Purpose of the Role
The Senior Manager, Physical Trader (Coal) is responsible for creating and executing back-to-back physical coal flows that meet client and plant requirements at the lowest delivered cost. The role will drive sourcing, trading, and operational execution, while expanding the company's third-party trading network across Asia.
Responsibilities:
Deal Execution & Trading
- Source, negotiate, and close physical coal transactions across Asia.
- Manage nominations, laycans, and voyage execution in coordination with Fuel Operations.
- Drive market coverage, supplier diversification and price discovery.
- Ensure delivered-cost optimization by balancing freight, timing and quality.
- Raise hedge requests to Paper Traders to manage exposure as required.
- Resolve demurrage, claims, and disputes with Operations.
Quality, Risk & Compliance
- Oversee blending and quality alignment to meet contractual specifications.
- Maintain complete trade files, documentation, and audit trails for every deal.
- Ensure adherence to governance standards, contract hygiene, and compliance policies.
- Foster a strong controls mindset, with zero tolerance for off-policy risk taking.
Business Development
- Expand third-party trading network and build new supplier/customer relationships.
- Enhance contract optionality with flexible volume, timing, and quality terms.
- Contribute to growing Abaqa Power's presence as a trusted regional coal trading partner.
Collaboration & Leadership
- Partner with operations, shipping, finance, risk, and legal teams to ensure smooth trade execution.
- Provide market insights and commercial recommendations to senior management.
- Support the development of junior team members and knowledge transfer.
Requirements:
Experience & Technical Expertise
- Minimum 5 years experience in physical coal trading, with a strong network in Asia.
- Mastery of Incoterms, chartering basics, laycan management, and demurrage/claims.
- Proven ability to optimize delivered costs (freight + quality + timing).
- Strong operational interface across shipping, contracts, documentation, and settlement.
- Proficiency with E/CTRM systems and Excel (pivot tables, lookups).
Competencies
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- Data-driven, analytical decision-making approach.
- Rigorous attention to compliance, governance, and risk management.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, with ability to grow new trading flows and partnerships.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- MBA or other advanced qualification is an advantage.
