Fertilizer Trading Operations Manager

Location: Tampa, FL (Hybrid: 4 Days In Office, 1 Day Remote)
Relocation Assistance: Available for qualified candidates

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Fertilizer Operations Manager to lead and optimize domestic fertilizer operations across logistics, inventory management, warehousing, commodity movement, and supply chain execution activities. This individual will play a critical role in ensuring the efficient movement of fertilizer products while supporting commercial and trading objectives.

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of the domestic fertilizer industry, commodity trading environments, and multimodal transportation networks. This role will oversee day-to-day operational execution, manage inventory and warehouse performance, and lead a team of 3-4 direct reports responsible for supporting logistics and operational activities.

This position is ideal for an operations leader who thrives in a fast-paced commodity environment and enjoys working at the intersection of trading, logistics, inventory management, and customer fulfillment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of domestic fertilizer operations, ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and reliable movement of product throughout the supply chain.
• Manage inbound and outbound logistics activities, coordinating product movement via barge, rail, and truck transportation.
• Oversee inventory management across warehouses, terminals, and storage facilities to ensure inventory accuracy and optimal stock positioning.
• Partner closely with commercial and commodity trading teams to facilitate execution of fertilizer purchases, sales, and product transfers.
• Monitor inventory levels and logistics performance to support customer demand while minimizing carrying and transportation costs.
• Manage warehouse and terminal operations, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with transportation providers, terminals, warehouses, suppliers, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance, increase efficiencies, and reduce overall supply chain costs.
• Track and analyze operational metrics, inventory levels, transportation performance, and service KPIs.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, transportation, and industry regulations.
• Resolve operational issues impacting customer deliveries, inventory availability, or supply chain execution.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Procurement, Trading, Finance, Customer Service, and Commercial teams to support business objectives.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 3-4 direct reports supporting logistics, inventory management, and operational execution.
• Establish performance expectations, monitor results, and provide ongoing coaching and development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate staffing needs and allocate resources effectively to ensure operational success.
• Drive employee engagement and support professional growth within the operations team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Agribusiness, Business, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in fertilizer, agricultural commodities, bulk materials, or related commodity operations.
• 2+ years of leadership experience managing direct reports.
• Strong understanding of domestic fertilizer operations and distribution networks.
• Experience operating within a commodity trading environment, preferably involving fertilizers, crop nutrients, agricultural products, or bulk commodities.
• Proven background managing inventory, warehousing, and product movement activities.
• Strong knowledgeofmultimodal transportation, including:
  • Barge Transportation
  • Rail Transportation
  • Truck Transportation
• Experience coordinating complex product flows across multiple facilities and distribution points.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, inventory management platforms, and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within fertilizer manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, retail agriculture, crop nutrients, grain, or other commodity-based industries.
• Knowledge of fertilizer markets, supply chains, storage requirements, and distribution channels.
• Experience managing third-party warehouses, terminals, and transportation providers.
• Understanding of commodity risk management and trade execution processes.
• Continuous improvement experience focused on logistics optimization, inventory reduction, and operational efficiency.