Senior Oil Trader - Downstream

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.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

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