Light Distillates Trader

Job Purpose

Responsible for trading and hedging physical light distillates (e.g., gasoline, LPG) and associated derivatives. This role ensures the effective management of price risk exposure and maximizes commercial value through strategic trading, blending, and market intelligence. The trader will operate within defined risk mandates and policies, contributing to both short-term trading performance and long-term strategy development.

Key Responsibilities

Trading

• Develop and execute profitable, asset-backed trading strategies in line with company objectives and market conditions.
• Negotiate and conclude physical market transactions (spot and term) within approved mandates and risk policies.
• Collaborate with shipping and operations teams to ensure physical movements are conducted safely, efficiently, and economically.
• Build and maintain strong commercial relationships with counterparties, suppliers, and customers.
• Continuously monitor, analyze, and communicate market developments, competitor activity, and supply/demand trends.
• Provide trading insights and present analysis to senior management to inform future strategies and decisions.

Hedging

• Formulate and implement hedging strategies for storage tanks, blending components, and finished gasoline products in accordance with the company’s risk policy.
• Execute derivative trades and monitor positions to mitigate risk and protect margins.
• Stay abreast of market developments, risk factors, and geopolitical events impacting the oil and distillates markets.
• Ensure timely and accurate input of all trading transactions into internal systems and compliance with reporting requirements.

Blending

• Source optimal components for gasoline blending, considering quality specifications, margin opportunities, and operational constraints.
• Contribute technical and commercial insight to the development of long-term gasoline and components trading strategy.

Qualifications

Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth understanding of the physical and derivative markets for light distillates (gasoline, LPG, etc.).
• Strong grasp of oil market fundamentals and global supply/demand dynamics.
• Proficient in risk management tools and hedging instruments.
• Knowledge of refining operations, blending economics, and processes is advantageous.
• Familiarity with trading and analytics platforms (e.g., CTRM systems, Bloomberg, Excel).
• Strong analytical mindset, commercially focused, and capable of working under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Science, or a related field (preferred).

Experience

• 8–10+ years of direct trading experience in light distillates with a solid track record of P&L delivery.
• Demonstrated success in trading both physical barrels and paper (derivatives) in compliance with risk policies.
• Proven ability to identify, evaluate, and execute trading opportunities in volatile market conditions.

Core Competencies

• Commercial acumen and entrepreneurial mindset
• High level of numeracy and data-driven decision-making
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement
• Results-driven with a strong appetite for calculated risk
• Strategic thinking with attention to market trends and dynamics
• Collaborative and agile approach to working with cross-functional teams