Director of Trade Compliance – Quality

Zhone Technologies

. Lead and continuously improve Zhone’s global import and export compliance program .

Posted 10/31/2026full-timeLargo • Florida • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), HTS classification, and trade compliance management, with a strong focus on maintaining ISO 9001 and TL 9000 certifications. Proven ability to develop and implement compliance policies, conduct audits, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR)HTS ClassificationTrade Compliance ManagementISO 9001 Quality Management SystemCertified Export Specialist (CES)

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

ECCN ClassificationsExport LicensingRegulatory Records ManagementQuality AuditsData AnalysisTechnical Product InterpretationContinuous ImprovementCAPARoot-Cause AnalysisQuality Performance Indicators

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsInvestigative SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsCommunication SkillsAttention to Detail

Tools & Technologies

ERP SystemsTrade-Compliance ToolsMicrosoft Excel

Certifications & Qualifications

Certified Customs Specialist (CCS)U.S. Customs Broker LicenseISO 9001 Lead AuditorTL 9000 TrainingASQ CQA

Industry Keywords

International TradeImport/Export ComplianceTelecommunicationsElectronics ManufacturingODM/EMS

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

ERP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and continuously improve Zhone’s global import and export compliance program
Interpret and apply U.S. and international trade laws and regulations, including EAR, ITAR where applicable, U.S. Customs requirements, sanctions requirements, and FCC-related considerations
Manage classification of products, components, software, and technology using ECCN and HTS classifications
Determine export authorization and licensing requirements and manage export licenses and import permits
Manage denied-party, restricted-party, sanctions, embargo, country-of-destination, end-use, and end-user compliance
Review transactions involving controlled or potentially restricted technologies, customers, countries, suppliers, end users, and end uses
Establish and maintain trade compliance policies, procedures, work instructions, records, and internal controls
Ensure accurate customs, import/export, and international shipping documentation
Support country-of-origin, customs valuation, tariff-classification, global sourcing, contract manufacturing, product transfer, and manufacturing-location-change compliance
Monitor regulatory developments and implement required process and documentation changes
Conduct or coordinate trade compliance audits and risk assessments
Develop and deliver role-appropriate trade compliance training
Maintain documentation for internal audits, external audits, disclosures, and regulatory inquiries
Investigate and resolve complex or escalated trade compliance matters
Coordinate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, suppliers, customers, regulatory authorities, and external trade counsel
Partner with Engineering on technical information, product classifications, and regulatory assessments
Lead Zhone’s initiative to achieve and maintain ISO 9001 and TL 9000 certification
Develop, implement, and maintain a company-wide Quality Management System
Conduct QMS gap assessments and establish a certification-readiness roadmap
Maintain quality policies, procedures, work instructions, records, and document-control requirements
Establish and coordinate internal quality audits and QMS management reviews
Manage or oversee nonconformities, CAPA, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action effectiveness
Establish and monitor quality performance indicators and TL 9000 measurements
Coordinate quality requirements with ODM, EMS, component, and other manufacturing partners
Support supplier qualification, supplier performance monitoring, supplier corrective actions, and quality audits
Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Customer Support on product and process quality
Lead preparation for certification and surveillance audits and serve as primary interface with certification bodies
Ensure audit findings and nonconformities are investigated, documented, corrected, and closed
Drive continuous improvement using quality data, customer feedback, product returns, manufacturing issues, field performance, and supplier performance

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, International Trade, Engineering, Quality, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent combination of relevant education and substantial trade compliance experience may be considered
8+ years of progressive, hands-on trade compliance experience
Extensive working knowledge of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
Experience performing or managing ECCN classifications
Strong experience with HTS classification and U.S. Customs requirements
Experience determining export licensing and authorization requirements
Experience with sanctions, embargo, end-use/end-user, and restricted-party compliance
Experience managing international import/export documentation and regulatory records
Experience working with freight forwarders, customs brokers, suppliers, and contract manufacturers
Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills
Experience developing or maintaining trade compliance policies, procedures, internal controls, training, and audit programs
Ability to interpret technical product information and collaborate with Engineering on regulatory classifications
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, manufacturing partners, auditors, and regulatory authorities
High attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, audit-ready compliance and quality records
Strong Microsoft Excel and data-analysis capabilities
Experience with ERP systems and trade-compliance or classification tools preferred
Practical experience working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System
Familiarity with QMS documentation, internal audits, management reviews, certification readiness, CAPA, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement
Experience supporting or leading an ISO certification or surveillance audit strongly preferred
Previous TL 9000 experience highly desirable
Experience with quality management in telecommunications, electronics manufacturing, ODM/EMS, or technology-hardware environments preferred
Familiarity with 5 Whys, 8D, Fishbone/Ishikawa analysis, Pareto analysis, and FMEA desirable
Certified Export Specialist (CES), Certified Customs Specialist (CCS), U.S. Customs Broker License, or additional recognized trade-compliance training strongly preferred/desirable
ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or Lead Implementer training, TL 9000 training, ASQ CQA, ASQ CMQ/OE, or ASQ CQE preferred