Oil Trading Operations

📍 Location: Geneva
🏢 Company: Global Energy & Petrochemicals Trading Company
📄 Employment Type: Full-time, On-site
📅 Start Date: Ideally within 1 month

About the Company

The company trades a diversified portfolio of energy products including crude oil, fuel oil, gasoil, gasoline, kerosene, LPG, and base oils. The company works with major oil companies and international banks, providing structured trade finance solutions and operating globally across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Arab Gulf, the U.S., and Africa.

Position Overview

We are seeking a senior, Oil Trading Operator to be based in Geneva, reporting directly to senior management.

This is a hands-on, end-to-end operational role requiring strong expertise in physical oil trading operations, trade finance coordination, and proactive risk management. The successful candidate will oversee bulk vessel operations from A to Z and collaborate closely with traders, finance, compliance, and global offices.

This is not a purely administrative role — we are looking for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced, global trading environment and can manage operational challenges in real time.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Physical Operations (Bulk / Wet Cargoes)

Manage full lifecycle of physical oil product transactions
Oversee tanker operations (loading, discharging, STS transfers, terminal operations)
Coordinate vessel nominations, laycans, demurrage management
Handle terminal clearances and vetting requirements
Monitor and manage margining operations where applicable
Ensure smooth execution from contract signature to final settlement

2. Trade Finance & Documentation

Collaborate closely with finance teams on:
- Letters of Credit (LCs)
- Documentary collections
- Payment terms and structures
Review and validate contractual wording from an operational risk perspective
Support traders during deal structuring to mitigate operational and title risk
Work closely with banking partners in Geneva and Amsterdam

3. Risk Management

Proactively identify operational and commercial risks
Advise traders on exposure relating to title transfer, shipping clauses, holidays, banking cut-offs, etc.
Flag potential demurrage, deviation, or compliance risks in advance
Escalate critical issues to senior management with solutions
Ensure compliance with sanctions and regulatory frameworks

4. Global Collaboration

Coordinate daily with 6–7 traders across:
- Europe
- Middle East
- Africa
- Asia
Work cross-functionally with finance, accounting, and compliance
Contribute operational expertise to global base oil and refined product flows

Candidate Profile

Experience

8–10+ years in physical oil trading operations
Proven experience handling bulk wet cargoes
Strong knowledge of Mediterranean and Arab Gulf markets preferred
Experience working with major oil companies and international banks

Technical Expertise

Deep understanding of:
- Tanker operations
- Demurrage calculations
- Terminal procedures
- STS transfers
- FOB/CIF risk transfer structures
Strong knowledge of trade finance instruments
Familiarity with ERP systems used in commodity trading
Understanding of sanctions and compliance frameworks

Personal Attributes

Resilient under pressure
Hands-on and operationally sharp
Strong communicator across global teams
Commercially aware and risk-focused
Solutions-oriented problem solver
Leadership capability without ego

Working Conditions

Full-time office-based role in Geneva
Availability outside business hours when operationally required (vessel issues, urgent approvals, etc.)

This role requires commitment typical of global energy trading — flexibility and responsiveness are essential.

Oil Operator