Operations Manager – Americas | Schaumburg, IL, USA

Key Responsibilities:

• Personally manage the Niche desk and step into team members’ deal-execution responsibilities when required.
  
• Own individual trade files end-to-end, including contract review, LC/banking coordination, customs and regulatory filings, and logistics.
  
• Manage, mentor and supervise the US and India-US operations team.
  
• Design, improve and standardize operational procedures and documentation.
  
• Build strong relationships with commercial teams, customers and suppliers.
  
• Train and support operations staff in coordinating with warehouses, stevedores, trucking companies and logistics providers.
  
• Monitor warehouse reports, ageing inventory and system reconciliation.
  
• Act as escalation point for complex transactions involving banks, customs brokers and vendors.
  
• Resolve payment and operational issues relating to steel purchases, freight and service providers.
  
• Coordinate with Finance & Accounts on vendor invoice authorization and payments.
  
• Work with IT to improve operational systems and manage claims.
  
• Work closely with Traders and other regions/departments.
  

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, International Trade, related field or equivalent.
  
• Strong supervisory/team management experience.
  
• Recent, hands-on experience in international trade operations, banking/LC and customs/regulatory requirements.
  
• Genuine willingness to remain hands-on rather than purely delegate.
  
• Strong customer-service, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
  
• Strong business/trade understanding with good decision-making and problem-solving ability.
  
• Steel trading, steel mill operations or broader commodities experience preferred.