Operations Manager – Americas (Steel & Metals Trading)

Operations Manager - Americas (Steel & Metals Trading)

Location: Schaumburg Illinois (Hybrid)

Role Overview

A premier global trading and distribution leader in the international steel and metals sector is seeking an Operations Manager - Americas. This role combines hands-on trade execution with leadership of cross-border operations teams across the US and India. You will oversee end-to-end deal management optimize processes and manage key operational relationships with banks customs brokers and logistics partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Oversight: Lead mentor and supervise regional operations teams in the US and India driving operational standardization and automation.

• Hands-on Trade Execution: Personally manage trade files end-to-end including contract reviews banking workflows trade documentation and the niche desk when required.

• Trade Finance & Banking: Handle Letter of Credit (LC) issuance negotiation document presentation and direct bank escalations.

• Logistics & Inventory Management: Oversee customs clearance warehouse reconciliations aging inventory optimization and coordination with stevedores trucking companies and freight providers.

• Stakeholder & Financial Alignment: Collaborate closely with Traders IT and Finance to ensure timely vendor payments invoice authorizations and swift resolution of operational claims.

Qualifications & Experience

• Background: Proven experience in physical commodity trade operations gained within a trading house steel mill or international distribution business (direct steel/metals exposure strongly preferred).

• Hands-on Execution: Recent desk-level expertise directly executing trade files handling LCs customs and shipping documentation (not purely high-level/strategic supervision).

• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated background managing mentoring and coordinating geographically distributed multicultural operations teams.

• Education: Bachelors degree in Supply Chain International Trade Finance Business Administration or an equivalent field.

Primary Skills

• Trade Execution & Operations: End-to-end physical trade lifecycle contract administration Incoterms and claims management.

• Trade Finance: Letters of Credit (LCs) banking documentation and payment resolutions.

• Logistics & Supply Chain: Customs clearance import/export compliance stevedoring freight handling and warehouse inventory control.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Distributed team management (US/India) trader collaboration process automation and escalation handling.

Required Skills:

Trade OperationsTrade FinanceCommodities tradingLetter of CreditBill Discounting