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

Competitive salary and performance-linked bonus.
The opportunity to work across both a trading desk and a physical processing business.
Exposure to international commodity markets and cross-border operations.
A dynamic and entrepreneurial environment in the heart of Vienna.

Torq Commodities

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