The Bitumen Trader is responsible for developing, managing, and growing the company's bitumen trading portfolio across regional markets. The role focuses on sourcing, pricing, negotiating, and executing physical bitumen cargo transactions while managing market exposure and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and logistics partners.
Responsibilities and Duties
1. Trading & Deal Execution
- Execute physical bitumen trades (imports, exports, and regional supply)
- Identify arbitrage opportunities and market inefficiencies
- Negotiate purchase and sales contracts with suppliers and customers
- Monitor price movements and manage trading positions within risk limits
2. Market Development
- Develop and expand customer base across Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa
- Build strong relationships with refineries, traders, contractors, and government-linked buyers
- Identify new markets and product opportunities (e.g. paving grades, PG grades, emulsions)
3. Supply Chain & Logistics Coordination
- Coordinate with shipping, storage terminals, and inspection agencies
- Ensure smooth execution of cargo deliveries, documentation, and compliance
- Work closely with operations teams to optimise freight and storage costs
4. Risk Management
- Monitor exposure to price, credit, and counterparty risk
- Ensure trades comply with internal risk policies and credit limits
- Provide timely market updates and position reports
5. Market Intelligence & Reporting
- Track global bitumen and crude oil market trends
- Analyse supply-demand fundamentals and refinery output
- Provide trading insights and regular market reports to management
6. Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure all contracts comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- Work with legal teams on SPA (Sales & Purchase Agreements)
- Maintain accurate trade documentation and records
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 3-8 years of experience in bitumen, asphalt, petroleum products, or related commodities trading
- Strong understanding of physical trading and shipping logistics
- Established network in bitumen or downstream oil products preferred
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and commercial skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure trading environment
- Excellent communication skills (English required additional languages a plus)
