Senior Oil Trader - Downstream at Pishon and Brooks Advisory Services

JOB PURPOSE

• The Senior Oil Trader will lead the origination, structuring, and execution of high-value trading transactions for refined petroleum products across the Nigerian and West African downstream market.
• The role is accountable for delivering targeted trading P&L, securing resilient supply, optimizing margins, and managing price, credit, and logistics risk.
• This is a commercial leadership role requiring deep market intelligence, strong counterparty networks, and the ability to trade profitably across PMS, AGO, DPK, ATK, LPG, and other downstream products in a volatile regulatory and FX environment.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Trading, Origination & P&L Delivery:

• Originate and execute profitable physical and spot trades for PMS, AGO, DPK, ATK, LPG, and other downstream products.
• Own and manage a trading book to deliver budgeted gross margin and volume targets, while optimizing inventory, working capital, and demurrage.
• Identify arbitrage, import/export, and regional cross-border opportunities using market, FX, and regulatory insights.

Supply Sourcing & Sales Execution:

• Negotiate and secure terms and spot supply with refiners, NNPC Ltd, international trading houses, depots, and accredited suppliers.
• Develop and retain a high-quality portfolio of buyers, off-takers, marketers, industrial customers, and commercial partners to ensure consistent offtake.
• Structure competitive pricing, payment, and delivery terms aligned to company margin objectives and market realities.

Logistics, Operations & Transaction Management

• Coordinate end-to-end transaction execution with Operations, Logistics, Finance, Risk, and Legal: from cargo/vessel/truck scheduling to documentation, lifting, storage, and settlement.
• Oversee product specifications, stock reconciliation, cargo documentation, and delivery follow-up to ensure zero-loss transactions.

Risk, Compliance & Governance:

• Monitor and manage commodity price risk, FX exposure, counterparty credit risk, and logistics risk within approved trading mandates.
• Ensure 100% compliance with NMDRA, NUPRC, CBN, EFCC, KYC/AML, INCOTERMS, and Stockgap’s internal trading, credit, and control policies.

Market Intelligence & Commercial Strategy:

• Provide daily/weekly market analysis on local and international product prices, benchmarks, supply-demand trends, FX movements, and regulatory shifts.
• Contribute to trading strategy development to improve profitability, market share, supply reliability, and customer retention.
• Prepare and present accurate trading reports on volumes, margins, open positions, and transaction performance to Senior Management.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• P&L & Margin: Gross trading margin and profitability per transaction vs. target.
• Volume: Trading volume and offtake achieved against annual/quarterly targets.
• Network Quality: Number and quality of active suppliers, buyers, and off takers developed.
• Risk & Compliance: Zero breaches of credit limits, trading mandates, or regulatory requirements.
• Operational Efficiency: Demurrage cost, stock reconciliation accuracy, and transaction closure timelines.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or HND in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Energy Management, Supply Chain, or related discipline. MBA, CFA, or CISI certification is an advantage.
• Experience: Minimum of 7–10 years’ proven experience in refined petroleum products trading, supply, or commercial operations within Nigeria or West Africa.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of product pricing, depot operations, importation processes, vessel chartering, cargo documentation, INCOTERMS, trade finance, and downstream distribution.
• Market Exposure: Established relationships with marketers, depots, major distributors, industrial buyers, international suppliers, or trading houses.

Core Competencies & Skills:

• Commercial Acumen: Proven ability to identify, structure, and close profitable trades under pressure.
• Negotiation & Influence: Excellent negotiation, networking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical Rigor: Strong ability to interpret price curves, supply-demand data, and risk indicators to make timely decisions.
• Risk Discipline: Sound judgment on credit exposure, margin protection, and transaction controls.
• Communication: Clear reporting, presentation, and internal/external stakeholder engagement skills.
• Systems Proficiency: Advanced Excel, ERP systems, and trading/market platforms [e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters, ETRM].

Working Relationships:

• Internal: Commercial, Operations, Logistics, Finance, Risk Management, Legal, Compliance, and Senior Management.
• External: Suppliers, customers, brokers, depot operators, transporters, vessel owners, banks, and regulators.

Values & Behaviours:

• High level of integrity, accountability, confidentiality, and attention to detail. Expected to model Stockgap’s values of safety, compliance, commercial excellence, and partnership.