Trade Execution Manager - Danube

Summary

The Trade Execution Manager – Danube is responsible for managing the end-to-end execution and contract administration of grain and bulk commodity contracts across the Danube region. This role ensures the efficient and compliant execution of commercial transactions from contract creation and administration through delivery, settlement, and final closeout. The position is accountable for accurate contract documentation, timely execution, cost control, risk management, claims, and coordination between Commercial, Logistics, Finance, Risk Management, suppliers, customers, and service providers.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized trade execution and contract administration professional who thrives in a fast-paced commodity trading environment. They demonstrate strong attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, sound commercial awareness, and the ability to build effective partnerships across diverse stakeholders and geographies. 

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Trade Execution and Contract Administration activities supporting the Danube region, ensuring compliant, accurate, and efficient execution of commercial contracts.
• Own the end-to-end contract administration process, from contract creation and confirmation through amendments, execution, settlement, reconciliation, and final closeout.
• Ensure commercial contracts are accurately captured in ERP and other systems, including pricing, quantities, quality specifications, delivery terms, Incoterms, payment terms, freight terms, and other key contractual conditions.
• Review contracts and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with agreed commercial terms, company policies, and applicable regulations. 
• Coordinate contract confirmations, amendments, extensions, nominations, delivery instructions, and other required contractual notices with Commercial and counterparties.
• Maintain accurate contract records and ensure timely filing and retention of contractual documentation, correspondence, certificates, quality documents, shipping documents, and settlement records. 
• Monitor contractual obligations, milestones, shipment and delivery schedules, tolerances, quality requirements, and other key execution dates to proactively identify and address deviations. 
• Lead coordination of end-to-end execution activities with Commercial, Logistics, Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Operations, suppliers, customers, inspection companies, carriers, and other service providers.
• Establish and monitor execution processes to ensure timely notifications, nominations, delivery instructions, documentation, invoicing, settlements, risk transfer, and contract closeout.
• Monitor contract performance and identify execution risks, contractual deviations, operational issues, and financial exposure; escalate and resolve issues proactively.
• Support the management and resolution of contractual disputes, claims, quality issues, demurrage, shortages, penalties, and other execution-related matters.
• Partner with Finance and Accounting to ensure accurate invoicing, accruals, settlements, receivables, payables, and resolution of discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable trade terms, Incoterms, GAFTA, FOSFA, company policies, sanctions requirements, and other relevant contractual and regulatory requirements. 
• Develop and maintain standardized contract administration and trade execution processes across the Danube region, identifying opportunities to improve consistency, controls, visibility, and efficiency.
• Develop reporting and performance metrics that provide visibility to contract status, execution performance, open items, claims, costs, and financial exposure. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, counterparties, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective execution and resolution of issues. 
• Provide leadership and guidance to the team, developing capabilities and establishing clear accountability for contract administration and execution activities.
• Drive a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement, risk awareness, and cross-functional collaboration across the execution function. 
• Partner closely with Commercial, Finance, Accounting, Logistics, Risk Management, and IT to continuously improve the end-to-end trade execution and contract administration process.

Minimum Qualifications (required)

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Agriculture, Engineering or a related field. 
• 4+ years of experience in trade execution, supply chain, within commodity trading company
• Prior leadership experience with progressively advancing level of leadership responsibilities
• Fluency in Romanian and English 

Additional Qualifications

• Strong Excel skills and proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under deadlines. 
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills. 
• Experience in grains, oilseeds, bulk commodities, agribusiness, shipping or related industries.
• Knowledge of Incoterms, GAFTA and FOSFA contracts. 
• Understanding of grain quality management and inspection processes.
• Basic accounting and financial reporting knowledge. 
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably JDE (JD Edwards).