The Role
We are looking for a Middle Office Manager to focus on overseeing and managing operational and control processes to support the cocoa trade. The individual will be a key link between traders, customers, suppliers, finance and trade support functions. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of commercial transactions, reporting, risk management and timely execution of all post-trade activities.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintain full administrative ownership and control of all cocoa trading contracts from execution through completion.
Ensure trader's accurate contract entry, amendments, confirmations, and documentation.
Monitor contractual obligations and ensure compliance with agreed commercial terms.
Coordinate closely with traders, operations, logistics, finance, and counterparties
Monitor customer receivables and payment performance.
Follow up on overdue accounts and coordinate collection efforts with finance and commercial teams.
Escalate to the trader payment risks and disputes in a timely manner.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting of physical and financial cocoa positions.
Reconcile trading positions across systems and identify discrepancies.
Compile the daily, weekly, and monthly exposure reports for management.
Support risk monitoring and ensure adherence to internal reporting standards.
Oversee FX exposure reporting related to cocoa trading activities.
Support traders and management with relevant analytical reporting and performance metrics.
Ensure consistency and accuracy of valuation methodologies and reporting inputs.
Coordinate and manage all administrative requirements requested by suppliers and customers.
Ensure timely provision of contractual, compliance, shipping, invoicing, and settlement documentation.
Act as a central point of coordination for operational matters involving external counterparties.
Establish and maintain robust middle-office controls and procedures.
Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and audit standards.
Identify operational risks and implement appropriate mitigating controls.
Skills & Experience
We are looking for a candidate with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience within a commodity environment or similar. The successful candidate will have proficiency with trading, ERP and reporting systems with risk awareness and excellent attention to detail. Strong communication and organisation skills are a must in the role, and Excel skills are essential.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong operational and financial control. They will take ownership of their responsibilities, be accountable for delivering results, and possess a continuous process improvement mindset, proactively identify opportunities to enhance efficiency and value across the business. A strong understanding of, or proven experience working in a Trade Desk environment.
Middle Office Manager in London employer: ECOM Europe
Mercanta is an exceptional employer that prioritises quality, traceability, and strong relationships within the specialty coffee industry. Located in Kingston Upon Thames, our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, offering employees opportunities for professional growth through diverse marketing initiatives and impactful projects. We are committed to inclusivity and diversity, ensuring a supportive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to our mission of delivering outstanding coffees globally.
