Trade Operations Manager - Coffee (Hiring Immediately)

About Origin Commodities

Origin Commodities UK is a fast-growing physical coffee trading company headquartered in London. We source high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee from origins including Ethiopia, Brazil, Vietnam, Honduras, and Colombia, supplying leading roasters and traders across the UK and Europe. Following a transformational year with revenues exceeding $28M and volumes of 4,200+ MT, we are scaling our operations to support continued growth and expanding our European presence.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Trade Operations Manager to lead our end-to-end trade execution and logistics function. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be responsible for ensuring seamless execution of all coffee trades from contract confirmation through to delivery, managing relationships with shippers, freight forwarders, and warehouses, and coordinating closely with the trading desk and finance team. This is a critical role requiring deep expertise in physical commodity operations, international logistics, and trade documentation.

Key Responsibilities

Trade Execution & Contract Management

• Manage end-to-end execution of physical coffee trades from contract confirmation to final delivery

• Review and process sales and purchase contracts, ensuring accuracy of terms, pricing, and specifications

• Coordinate shipping instructions with origin shippers and ensure timely dispatch of goods

• Monitor and manage open positions, shipment schedules, and delivery timelines

• Resolve trade discrepancies, quality claims, and logistics issues with counterparties

Logistics & Shipping

• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, shipping lines, and logistics providers

• Coordinate container bookings, vessel scheduling, and port operations

• Track shipments in transit and proactively manage delays or disruptions

• Optimise freight costs and negotiate competitive rates with service providers

• Ensure compliance with import/export regulations, customs requirements, and EUDR

Documentation & Compliance

• Oversee preparation and verification of trade documents including bills of lading, certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, and quality certificates

• Manage letter of credit documentation and ensure compliance with LC terms

• Coordinate with banks and finance team on trade finance documentation

• Maintain accurate records in trading systems and ensure data integrity

• Ensure compliance with food safety, traceability, and sustainability certification requirements

Warehouse & Inventory Management

• Manage relationships with UK and EU warehouses, coordinating deliveries and releases

• Monitor inventory positions across locations and reconcile with finance records

• Coordinate sampling, quality inspection, and stock rotation

• Manage warehouse costs and negotiate storage terms

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop the trade operations team, ensuring high performance and continuous improvement

• Work closely with traders to support deal execution and provide operational guidance

• Coordinate with finance on invoicing, payments, and trade settlements

• Liaise with India-based shared services team on documentation and data entry support

• Build strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and service providers

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in trade operations within physical commodity trading, preferably coffee or agricultural commodities

• Strong understanding of international trade logistics, Incoterms, and shipping documentation

• Experience with trade finance instruments including letters of credit and documentary collections

• Proven track record of managing complex supply chains across multiple origins and destinations

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple shipments simultaneously

• Strong communication skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders

• Proficiency in trading systems and advanced Excel skills

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Desirable

• Experience with Ethiopian, Brazilian, or Vietnamese coffee origins

• Knowledge of coffee quality grading, cupping, and certification schemes (UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, Organic)

• Familiarity with EUDR compliance requirements

• Experience working with offshore operations or shared services teams

• Prior experience in a high-growth SME or trading house environment

Benefits

What We Offer

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