regulations and technical data. Analytical thinking, to evaluate risks and legal implications. Problem-solving tasks finding compliant and practical solutions to trade challenges. Integrity and ethics: Something that is essential for handling sensitive defence and trade matters. Time management and prioritization, balancing multiple licensing and compliance tasks. Strong written and verbal communication. Producing clear guidance, reports, and documentation.

• 2-5 years of experience in working in the export and import compliance.
• Having experience working in industries with complex regulatory environments, such as aerospace, defense or high-tech manufacturing is a plus.
• Familiarity with US ITAR/EAR compliance for US-origin defense articles or dual-use technology.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Relations or Business) is a plus.
• Additional certifications such as Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) or Global Trade Compliance Professional is a plus.

At Gentex Europe, you’ll be part of a dynamic, ambitious organisation backed by a global leader in mission-critical innovation. We combine global expertise with the agility of a local business, meaning you’ll have the autonomy to make an impact while benefiting from world-class resources and investment.

We offer:

• Significant influence over manufacturing strategy and transformation.
• Opportunities for leadership development and career progression.
• Exposure to cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and automation initiatives.
• A collaborative culture where performance and innovation are recognised.

At Gentex, we don’t just accept difference—we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products and our community.