Senior Specialist, Trade Operations & Compliance
Moderna · Madrid - Spain ·
- Seniority
- Senior
- Experience
- 2+ years
The Role
Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases. As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives. Moderna's commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience, with the potential to make a significant impact on patients' lives worldwide.
Moderna is solidifying its footprint in Madrid, a city that thrives on creativity and innovation. As a crucial part of our commercial operations outside the United States, our Madrid office focuses on delivering our groundbreaking products to the Spanish market. We're seeking professionals who are ready to contribute to our mission and shape the future of mRNA medicines in Spain.
In this role, you will collaborate closely with Global Trade Compliance to ensure full adherence to legal requirements for international trade operations. You’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring Moderna’s import and export declarations across Spain are accurate, compliant, and optimized. From classification of goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to auditing shipment transactions, your efforts will directly support our global supply chain and logistics functions. You will be entrusted with developing standard operating procedures, maintaining compliance systems, and staying abreast of regulatory developments. Working with local teams and external partners, you’ll enable seamless, compliant trade operations that align with Moderna’s global ambitions. This is a high-visibility role offering exposure to SAP GTS, cross-functional collaboration, and the evolving regulatory frameworks that shape international pharmaceutical trade. It also represents a powerful opportunity to interface with Moderna’s growing digital and Generative AI platforms related to trade compliance data, classification, and automation.
Here’s What You’ll Do
Your key responsibilities will be:
Work as part of the Trade Compliance team with a primary focus on Spain.
Support the daily management of compliance operations across imports and exports.
Manage projects and cross-functional tasks involving internal teams and external partners/vendors.
Implement local and regional policies, guidelines, and procedures to maintain compliance.
Maintain and update procedural documentation in line with evolving regulations.
Develop standard operating procedures for internal and external stakeholders including brokers, agents, and freight forwarders.
Take ownership for the classification of goods for import/export using HTS and ECN frameworks.
Review and input compliance data within Moderna systems including SAP/GTS and SAP Fiori.
Monitor and respond to trade regulatory changes affecting operations in Spain and the broader region.
Prepare, deliver, and manage trade compliance training and continuing education activities.
Your responsibilities will also include:
Liaise with key stakeholders across the business to resolve trade compliance issues.
Perform internal audits on international trade transactions, particularly focused on Spanish activity.
Maintain accurate and complete import/export documentation and records.
Ensure trade compliance processes are robust, well-documented, and consistently executed.
Prepare reports for internal stakeholders and management regarding compliance status.
Support cross-border operations and optimize customs value declarations and country-of-origin accuracy.
Contribute to digital and AI-enhanced initiatives to automate compliance tracking, classification, and reporting.
Carry out additional duties as assigned in a dynamic, fast-paced growth environment.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
“We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.”
This mindset directly applies to this role, where you’ll operate within SAP GTS and Fiori systems and support initiatives that digitize classification, compliance checks, and record-keeping. Your ability to engage with digital trade solutions will be key to streamlining processes and enhancing data accuracy.“We obsess over learning. We don’t have to be the smartest we have to learn the fastest.”
As global trade regulations continue to evolve, continuous learning is critical. This role requires you to stay abreast of customs law, regulatory changes, and audit practices – not only in Spain but across other regions Moderna operates in. Your rapid learning and adaptation will ensure Moderna remains compliant and agile.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Business, Economics, Finance, Supply Chain Management, International Business) or equivalent experience in place of a degree
Minimum 5 year of work experience, including at least 2 years of experience in a compliance, legal, auditing or investigation role in life sciences, preferably in the biotechnology, medical device, and/or pharmaceutical industries.
Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)
Experience managing and planning import and export processes, customs documentation, shipping and receiving of commodities across multiple countries.
Knowledge of GDPR
Strong customer focus, work ethic and integrity
Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team, with a positive attitude.
Strong critical thinking with sound judgment and decision-making skills.
Must be self-directed, proactive, motivated, and a fast learner.
Able to work independently
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work confidently within groups in a multinational company and respond to global/cultural sensitivities.
Communicate effectively in English, spoken and written
Excellent time management
Knowledge is SAP GTS and SAP Fiori
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications with a focus on Excel
A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.
Pay & Benefits
At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our global benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
Best-in-class healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
A holistic approach to well-being with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
Family building benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
Savings and investments to help you plan for the future
Location-specific perks and extras
The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.
About Moderna
Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.
By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.
We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.
As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.
If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.
Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.
Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!
Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.
Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at [email protected].
-