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.

Requirements

• 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.