Commercial Operations Manager

Aurubis - metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi‑metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal‑bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity. These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e‑mobility, and urbanization. Aurubis has about 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system.

Join our team and promote progress together with us!

The Commercial Operations Manager plays a key role in establishing and leading the Customer Service and Supplier Management function at Aurubis Richmond. This position is responsible for building a high‑performing team, implementing efficient processes, and ensuring a strong customer and supplier‑oriented service culture. The role oversees all raw material and product contract administration, ensures risk mitigation within the commercial portfolio, and maintains close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders including the Commercial Recycling Raw Material (RRM) team, local Supply Chain Management, and Finance.

In the plant’s start‑up phase the Commercial Operations Manager will be instrumental in developing and documenting processes, integrating the Customer Service Management system, and driving the implementation of S4/HANA. The role will also serve as the primary contact during the Hyper Care phase, ensuring seamless system performance and process reliability. Close coordination with other Recycling Plant Team Leads across the Aurubis Smelter Network will be essential to align best practices and deliver top‑quality service to suppliers and customers alike.

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field preferred
• 5+ years of professional experience in Customer Service, preferably in the metals industry
• Experience leading a team of Customer Service Associates
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Fluent in English and general business terminology
• Experience with change management processes
• May be required to observe and walk in a smelter environment
• Must be willing and physically able to work in varying cold and heat situations
• Could have times that are prolonged periods of walking, standing, bending, or sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
• Ability to travel throughout the facility as required to conduct audits and make observations
• Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas
• Required to reach and grasp with hands and reach with arms
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally if requested

• Lead the local team towards efficient and customer/supplier‑oriented service
• Administrate all raw material/product contracts to the respective site
• Accountable for risk‑mitigating actions in the Customer Service and Commercial Portfolio
• Build up and lead the CS team
• Implement CS processes and define the local interfaces with the RRM team and site interfaces such as local SCM
• High focus on Customer and Supplier Service
• Close collaboration and exchange with internal and external stakeholders
• Document processes and procedures
• Implement the Customer Service Management system
• Follow the CS gameplan actions (Strategy/Vision) implementation
• Ensure high quality standards in all CS processes
• Interface to all finance teams, especially in the closing activities
• In the first year(s), build up all needed systems, processes, and staff to install a properly functioning and reliable Customer Service team in Richmond
• Maintain close connection to the other Recycling Plant Team Leaders in the Aurubis Smelter Network
• Work in one team with the local Commercial Recycling Raw Material Team to identify market needs and supplier wishes, making Aurubis the customer of choice for our suppliers
• Function will probably be the first S4/HANA site; good IT process knowledge is of utmost importance to identify errors
• Exper…