Direct Import Implementation Consultant

POSITION SUMMARYRelatable is building a direct import (DI) capability to support its retail and club business and is engaging a consultant for a 12-month term to design, implement, and operationalize that capability end to end. The consultant will own DI procedures and execution across Relatable’s major retail accounts, including Target, Walmart, Costco, Dollar General, Aldi, Sam’s Club and more, and will build the retailer system setup, documentation standards, and critical path discipline required to move DI purchase orders from factory to retailer distribution centers without exception.A core requirement of this engagement is knowledge transfer. The consultant will train Relatable’s Hong Kong team to execute DI independently by the end of the contract term, leaving behind documented procedures, retailer-specific playbooks, and demonstrated competency across the team. This is a hands-on execution role, not an advisory role. The consultant is expected to run live DI programs in partnership and support from the Hong Kong team while building the capability that replaces the engagement.ENGAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND DELIVERABLESThe engagement is structured in five phases with defined deliverables. Contract continuation is tied to deliverable completion at each phase gate.Phase 1 | Days 1–60: AssessCurrent-state assessment of DI order flow, retailer-specific requirements, and system/process gaps. Deliverables: documented gap analysis, prioritized remediation plan, risk register.Phase 2 | Days 61–150: BuildApproved end-to-end DI SOPs, critical path calendar, RACI across NY, Hong Kong, and factory partners, document packet templates, retailer-specific execution checklists.Phase 3 | Days 151–240: LaunchLive execution with at least two retailers (including one Club account). System setup complete in each retailer portal. Landed cost and margin model in use for quoting.Phase 4 | Days 241–330: ScaleExpansion to remaining accounts. Hong Kong team executing independently under supervision. Exception handling and issue escalation protocols in place.Phase 5 | Days 331–365: TransferFull knowledge transfer — training materials, recorded sessions, SOP library handed to Relatable, competency sign-off per team member, and a 90-day post-engagement continuity plan.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESDirect Import Procedures and Process DesignBuild and document the end-to-end DI process from item intake through retailer purchase order receipt through factory booking, vessel departure, customs clearance, and retailer DC receipt.Establish the DI critical path calendar, including PO issuance dates, production lead times, audits and testing, cargo ready dates, booking cutoffs, ship windows, and cancel dates for each account.Define Incoterms strategy by account and program, including FOB origin, FCA, DDP, and LDP structures, and document the cost and risk implications of each.Set payment term and instrument procedures across letters of credit, telegraphic transfer, and open account, in partnership with Finance.Establish document control standards for commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and test reports, with version control and audit trail.Create exception handling, escalation, and root cause protocols for late production, short ships, booking rollovers, port delays, and customs holds.Retailer Systems and ExecutionOwn DI item setup, program setup, and order management within each retailer system, including Walmart (and Sams Club) Retail Link and Supplier One, Target Partners Online, the Costco BPMS supplier portal, and other retailer systems.Manage retailer EDI transaction sets required for DI execution, including 850, 860, 856 ASN, 810, 753 and 754 routing, and 214 status, in coordination with Relatable’s EDI provider and IT.Interpret and operationalize each retailer’s direct import supplier requirements, routing guides, packaging and labeling standards, GS1 and GDSN item data requirements, and compliance manuals.Manage retailer nominated forwarders and consolidators, including booking windows, CY and CFS handling, container utilization targets, and origin cargo receipt requirements.Prevent and dispute retailer chargebacks and compliance deductions tied to DI execution, including OTIF, ASN accuracy, label, and routing violations.Serve as the DI point of contact for retailer replenishment, import, and supply chain contacts during the engagement, transitioning those relationships to Relatable staff before contract end.Club and Specials ChannelBuild the DI execution model for the Club channel, accounting for pallet and display program requirements, multi-pack and specials item construction, single ship windows, and firm cancel dates.Partner with Sales and Product Development on Club and specials item feasibility, factory capacity, MOQ alignment, and cost targets during the quoting stage rather than after award.Establish the readiness checklist and gate review for Club roadshows and seasonal programs, including sample approvals, test reports, and packaging sign-off dates.Coordinate club-specific audit and compliance requirements, including supplier and factory audits, with the Hong Kong team and factory partners.Trade Compliance and RiskImplement Importer Security Filing, ISF timing controls, and customs documentation review to prevent penalties and cargo holds.Document product safety and regulatory requirements applicable to DI shipments, including CPSC and CPSIA testing, general certificates of conformity, and children’s product certificates where applicable.Build the supply chain due diligence file supporting forced labor and UFLPA compliance, including traceability documentation expectations from factory partners.Maintain an engagement risk register covering compliance, cost, and delivery exposure, reviewed monthly with Global Operations and Finance leadership.Hong Kong Team Training and Knowledge TransferAssess the current capability of the Hong Kong team against the DI execution model and build an individualized training plan for each team member.Deliver structured training across DI procedures, retailer systems, documentation, compliance, and exception handling, using live orders as training vehicles.Build a durable SOP and training library, including written procedures, screen-level system guides, checklists, templates, and recorded sessions in English, with Cantonese or Mandarin support as needed.Move the Hong Kong team from observation to supervised execution to independent execution on a documented timeline, with competency sign-off at each stage.Establish the working cadence, handoff protocol, and RACI between the New York and Hong Kong teams that accounts for the time zone difference.Identify capability gaps that require permanent headcount or vendor support after the engagement ends and document a recommendation for Relatable leadership.Cross-Functional PartnershipPartner with Finance on payment instruments, cash flow timing, revenue recognition implications of DI terms, and landed cost accuracy.Partner with Product Development and Packaging on DI-specific artwork, labeling, and testing requirements by retailer.Report engagement status, phase deliverable progress, and risk to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer on a defined cadence.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS8+ years of direct import and global trade operations experience with US mass, drug and club retailers, including hands-on ownership of DI programs from PO to DC receipt.Demonstrated DI execution experience with at least three of the following accounts: Walmart, Target, Costco, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Sam’s Club.Working proficiency in retailer supplier systems and portals, including Retail Link or Supplier One, Partners Online, and club supplier portals.Practical command of EDI transaction sets used in DI execution and experience resolving EDI and ASN failures with retailer and provider support teams.Demonstrated knowledge of US customs and trade compliance, including HTS classification, country of origin, ISF, duty and tariff exposure, and customs documentation.Experience managing Asia-based factories and freight forwarders, including nominated forwarder programs and container optimization.Track record of writing SOPs and training operating teams, with evidence that the trained team sustained the process after the trainer left.Ability to work across the New York and Hong Kong time zones and travel to Hong Kong as required.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSConsumer products, toy, game, or licensed goods experience.Experience building a DI capability from the ground up at a company that previously sold on a domestic or FOB-only basis.Licensed customs broker, Certified Customs Specialist, or Certified Export Specialist credential.Cantonese or Mandarin language ability.Experience with ERP and PLM systems used for import order and item management.Prior experience operating as an embedded consultant with defined phase gates and knowledge transfer obligations.The Legal bitsThe expected compensation range for this 12-month contract role is $165K to $185K base ($79 to $89/hr). This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s pay position within the wage range will be based on several factors including, but limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. This compensation range may also be modified in the future.