Commercial Operations Associate

About the Role

The Commercial Operations Associate is an entry-level opportunity designed for individuals seeking to build a long-term career in commercial operations, sales, account management, and business development. This role provides a strong foundation in customer service, order management, customer relationship support, and commercial operations. The successful candidate will work closely with customers and internal departments to ensure efficient order processing, accurate reporting, and exceptional customer support.

Career Development Path

This position is designed as the starting point of a structured commercial career path. Employees will gain experience and exposure in various areas of the organization, including:

• Customer Service
• Commercial Operations
• Order Management
• Sales Support
• Production Planning
• Logistics and Supply Chain
• Account Management

Key Responsibilities

Order Management & Reporting for Commercial Operations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for customers regarding orders, schedules, and inquiries.
• Process customer orders and maintain order accuracy throughout the order lifecycle.
• Process, maintain, and reconcile EDI schedules.
• Update orders based on customer requirements, production priorities, commercial agreements and communicate changes to internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports, including:
• Open orders reports
• Past due order reports
• Monthly sales reports
• Track customer RFQs and support quotation activities.
• Support pricing reviews and annual pricing updates.

Customer Relationship Support

• Develop positive working relationships with customers through professional communication and responsiveness.
• Collaborate with internal departments including Production, Logistics, Quality, Engineering, and Finance to resolve customer concerns.
• Support account management activities and participate in customer-facing discussions as experience develops.
• Assist with sales forecasting and customer demand analysis.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reporting accuracy, and customer service processes.
• Support implementation of process improvements and poka-yoke initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with company procedures and the Integrated Management System (IMS).

Quality Responsibilities

• Adhere to all internal quality standards and customer-specific requirements.
• Understand and support product quality expectations in the automotive industry.
• Promote a culture of quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
• EDI
• ERP systems (e.g., SAP) - preferred
• Customer portals - preferred

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to analyze information and solve problems effectively.
• Demonstrated initiative and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Basic mathematical and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret reports, data, and customer demand information.
• Ability to evaluate situations, prioritize tasks, and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on customer satisfaction and business objectives.
• Fluent English communication skills required.
• Additional language skills are a plus.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk frequently throughout the workday.
• Ability to use standard office equipment and computer systems.

Education and/or Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, Communications, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Internship, or prior customer service, administrative, or business experience preferred but not required.
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, logistics, or commercial operations environments - preferred.