Assistant Director, Trade Compliance & Logistics
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
July 02, 2026
Remote friendly (Carlsbad, CA)
United States
Operations
Assistant Director, Trade Compliance & Logistics
Job Summary
- Lead and support U.S. import compliance activities and global logistics operations to ensure compliance with U.S. Customs and Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements, manage import/transportation processes, support commercial launch activities, and drive operational improvements across the global supply chain.
Responsibilities
- Support day-to-day U.S. import compliance (CBP and applicable PGA), including review/approval of import documentation, HTS classifications, valuation, country of origin, and end-use documentation.
- Review, audit, and maintain import documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, customs entries, FDA-related import documentation).
- Coordinate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, and internal stakeholders for timely customs clearance and delivery.
- Monitor shipments and resolve customs clearance/transportation issues (CBP inquiries, FDA holds, and other delays).
- Assist with HTS classification and country-of-origin determinations.
- Support import audit readiness and compliance reporting; implement corrective actions and process improvements.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA/APHIS, Fish & Wildlife Service, and other PGA requirements by verifying required import data and ensuring permits/licenses are in place prior to shipment.
- Track logistics/import compliance metrics and broker KPIs; participate in business review meetings.
- Partner cross-functionally (Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Quality, Regulatory) to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support launch readiness.
- Lead process improvement initiatives (SOP updates, shipping qualification, risk assessments, GTM initiatives).
- Support FTZ operations, FDA import coordination, and temperature-controlled international shipments.
Required Qualifications/Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, logistics, international business, or related (or equivalent experience).
- 8+ years U.S. import compliance and international logistics in a regulated industry.
- Knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations; FDA/PGA import requirements.
- Experience with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and transportation providers.
- Familiarity with HTS classification, import valuation, country of origin, Incoterms, and import documentation.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; proactive and independent.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ERP/logistics systems.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
Preferred
- Experience in biotech/pharma/medical device or other regulated industries.
- Familiarity with FDA import requirements and PGA processes.
- Customs Broker License or trade compliance certification.
- SAP S/4, SAP, or equivalent ERP; TMS or GTM systems.
- Experience supporting product launches, FTZ operations, or temperature-controlled supply chains.
Benefits/Pay
- Pay scale: $110,900–$144,205.
Application Instructions
- Apply at http://www.ionis.com; reference requisition # IONIS003929. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.
Job Summary
- Lead and support U.S. import compliance activities and global logistics operations to ensure compliance with U.S. Customs and Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements, manage import/transportation processes, support commercial launch activities, and drive operational improvements across the global supply chain.
Responsibilities
- Support day-to-day U.S. import compliance (CBP and applicable PGA), including review/approval of import documentation, HTS classifications, valuation, country of origin, and end-use documentation.
- Review, audit, and maintain import documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, customs entries, FDA-related import documentation).
- Coordinate with customs brokers, freight forwarders, carriers, and internal stakeholders for timely customs clearance and delivery.
- Monitor shipments and resolve customs clearance/transportation issues (CBP inquiries, FDA holds, and other delays).
- Assist with HTS classification and country-of-origin determinations.
- Support import audit readiness and compliance reporting; implement corrective actions and process improvements.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA/APHIS, Fish & Wildlife Service, and other PGA requirements by verifying required import data and ensuring permits/licenses are in place prior to shipment.
- Track logistics/import compliance metrics and broker KPIs; participate in business review meetings.
- Partner cross-functionally (Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Quality, Regulatory) to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support launch readiness.
- Lead process improvement initiatives (SOP updates, shipping qualification, risk assessments, GTM initiatives).
- Support FTZ operations, FDA import coordination, and temperature-controlled international shipments.
Required Qualifications/Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, logistics, international business, or related (or equivalent experience).
- 8+ years U.S. import compliance and international logistics in a regulated industry.
- Knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations; FDA/PGA import requirements.
- Experience with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and transportation providers.
- Familiarity with HTS classification, import valuation, country of origin, Incoterms, and import documentation.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; proactive and independent.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ERP/logistics systems.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
Preferred
- Experience in biotech/pharma/medical device or other regulated industries.
- Familiarity with FDA import requirements and PGA processes.
- Customs Broker License or trade compliance certification.
- SAP S/4, SAP, or equivalent ERP; TMS or GTM systems.
- Experience supporting product launches, FTZ operations, or temperature-controlled supply chains.
Benefits/Pay
- Pay scale: $110,900–$144,205.
Application Instructions
- Apply at http://www.ionis.com; reference requisition # IONIS003929. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.