Commodity Trader at H. Pierson Associates

Job Summary: 

• Our client seeks a highly driven and experienced Commodity Trader with a versatile background in the oil & gas trading ecosystem, covering refined petroleum products, crude oil, and gas. The ideal candidate will possess a substantial book of clients and trading relationships along with the ability to leverage AI-powered trading tools and analytics. This trader must have a deep understanding of commodity markets, a proven ability to originate and close profitable deals, and an existing network of off-takers, suppliers, and financial institutions across West Africa and beyond. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, market agility, operational know-how, and technological savvy to grow trading volumes and margins sustainably while utilizing cutting-edge AI solutions for competitive advantage. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Originate and execute profitable oil and gas trading deals across West Africa, including spot and term contracts. 
• Originate, negotiate, and execute trading contracts for crude oil, refined products (e.g., PMS, AGO, DPK, LPG), and/or natural gas. 
• Build and manage a strong portfolio of clients, suppliers, and partners across key markets in West Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. 
• Monitor global oil & gas markets, benchmark indices (e.g., Platts, Argus), and supply-demand dynamics to inform pricing and trading strategies. 
• Bring and actively maintain a substantial "book" of clients, including suppliers, off-takers, and financial institutions, demonstrating ability to convert relationships into profitable trades  
• Utilize AI-powered market intelligence platforms to identify trading opportunities, price anomalies, and arbitrage possibilities before competitors  
• Develop and implement algorithmic trading strategies for specific market conditions when appropriate  
• Collaborate with data science teams to build predictive models for price movements, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical impacts  
• Leverage natural language processing tools to extract actionable insights from news, social media, and industry reports affecting commodity markets  
• Implement AI-based risk assessment tools to evaluate counterparty credit risk and transaction exposure  
• Utilize machine learning to optimize trade timing, volumes, and hedging strategies based on historical performance  
• Incorporate satellite imagery analysis and alternative data sources for real-time monitoring of supply movements and storage levels  
• Design and implement structured trade finance solutions supported by AI-based risk assessment tools  
• Apply advanced data visualization techniques to communicate complex market dynamics to stakeholders 
• Identify arbitrage and hedging opportunities to maximize trading margins and mitigate exposure. 
• Coordinate with internal operations, logistics, risk, and finance teams to ensure efficient deal execution. 
• Manage commercial risk, counterparty exposure, credit terms, and delivery schedules. 
• Maintain up-to-date records of contracts, lifting schedules, product specs, and compliance documentation. 
• Represent the company in high-level negotiations and industry events to expand the trading footprint. 
• Contribute to business development strategies by opening new markets or launching new products. 

Key Requirements 

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Business, Engineering, Data Science or a related field. A master's degree or professional trading certification(s) is an added advantage  
• 7-12 years of experience in commodity trading with a focus on oil & gas markets  
• Demonstrable book of business with verifiable transaction history showing successful deal origination and execution  
• Experience in structured trade finance and ability to bring financial partners to support complex transactions  
• Proven expertise in utilizing AI and data analytics tools for trading advantage (e.g., predictive analytics platforms, algorithmic trading systems)  
• Proficiency in Python, R, or similar languages used for quantitative trading analysis  
• Experience with machine learning applications in commodity price forecasting and risk management  
• Strong network of off-takers, suppliers, refineries, marketers, and financiers in Africa and globally with proven ability to convert relationships into transactions  
• Demonstrated ability to integrate alternative data sources into trading decisions  
• Solid understanding of trade finance instruments, INCOTERMS, vessel chartering, and supply chain coordination  
• Experience in structuring complex S&P (Sale and Purchase) transactions in oil and gas markets