Commercial Operations Associate

Commercial Operations Associate
Please double check you have the right level of experience and qualifications by reading the full overview of this opportunity below.
Location: Ladson, SC (Greater Charleston Area)Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent (100% Onsite)Department: Sales & Commercial OperationsReports To: Key Account ManagerRole OverviewWe are seeking a motivated Commercial Operations Associate to join our commercial team in Ladson, SC. Designed as a foundational launchpad for early-career professionals, this onsite role provides comprehensive exposure to order fulfillment, commercial pricing, demand tracking, and direct account management.You will act as the operational bridge between key enterprise clients and our cross-functional plant teams (Production, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, and Finance). Over time, as you master daily operational workflows and relationship management, this position offers structured career progression toward roles such as Account Manager, Business Development Specialist, or Key Account Manager.Key ResponsibilitiesOrder Lifecycle & Commercial ReportingAct as the direct point of contact for customer inquiries regarding schedules, delivery status, inventory, and order changes.Administer, validate, and reconcile customer schedules and purchase orders via EDI platforms and ERP systems.Align purchase orders with production schedules, shipping constraints, and formal commercial terms.Generate and distribute critical operational reports, including:Open order tracking and past-due schedulesMonthly commercial revenue and sales performance metricsCustomer inventory and backlog summariesAssist commercial leadership with annual pricing adjustments, quote preparation, and Request for Quotation (RFQ) processing.Cross-Functional Customer SupportBuild responsive, trustworthy relationships with key account counterparts through timely status updates and proactive problem-solving.Partner directly with plant operations—including Production Planning, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and Accounting—to troubleshoot delivery delays, resolve quality alerts, and manage schedule discrepancies.Assist with customer demand forecasting, historical run-rate analysis, and capacity evaluations.Participate in customer operational reviews and commercial discussions as product and client knowledge expands.Operational Excellence & Quality AssuranceIdentify bottlenecks in reporting, portal administration, and customer communication, championing standard operating improvements (such as error-proofing/poka-yoke methods).Ensure strict adherence to customer-specific quality requirements and internal Integrated Management System (IMS) protocols.Uphold the high delivery precision and quality standards expected in automotive and manufacturing environments.Candidate QualificationsRequiredEducation: Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).Technical Skills: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, with hands-on skill in Microsoft Excel (data sorting, basic formulas, tracking sheets) and Outlook.Communication: Clear, professional written and verbal English communication tailored for both external clients and shop-floor leaders.Analytical Mindset: Aptitude for working with numbers, reviewing dispatch reports, identifying shipment variances, and tracking unit-level data.Adaptability: High initiative, strong attention to detail, and eagerness to develop a long-term career in commercial operations.PreferredPrior internship or 1–2 years of experience in customer service, sales support, order entry, or administrative operations.Exposure to an automotive, manufacturing, or distribution environment.Familiarity with ERP platforms (such as SAP), customer EDI order systems, or supplier portals.Working Conditions & Physical RequirementsEnvironment: Professional office situated directly inside an active manufacturing plant. xzbcwsv Activity: Frequent sitting, computer station use, occasional walking through production areas, and active daily interaction across departments.