Role Overview
We’re currently looking for a Junior Operations Execution Officer who will play a vital role in our global operations function. This newly created position offers excellent hands-on experience in handling end-to-end trade execution projects, aimed at further improving our working processes. The role will work closely with the Amsterdam trading desk and global origination teams to help streamline processes and support digitalization and automation across our operations. This is a great opportunity to join the fast-paced soft commodities industry.
Business Overview
ED&F Man Cotton was established in mid-2025, driven by the 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 all major cotton-producing regions and expertise in operating sustainable containerized 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.
This position is based at our offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, reporting to our Commercial Operations Manager.
Key Accountabilities
- Build, optimize, and support digital solutions for managing the end-to-end lifecycle of physical cotton contracts, shipping instructions, and Letters of Credit, integrating workflows with internal systems and external counterparties.
- Develop and maintain interactive dashboards, KPIs, and reporting tools to accelerate document turnaround, improve visibility, and identify process improvement opportunities.
- Transform operational data insights into actionable and accurate business reports.
- Automate and validate trade documentation processes for global shipments, embedding Letters of Credit and contractual compliance checks into digital workflows to ensure accuracy, compliance, and seamless data exchange.
- Track shipments, documentation status, and inventory, proactively resolving operational issues and escalating discrepancies to senior team members.
- Streamline invoicing, payment processing, and account reconciliation through system automation, ensuring accuracy and adherence to contractual terms.
- Monitor inventory, maintaining accurate stock-in/stock-out records for shipments, deliveries, and warehouse balances.
- Drive the adoption of digital trade solutions and platforms, collaborating with IT teams to enhance system integration, data accuracy, and workflow efficiency.
Skills and Experience
- Exposure to or experience in trade operations, logistics, or related fields; internships or academic experience in commodities, trade, or supply chain (cotton preferred; metals or other soft commodities also relevant).
- Basic knowledge of international trade processes, including trade documentation, Incoterms, Letters of Credit, and logistics.
- Proficient in data analysis and reporting with applications such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Python, or other business intelligence tools.
- Analytical and detail-oriented, with the ability to work under pressure.
- Proactive, eager to learn, and a problem-solving mindset with the ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams, external customers, and service providers.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately under deadlines.
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.
