Senior Grains Trade Operator

Ampersand World SA; Lausanne; Vor Ort; CHF 110.000 - 160.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Ampersand World SA in Lausanne seeks a Grains Operator to manage the full 360° execution of physical grain trading from contract finalisation through shipment and final settlement.

You will act as a senior operational reference for traders, importers and banks, coordinating contracts, documentation and logistics to ensure compliant, timely execution. The role demands GAFTA knowledge, strong numerical skills and a hands‑on, end‑to‑end mindset.

Qualifikationen

• 7-10+ years of experience in grain trading operations or related roles.
• Strong knowledge of GAFTA contracts and international trade practices.
• Experience handling import/export operations, documentation and settlement.
• Strong numerical and analytical abilities and high attention to detail.
• Fluent in English and French; additional languages a plus.

Aufgaben

• Manage the 360° execution of physical grain trading from contract finalisation to shipment and settlement.
• Act as operational counterpart for traders, importers, exporters, charterers, banks and insurers.
• Draft, review and manage purchase and sales contracts with GAFTA compliance.
• Coordinate import/export operations, documentation, customs and shipping requirements.
• Oversee invoicing, provisions, cost allocation, reconciliation and follow-up with counterparties.
• Monitor shipments with charterers, shipowners, freight forwarders and inspectors.
• Ensure accurate updates of contracts, invoices, stock positions and shipment data.
• Coordinate payments, letters of credit and trade finance needs with banks and insurers.
• Identify operational, contractual and financial risks and implement timely mitigations.

Kenntnisse

Operational risk management

Contract execution

Stakeholder coordination

GAFTA contracts

Trade finance instruments

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Fluent in English and French

Ausbildung

Degree in International Trade / Business / Logistics

Jobbeschreibung

For one of our clients, an international trading company based in Lausanne area, we are seeking a Grains Operator to strengthen their team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced operations professional to take part of a complex grains trading activity and contribute to the smooth execution of international contracts. The role requires strong expertise in operational risk management, contract execution, and stakeholder coordination across the full supply chain.

Your mission

• Manage the full 360° execution of physical grain trading activities, from contract finalisation through to shipment, delivery and financial settlement.
• Act as a key operational counterpart for traders, importers, exporters, charterers, shipping companies, banks, insurers, inspection companies and other external partners.
• Take ownership of the end-to-end execution process, including purchase and sales contracts, nominations, shipment coordination, import/export formalities, documentation and final settlement.
• Draft, review and manage purchase and sales contracts, ensuring compliance with agreed commercial terms, GAFTA rules, quality specifications and applicable legal requirements.
• Coordinate and monitor import and export operations, ensuring that all documentation, customs, regulatory and shipping requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Manage the full invoice and freight process, including freight invoices, provisions, cost allocation, reconciliation and follow-up with counterparties and service providers.
• Take responsibility for the finalisation of trading accounts, ensuring that all costs, revenues, invoices, claims and outstanding items are properly reconciled and closed.
• Monitor the execution of shipments in close coordination with charterers, shipowners, freight forwarders, terminals and inspection companies, proactively identifying and resolving operational issues.
• Manage contract and operational data within internal systems, ensuring accurate and timely updates of contracts, invoices, provisions, stock positions and shipment information.
• Coordinate payment processes, letters of credit, credit insurance and other trade finance requirements, working closely with banks, insurers and counterparties.
• Monitor stock and physical positions at ports, silos and storage facilities, ensuring consistency between contractual, operational and financial positions.
• Prepare and ensure the timely submission of banking, insurance, regulatory, customs and export documentation.
• Support traders on a daily basis by providing operational, contractual and execution expertise and acting as a senior point of reference throughout the trading cycle.
• Identify potential operational, contractual and financial risks and proactively implement solutions to ensure smooth and profitable execution.

Your profile

• 7-10+ years of experience in grain trading operations, commodity trading operations, execution or a similar role within the physical commodities environment.
• Strong understanding of the entire physical grain trading cycle, ideally with experience covering both import and export activities.
• Proven ability to work across the full spectrum of operations, execution, contracts, documentation, freight, invoicing and final account settlement.
• Solid knowledge of GAFTA contracts, international commodity trade practices and trade finance instruments.
• Experience working directly with traders, importers, exporters, charterers, shipping companies, banks, insurers and inspection companies.
• Strong understanding of freight, shipping documentation, export/import procedures and commodity logistics.
• A genuinely 360° and hands-on mindset, with the ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously and take ownership from contract inception through to final settlement.
• Seniority and maturity to act independently, anticipate issues and make decisions without constant supervision.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy when handling contracts, invoices, freight costs and financial reconciliations.
• Fluent in English and French; additional languages are an asset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to interact with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Degree in International Trade, Business, Logistics, Finance or a related field.

Ampersand World – Connecting experts in trading, logistics

Important Note: We take great care in reviewing every application and, on average, respond within three weeks. However, if your background does not fully match the experience required or if you are transitioning into a new field, please note that due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to respond individually.