ED&F Man Cotton | Trading Operations & Supply Chain Lead | Houston TX USA

ED&F Man Cotton | Trading Operations & Supply Chain Lead | Houston TX USA

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13/08/26 Houston, Texas, USA

Role Overview

We have an opportunity for someone to join us as a Trade Operations & Supply Chain Lead to coordinate the execution of physical commodity contracts and the related logistics, inventory and supply chain activities. This position serves as a key operational link between trading, operations, documentation, finance, accounting, warehouses, transportation providers and other external partners. With no direct reports, they will be a day-to-day contact and operational lead for the team to coordinate priorities, support colleagues, resolve execution issues and promote consistent processes. Also identifying opportunities to improve the operation through automation, artificial intelligence, system enhancements and better use of data. The successful candidate will combine hands-on execution with the curiosity and initiative to develop more efficient ways of working.

Position Title: Trade Operations & Supply Chain Lead

Division: Cotton

Position Type: Full-time

Schedule: Office based

Business Overview

ED&F Man Cotton driven by an ambition to become a leading trader of raw cotton, serving customers around the world. The breadth of ED&F Man Commodities existing operations provides ED&F Man Cotton with offices in major cotton producing regions and expertise in operating sustainable containerised supply chains, underpinned by robust risk management procedures.

ED&F Man is owned by Hartree Partners, LP a leading global merchant commodities firm facilitating the flow of energy, metals, agriculture, and environmental products across the full commodity supply chain, connecting producers and consumers. Hartree was founded in 1997, is jointly owned by senior management and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP, and employs around 5,000 individuals worldwide.

Key Accountabilities

Trade Execution

• Coordinate the execution of physical commodity purchase and sales contracts from contract handoff through delivery and final settlement.
• Review contract quantities, shipment periods, delivery terms, customer requirements and other execution instructions.
• Maintain accurate and timely contract, shipment, inventory and logistics information within the company's ERP and supporting systems.
• Coordinate with traders and commercial teams regarding inventory availability, shipment planning, customer requirements and execution priorities.
• Assist with resolving contract, weight, quality, inventory, invoicing and settlement discrepancies.

Logistics and Supply Chain Coordination

• Coordinate domestic transportation, drayage, warehouse activity, container movements and ocean shipments.
• Develop shipment plans that align contract requirements, inventory availability, warehouse capabilities, transportation capacity and customer delivery expectations.
• Coordinate with warehouses, freight brokers, carriers, ocean carriers, customers and other service providers.
• Monitor pickup appointments, loading activity, deliveries and key shipment milestones.
• Support carrier selection, routing decisions, rate analysis and transportation planning.
• Review freight, warehouse and accessorial charges for accuracy.
• Investigate unsupported, unusual or avoidable supply chain costs.
• Monitor carrier and service-provider performance and help resolve recurring service issues.

Inventory and Warehouse Management

• Maintain visibility of physical inventory across warehouses and transportation stages.
• Review inventory movements and system transactions for accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinate corrective action with warehouses and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor inventory ageing, warehouse dwell time and other factors that may create additional cost or execution risk.
• Support inventory reconciliations and ensure system records accurately reflect physical movements.
• Coordinate inventory priorities with Trading and Operations based on commercial and contractual requirements.

Operational Leadership

• Help coordinate priorities during periods of high shipment volume, changing commercial requirements or employee absence.
• Provide practical support to colleagues when resolving complex contracts, shipment exceptions or system issues.
• Support the onboarding and training of new team members.
• Serve as a backup resource to the Head of Trade Operations and Supply Chain.
• Take ownership of operational issues and help drive them through resolution.
• Lead through knowledge, reliability and collaboration rather than formal supervisory authority.

Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Process Improvement

• Identify repetitive, manual or inefficient activities that may be improved through automation, artificial intelligence or system enhancements.
• Work with internal technology teams and external vendors to translate operational requirements into practical system solutions.
• Participate in the design, testing and implementation of new workflows, integrations and system functionality.
• Develop simple automation tools, reports, templates or workflows where appropriate.
• Use operational data to identify recurring issues, cost-saving opportunities and areas for improved visibility.
• Help reduce duplicate data entry and improve the flow of information between systems.
• Encourage the team to adopt new tools and processes that provide a clear operational benefit.
• Measure whether implemented improvements are delivering the intended results.

Systems and Data

• Serve as a knowledgeable user of the company's ERP, transportation management, shipment tracking, inventory and documentation systems.
• Maintain strong data quality across contract, shipment, inventory and logistics records.
• Identify system failures, data inconsistencies and process gaps.
• Work with internal stakeholders to improve visibility across trade execution and the supply chain.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Trading to align operational execution with commercial priorities.
• Coordinate with Documentation teams to ensure shipment instructions and required documents are completed accurately and on time.
• Work with Finance, Accounting and Treasury to resolve freight invoices, warehouse charges, contract settlements and other execution-related financial issues.
• Support Compliance and Sustainability requirements when transactions or service providers require additional documentation or review.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders at different levels of the organization.

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate will be an emerging trade operations or supply chain professional who has developed a solid understanding of physical execution and logistics but remains curious, adaptable and willing to learn. We require someone comfortable taking ownership of work without requiring constant direction, as well as understanding when to ask questions, when to involve others and when an issue requires escalation. The successful candidate will bring confidence without ego. They will listen and learn the business before proposing major changes, while still demonstrating the initiative to challenge inefficient processes and develop better solutions. They should be equally comfortable working independently, collaborating with a team and coordinating with external partners.

• Approximately 2-5 years' experience in trade operations, supply chain management, commodity execution combined with experience of logistics and transportation.
• Experience within physical commodities, agriculture, cotton or another contract-based trading environment.
• Understanding of how commercial contracts, inventory, transportation and financial settlement are connected.
• Experience coordinating shipments, inventory movements, warehouses, carriers or other service providers.
• Exposure to domestic transportation, warehousing, drayage or international ocean freight.
• Experience using ERP, transportation management, shipment tracking or inventory systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills essential.
• Exposure to data analysis, workflow automation, AI tools, Power Query, Power Automate, reporting tools or similar technology is beneficial.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Business, International Trade, Data Analytics or a related field preferred, however relevant work experience and a record of taking ownership strongly considered.

We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don't meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Our Offer

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

Our Values

Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship

Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities. Our values are underpinned by a set of essential behaviours, which form part of our performance management approach. Delivering on our objectives is very much about 'what' we do, but these essential behaviours also provide a guide and measure for 'how' we do things. Our performance essentials are Take Initiative, Self‐Management, Deliver Results and Collaboration.

Our Commitment

We are committed to maintaining a work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

To apply you must have the right to work for the provided location.

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