Role Overview

This is a unique opportunity to join ED&F Man Commodities newly established cotton trading business unit as Head of Operations to build an efficient operations and trade execution function. Through effective commercial partnership with the front office In Amsterdam and global origination teams you will create scalable operational systems and process, as well as building a high-performing team that will form an integral part of supporting the seamless, compliant, and cost-effective movement of cotton.

Business Overview

ED&F Man Cotton was established in mid-2025, driven by an ambition to become a leading trader of raw cotton, serving customers around the world. The breadth of ED&F Man Commodities existing operations provides ED&F Man Cotton with offices in major cotton producing regions and expertise in operating sustainable containerised supply chains, underpinned by robust risk management procedures.

We are part of ED&F Man Commodities, a world leading trader of agricultural products including coffee, sugar, cotton, molasses and animal feed.

Key Accountabilities

Trade Execution, Operational Risk and Documentation

• Oversee the full lifecycle of trade execution, including contract fulfilment, documentation and delivery tracking.
• Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., contract issuance, trade finance) to ensure smooth contract execution.
• Negotiate and settle final freight payments.
• Maintain contractual records, key correspondence, status, and issue reports.
• Identify operational risks in real-time and proactively implement mitigation plans.
• Ensure appropriate, auditable standards, controls, and governance frameworks are in place, ensuring contracts are legally and ethically compliant.

Leadership and Global Coordination

• Coordinate with the global ED&F Man logistics and execution teams across all commodity trading desks to ensure alignment on freight and third-party providers.
• Review organizational design and talent needs to ensure the team is fit-for-purpose and future-ready as the business grows.

Digitalisation and continuous Improvement

• Lead digitalization of the supply chain operations and logistics workflows, including system integration, automation and performance visibility.
• Design and implement data-driven dashboards and KPIs to monitor trade efficiency and minimize documentation turnaround time, discrepancies, document issuance time and working capital usage across all geographies.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across documentation, workflows and interdepartmental coordination.

Skills and Experience

• Substantial global logistics management, trade execution or trade operations experience from agricultural soft commodity trading, preferably cotton, although metal trading is also relevant.
• Ability to work on own initiative, self-motivate and lead in high-pressure, time-sensitive trading environments.
• Knowledge and experience of contract management within trading, reimbursements and documentary, letters of credit.
• Deep knowledge of international trade documentation, Incoterms, and port/inland logistics.
• Strategic mindset with a hands-on and problem-solving approach.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to collaborate, manage and constructively engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders across diverse cultures and regions.
• High level of commercial acumen, strong analytical skills, and keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Excel, trade execution platforms, and supply chain management systems. ITAS experience is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with cotton-specific trade execution challenges highly advantageous.

We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Our Offer

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

Our Values

Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship

Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities. Our values are underpinned by a set of essential behaviours, which form part of our performance management approach. Delivering on our objectives is very much about ‘what’ we do, but these essential behaviours also provide a guide and measure for ‘how’ we do things. Our performance essentials are Take Initiative, Self‐Management, Deliver Results and Collaboration.

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focussed on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

To apply you must have the right to work for the provided location.