Operations Lead – Steel Trading | Schaumburg, IL, USA
Role: Operations Lead – Assigned Product
Location: Schaumburg, IL, USA
Industry: Steel Trading / Metals
Department: Operations
Job Summary:
Responsible for managing operational processes for assigned steel trading products and overseeing US operations across the Schaumburg and Mumbai teams. The role involves hands-on trade execution, contract administration, trade finance, logistics, compliance and team management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage Letters of Credit, including opening, vetting against sales/purchase contracts, discrepancy resolution and bank coordination.
- Manage customer credit and follow up on customer payments.
- Ensure timely customs declarations and clearance.
- Supervise the assigned operations team across all aspects of trade execution.
- Review sales contracts and purchase orders, including Incoterms and transaction costs.
- Ensure preparation of commercial invoices, bills of lading, packing lists, insurance certificates, certificates of origin and LC documentation.
- Coordinate payments for steel purchases, freight and service providers with Finance & Accounts.
- Improve operational procedures and documentation processes.
- Identify and escalate contractual/commercial risks.
- Work with IT to improve operational systems including NAVISION/D365.
- Manage team members and relationships with commercial teams, vendors and suppliers.
- Monitor warehouse reports, ageing inventory and system stock reconciliation.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, related field or equivalent.
- Strong experience in steel trading, steel mills operations or commodities preferred.
- Hands-on knowledge of international trade operations, logistics, trade finance and Letters of Credit.
- Strong understanding of Incoterms.
- Team management and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong communication, coordination and problem-solving abilities.
- Advanced Excel and ERP knowledge.
- Spanish language skills would be an advantage.