About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s is North America’s largest outdoor recreation retailer, with over 200 retail destinations across the United States and Canada. We are also a manufacturer (White River Marine Group, one of the world’s largest boat builders), a hospitality operator (Big Cedar Lodge, Big Cypress Lodge), and a major importer and seller of firearms, ammunition, marine products, optics, and outdoor apparel. With $9 billion in annual revenue and 30,000 associates, our supply chain spans dozens of countries and touches some of the most heavily regulated product categories in international trade.
Role Summary
- Lead global trade compliance operations for a complex, multi-segment business (retail, manufacturing, hospitality) that imports and sells firearms, boats, ammunition, optics, apparel, and outdoor gear across the U.S. and Canada.
- Build and mature a trade compliance program that is still in its growth phase, establishing scalable processes, controls, and a compliance-first culture across the organization.
- Serve as the organization’s primary subject matter expert on import/export regulations, customs compliance, sanctions, and export controls, with direct accountability for CBP, BIS, OFAC, DDTC, and ATF regulatory compliance.
- Influence cross-functional partners (Merchandising, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, Manufacturing) without direct authority, translating regulatory requirements into practical, business-friendly processes that protect the company without slowing it down.
- Report to the Senior Director, Global Trade Compliance, with visibility to the General Counsel and senior leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage HTS classification, country of origin determination, customs valuation, and duty optimization for a diverse product mix that includes ITAR-controlled firearms and ammunition, ECCN-classified optics and electronics, and high-volume consumer goods.
- Oversee customs broker relationships, entry filings, and post-entry audits, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across all U.S. and Canadian ports of entry.
- Design and execute a classification governance program covering thousands of SKUs across firearms, marine, apparel, camping, and sporting goods categories.
- Identify and execute duty savings opportunities through FTA utilization, foreign trade zone analysis, duty drawback, and tariff engineering, with measurable targets.
- Administer sanctions screening (OFAC SDN, Entity List, Denied Persons) across customer transactions, vendor onboarding, and supply chain touchpoints.
- Manage export compliance for ITAR-controlled articles (firearms, defense articles) and EAR-controlled items, including license determination, record-keeping, and end-use monitoring.
- Build and maintain SOPs, audit frameworks, and written compliance procedures that eliminate reliance on institutional knowledge and can withstand regulatory scrutiny.
- Lead internal audits, focused assessments, and risk-based entry reviews; own the company’s response to CBP audits, CF-28/CF-29 requests, and any enforcement actions.
- Track duty spend, broker performance, classification accuracy, and compliance KPIs; present findings and recommendations to leadership on a regular cadence.
- Monitor regulatory changes (tariff actions, sanctions updates, ITAR/EAR amendments) and proactively advise the business on operational impact.
People Leadership & Culture Change
- Coach, develop, and hold accountable a team of trade compliance professionals; build bench strength and succession capability.
- Design and deliver trade compliance training for Merchandising, Sourcing, Supply Chain, and store-level associates so that compliance becomes embedded in daily operations rather than treated as a back-office function.
- Champion a compliance-first mindset in an organization that is evolving its approach to regulatory risk, earning credibility through practical solutions rather than enforcement alone.
- Represent the company in interactions with CBP, BIS, DDTC, OFAC, CBSA, and other regulatory agencies; manage outside counsel and trade advisory relationships.
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of progressive trade compliance experience in a retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, or distribution environment.
- Deep working knowledge of U.S. customs law (19 CFR), HTS classification, customs valuation, country of origin rules, and CBP entry procedures.
- Working knowledge of EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions regulations, and denied party screening requirements.
- Experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders, and third-party trade compliance vendors.
Required Qualifications (continued)
- Demonstrated ability to build or significantly mature a trade compliance program, not just maintain one.
- Track record of influencing cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority in organizations where compliance was not yet embedded in the culture.
- Experience leading or supporting CBP audits, focused assessments, or enforcement responses.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (J.D., M.B.A., or Master’s in International Trade) is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
- Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or Certified Customs Specialist (CCS).
- Experience with firearms, ammunition, or defense article trade compliance (ITAR/AECA/ATF regulations).
- Experience with Canadian customs (CBSA) and cross-border trade between the U.S. and Canada.
- Proficiency with global trade management systems (e.g., SAP GTS, Descartes, Integration Point) and data analytics tools.
Why Join Bass Pro Shops
- Build something, not just maintain it: this is a program-building role with a clear mandate from senior leadership and the General Counsel to strengthen compliance infrastructure across the enterprise.
- Work across one of the most complex product mixes in retail, spanning firearms, marine, apparel, and sporting goods with both import and export compliance dimensions.
- Join a company with $9 billion in revenue and 30,000 associates that is investing in its compliance capabilities and treating trade compliance as a strategic priority.
- Springfield, MO offers an affordable cost of living in the heart of the Ozarks, with year-round access to world-class outdoor recreation.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, plus annual bonus eligibility.
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and generous associate discount.
- Support for professional development including trade compliance certifications and continuing education.
- Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
Location
This position is based at Bass Pro Shops Basecamp in Springfield, MO.
To Apply
Bass Pro Shops is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Full Time Benefits Summary:
Enjoy discounts on retail merchandise, our restaurants, world-class resorts and conservation attractions!
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- Voluntary benefits
- 401k Retirement Savings
- Paid holidays
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick time
- Bass Pro Cares Fund
- And more!
Bass Pro Shops is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Reasonable Accommodations
Qualified individuals with known disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit your nearest location or contact us at hrcompliance@basspro.com.
Bass Pro Shops