Trading & Operations Team Lead
We are building a B2B trading business that develops and sources products through a network of manufacturing partners and reaches buyers through digital commerce channels. Our work combines product development, contract manufacturing, commercial negotiation, and order execution.
We are looking for a Trading & Operations Team Lead to help build both the business and its working environment. You will play a central role in shaping a collaborative, accountable team, establishing clear processes, and helping people develop and deliver strong results.
Role Overview
You will lead the company's day-to-day trading and operational activities, managing Category Managers, a Content Specialist, and a Fulfillment Specialist. You will take responsibility for commercial performance, supplier development, product readiness, pricing, and reliable order execution, working within approved budgets and delegated authority.
Job Responsibilities
- Translate business objectives into category plans, product priorities, sales targets, and operating plans.
- Recruit, coach, and manage the team, assign responsibilities, review performance, and support complex negotiations and operational issues.
- Oversee factory sourcing and qualification, assess capabilities and capacity, negotiate terms, and develop reliable alternative suppliers.
- Review proposed products, designs, technical specifications, samples, and manufacturing feasibility before listing or production.
- Review cost models and approve prices, discounts, quotations, and customer orders within delegated authority, protecting contribution margins.
- Support B2B buyer negotiations and ensure delivery commitments, payment terms, and contractual requirements are commercially and operationally achievable.
- Oversee product listings and approved updates to prices, specifications, and images, ensuring accurate and consistent information.
- Monitor production, quality checkpoints, corrective actions, and delivery handovers through the fulfillment team and qualified technical specialists.
- Coordinate with Finance on order funding, payment schedules, and financial exposure before committing to production.
- Establish operating procedures and approval controls, track profitability and execution KPIs, and report results, risks, and improvement plans to senior management.
- More than 5 years of relevant experience in trading, sourcing, contract manufacturing, or commercial operations, with direct hands-on experience in at least two of the ten sectors listed below.
- Proven experience directly managing a team, setting targets, coaching employees, and taking responsibility for commercial and operational results.
- Practical experience working with factories, including supplier assessment, negotiations, samples, production follow-up, and quality or delivery issue resolution.
- Experience managing customer orders across commercial approval, manufacturing, and delivery, with clear ownership of outcomes.
Relevant Product Sectors
- Textiles & Ready-Made Garments
- Footwear & Bags
- Detergents & Cleaning Products
- Chemicals & Plastics
- Food Products
- Furniture Manufacturing
- Agricultural Produce
- Household Goods
- Leather & Leather Products
- Packaging
Technical & Leadership Competencies
- Ability to build and review product cost models, selling prices, contribution margins, and order-level working capital requirements.
- Ability to assess specifications, materials, samples, manufacturing constraints, and quality acceptance criteria, and involve specialists when needed.
- Strong supplier and buyer negotiation skills, with sound judgment on pricing, payment terms, production capacity, and delivery commitments.
- Proficiency in Excel for costing and analysis, and familiarity with ERP, CRM, order tracking, or marketplace seller systems.
- Ability to build practical processes, approval workflows, performance dashboards, and reliable records in a developing business.
- Strong communication, prioritization, problem-solving, integrity, and accountability, with professional English for business correspondence and technical documents.
Preferred Qualifications
- A relevant university degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- Experience with B2B e-commerce, export-oriented orders, or building a trading team is an advantage.