Commodity Origination Director - Black Sea Region

Summary

The Black Sea region is a strategic hub for both the EMEA and global grain markets. To strengthen our operations in this vital area, CHS is seeking an experienced Commodity Origination Director to lead the procurement and supply of agricultural commodities across Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia. This position will be based in our Bucharest office.

This senior leadership role is pivotal in building and expanding relationships with local producers, suppliers, and logistics partners to ensure a consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective supply for our global trading network. The successful candidate will bring a blend of strategic vision and hands-on execution, driving operational excellence, managing risk, and delivering sustainable growth in one of the world’s most dynamic agricultural markets.

At CHS, you’ll join a global team that connects farmers and markets, strengthens food security, and champions sustainable growth in agriculture. If you are ready to lead origination in one of the most strategically important grain regions — and have the vision, expertise, and leadership to deliver results — we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive origination strategy for the Black Sea region, aligned with global supply chain objectives.
• Monitor and interpret regional market trends, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical factors to inform decision-making.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, and market volatility.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, logistics providers, regulatory bodies, and other key stakeholders.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing origination team.
• Foster collaboration across trading, logistics, supply & operations, finance, and compliance teams for seamless execution.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive process optimization and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Identify and cultivate long-term supplier relationships in the Black Sea region.
• Negotiate favorable agreements that meet quality, quantity, and delivery requirements.
• Coordinate with the trading desk to ensure timely pricing and procurement aligned with sales terms.
• Oversee logistics planning to ensure timely, cost-effective delivery to export terminals and seagoing vessels.
• Manage the full supply chain from farm to vessel, ensuring adherence to delivery timelines and quality standards.
• Implement and enforce food safety and quality control measures.
• Address performance issues with suppliers, customers, and logistics partners swiftly and effectively.
• Develop alternative commercial channels within the region to complement export operations and diversify revenue streams.

Minimum Qualifications (required)

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Economics or Supply Chain Management
• 7-10 years of experience in Commodities Originations or Procurement
• Prior leadership experience with progressively advancing level of leadership responsibilities
• Fluent in Romanian and English; proficiency in other languages is an asset

Additional Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing a full P&L, with a track record of delivering strong commercial results.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to plan, coordinate, and inspire teams, fostering collaboration and high performance.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and solve complex problems by gathering and analyzing data, establishing facts, and drawing sound conclusions.
• Successful experience in leading, developing, coaching, and training Product Line Managers and Traders.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Confident in presenting information and insights to senior leadership, stakeholders, and public audiences.
• Skilled in managing customer relationships, including addressing inquiries and resolving complaints effectively.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond productively to change and manage shifting priorities.
• Subject matter expertise in commodity origination markets and trading, with deep understanding of market dynamics.
• Exceptional analytical, decision-making, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills — both written and verbal — with the ability to influence at all levels.

Apply today and take the next step in shaping the future of global commodity trading.