Operations Manager – Americas | Schaumburg, IL, USA
Role: Operations Manager – Americas
Location: Schaumburg, IL, USA
Industry: Steel Trading / Metals
Department: Operations
Job Summary:
Responsible for the operational performance of the Americas operations team, with Operations Leads in Schaumburg and/or Mumbai reporting into the role. This is a hands-on position requiring the incumbent to personally execute individual steel trade deals end-to-end, alongside leading the team.
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.
Reports to: Head of Operations – Functional
Team: Operations – US
Industry Preference: Trading House – Steel/Metals