Auction Operations Manager

Machine Tool Bids; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Machine Tool Bids is seeking an Auction Operations Manager in Chicago to own post-auction execution, coordinating internal teams, buyers, sellers, riggers, and accounting to ensure accurate invoices, asset lists, and timely equipment removal.

You will drive profitability and a smooth buyer experience by preventing operational surprises and aligning vendor payments with budgeted margins. This role requires strong organization and proactive problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Experience in fast-paced, self-driven environments.
• Financial accuracy and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working with vendors and customers.

Responsibilities

• Review auction contracts for accuracy and coordinate with Account Managers to verify/clarify as needed.
• Manage Accounts Receivable and Coordinate Accounts Payable.
• Ensure customer payments are collected and vendor invoices are paid.
• Protect profitability through operational accuracy and proper budgeting.
• Coordinate equipment removal including riggers, trucking, and pickups.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for auction buyers.
• Maintain accurate financial records and asset lists for each auction.

Skills

Project coordination

Vendor management

Operational planning

Financial accuracy

Communication

Multitasking

MS Office

Google Workspace

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Own the execution of every Machine Tool Bids auction post contract signature through final equipment removal by creating operational clarity, financial accuracy, and an exceptional experience for buyers, sellers, and vendors.

This role exists to ensure every auction is profitable, organized, and professionally executed while allowing the sales and auction teams to focus on winning business.

Position Summary

The Auction Operations Manager owns everything that happens operationally after an auction is secured.

You'll coordinate internal teams, buyers, sellers, riggers, trucking companies, and accounting while ensuring every detail is accurate, from invoices to asset lists to equipment removal.

Success in this position means auctions finish smoothly, customers remain happy, vendors get paid correctly, and Machine Tool Bids consistently protects and grows its profit margins.

Core Responsibilities

Auction Operations

• Review Auction Contracts for accuracy and coordinate with Account Managers to verify/clarify as needed.
• Manage Accounts Receivable
• Coordinate Accounts Payable
• Ensure customer payments are collected
• Verify vendor invoices prior to payment
• Protect company profitability through operational accuracy

Coordinate all equipment removal activities including:

• Scheduling riggers
• Coordinating trucking logistics
• Scheduling buyer pickups
• Managing facility loading schedules
• Resolving logistical conflicts
• Working directly with buyers throughout equipment removal

Buyer Experience

Serve as the primary operational contacts for auction buyers.

Responsibilities include:

• Answer inbound customer calls
• Assist with invoicing questions
• Connect buyers with financing resources
• Route technical equipment questions to the appropriate sales representative
• Resolve customer issues professionally

Build book of Vendors and develop strong working relationships with:

• Riggers
• Warehouses
• Contractors
• Service providers

What Success Looks Like

• Auctions execute without operational surprises
• Buyers consistently have a positive experience
• Vendor relationships continue to strengthen
• Financial records are accurate
• Rigging costs stay within budget
• Asset lists are error-free
• Equipment removal stays on schedule
• Internal teams trust operational information
• Problems are solved before they become crises

Ideal Candidate

You are someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity.

You naturally think several steps ahead and understand how small operational mistakes can create expensive downstream problems.

You remain calm under pressure, communicate professionally, and know how to negotiate without damaging relationships.

You enjoy solving problems and take pride in making difficult projects look easy.

Skills & Qualifications

Required

• Excellent organizational skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication
• Experience working in a fast paced and self-driven environment
• Financial accuracy and attention to detail
• Experience coordinating multiple projects simultaneously
• Comfortable working with vendors and customers
• Ability to prioritize rapidly changing workloads
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

Preferred

• Industrial machinery experience
• Auction industry experience
• Logistics or transportation coordination especially with machinery