Central Trader

Olam Agri; Dubai; On-site; AED 440,690 - 661,035; Full time

Job summary

Olam Agri in Dubai seeks a Central Trader to price, structure, trade and hedge sophisticated OTC derivatives with a focus on exotic and bespoke products. You will be a risk taker and structurer, partnering with global sales, risk and post-trade teams to deliver tailored client solutions while safeguarding capital.

We require deep market expertise, sound risk judgment and the ability to originate and execute complex structures across commodities and cross-asset correlations.

Qualifications

• Advanced quantitative, analytical and structuring capability.
• Strong commercial judgment with disciplined risk approach.
• Ability to operate independently and influence outcomes without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Pricing/structuring and hedging of complex OTC derivatives solutions.
• Structuring/exotic options (barriers, digitals, path dependent and bespoke payoffs).
• Originate and implement innovative client-driven trading structures.
• Monitor global market conditions, volatility regimes and macro drivers to optimize risk-adjusted returns.
• Collaborate with global sales to translate requirements into executable, hedged structures.
• Ensure accurate trade execution, documentation integrity and adherence to controls.
• Develop pricing models and risk analytics; drive automation and transparency.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Structuring capability

Risk management

Analytical skills

Independent decision-making

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in finance

CFA/FRM/CQF

Job description

Agricultural commodities experience price changes and volatility, creating a difficult environment for producers and supply chain participants. We understand physical networks and risk, enabling us to offer smart price risk management services.

Our global team has experience in physical commodities and financial instruments trading, and collectively offer over 100 years of industry practice. We focus on building long-term relationships and tailor our services to customers unique needs.

The RMS (Risk Management Solutions) business provides bespoke structured solutions to address our clients’ hedging requirements across the agricultural commodities complex.

Role Summary

As a Central Trader, you will play a pivotal role in the pricing/ structuring, trading & hedging of sophisticated OTC derivative solutions, with a strong focus on exotic and bespoke products. You will act as arisk taker and structurer, partnering closely with global sales, risk, and post‑trade teams to deliver tailored client solutions while safeguarding the firm’s risk and capital objectives.

This role requires deep market expertise, sound risk judgment, and the ability to independently originate and execute complex structures across commodities and cross‑asset correlations. While the role may not involve direct people management, it carries significant accountability, influence, and decision-making responsibility.

Why This Role

This is a high‑impact role offering significant autonomy, market exposure, and strategic influence within a sophisticated trading environment. It is well‑suited for an experienced derivatives professional who thrives at the intersection of complex structuring, disciplined risk management, and commercial innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Pricing and hedging of OTC Derivatives products (≈60%)

• Structuring/ pricing, and hedging of complex OTC derivative solutions, including:
• Swaps and vanilla look alike structures
• Exotic options (e.g., barriers, digitals, path dependent and bespoke payoffs)
• Correlation and spread products (calendar, inter commodity, cross commodity, commodity/FX, etc.)
• Originate and implement innovative, client driven and proprietary trading structures aligned with the firm’s risk appetite and capital framework.
• Exercise judgment in risk taking, portfolio construction, and position management, balancing profitability with downside protection.
• Actively monitor global market conditions, volatility regimes, and macro drivers to adapt strategies and optimize risk adjusted returns.

Multi Commodity Exposure & Collaboration (≈20%)

• Maintain and expand multi commodity exposure, with a particular focus on the agricultural complex, while contributing to broader cross asset initiatives.

Partner closely with global sales teams to:

• Translate client requirements into executable and well hedged structures
• Provide market insight, pricing guidance, and trade rationale
• Serve as a trading interface with Post Trade Client Services, ensuring seamless lifecycle management, issue resolution, and high client satisfaction.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and change projects, working with cross functional stakeholders (Risk, Operations, Legal, Technology, external advisors).
• Ensure accurate trade execution, documentation integrity, and adherence to internal controls and regulatory requirements.
• Take ownership of risk identification, monitoring, and mitigation, including Greeks, stress testing, scenario analysis, and correlation risk.
• Provide independent challenge and escalation where risk/reward dynamics or controls require intervention.
• Design, enhance, and maintain advanced pricing models, risk, and P&L analytics, including sophisticated spreadsheets and ancillary tools.
• Drive continuous improvement in automation, transparency, and robustness of trading and risk management infrastructure.
• Act as a subject matter expert in model usage and limitations, partnering with quantitative and technology teams where required.

Internal teams and collaborators:

• Central trading and structuring team – Dubai
• Credit risk and compliance team – Dubai and Singapore

Job requirements

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of experience in OTC derivatives structuring and trading, with demonstrable exposure to exotic and bespoke products.
• Proven track record in risk taking, portfolio management, and complex structuring within financial or commodity markets.
• Experience across multi‑commodity platforms, with agricultural commodities considered a strong advantage.
• Prior exposure to client‑facing or sales‑adjacent trading roles is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

• Advanced quantitative, analytical, and structuring capability.
• Strong commercial judgment with a disciplined approach to risk.
• Ability to operate independently at a level, influencing outcomes without formal authority.
• High‑quality communication skills to engage confidently with sales, clients, risk, and stakeholders.
• Strong project ownership mindset with the ability to contribute to strategic and transformational initiatives.

Education:

• Master’s degree in finance, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CFA, FRM, CQF, or equivalent are strongly valued.

Olam Agri is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.