Commercial Manager

PDB International General Trading LLC; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A global trading company is seeking an experienced Commercial Trade Manager in Dubai. This role entails managing global procurement and trading activities for grains and edible oils, including futures hedging and contract negotiations. Candidates should have a strong background in commodity trading, with a minimum of 7-12 years of relevant experience and a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. Skills in negotiation, market analysis, and risk management are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-12 years of commodity trading experience.
• Proven record in futures hedging and physical procurement.
• Deep knowledge of GAFTA, FOSFA, and PORAM contracts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee global procurement and risk management in grains and edible oils.
• Negotiate and manage contracts for commodity trading.
• Ensure compliance and manage logistics operations.

Skills

Commodity trading experience

Negotiation skills

Market analysis

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Economics, or Finance

MBA or postgraduate certification

Job description

Overview

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Commercial Trade Manager to oversee our global procurement and risk management activities in grains (wheat & corn) and edible oils (CPO, COL & ROL). The role combines commodity trading, futures hedging, and physical execution with responsibility for securing competitive procurement and ensuring smooth delivery to our refining, packaging, and distribution operations across Africa and the Middle East.

Responsibilities

• Grains (Wheat & Corn)
• Trade and hedge CME wheat & corn futures for both price protection and physical delivery.
• Source physical cargoes FOB / CIF from exporters and CME delivery points.
• Negotiate and manage GAFTA contracts (quality, shipment period, tolerance, disputes).
• Oversee logistics including vessel chartering, LC coordination, and discharge operations.
• Oils (CPO, COL & ROL)
• Trade and hedge Bursa Malaysia CPO, COL & ROL futures.
• Procure crude and refined oils for refining and packaging operations.
• Negotiate PORAM / FOSFA contracts and manage delivery schedules.
• Handle price risk management, spreads, and rolling futures positions.
• Cross-Function
• Align LC opening dates and procurement commitments.
• Book freight with vessel brokers for grains and oils, negotiating charterparty terms, demurrage, dispatch, and fixture details.
• Delegate documentation and execution tasks (BL, customs, LC paperwork, inspection certificates) to the operations clerk, while maintaining oversight and ensuring compliance.
• Manage insurance claims, quality / quantity disputes, and inspections (SGS, BVC, GAFTA).
• Track inventory & reordering points (align procurement with factory demand).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Procurement & Cost Efficiency: Average Procurement Cost vs Market Suppliers; Competitive vessel booking.
• Supply Chain Reliability: On-time Delivery Rate to our factories.
• Contract & Dispute Management: Disputes Resolved Favorably (contracts, insurance claims, shipping).
• Market Intelligence & Reporting: Accuracy of Market Forecasts (internal reports vs actual price movements).
• Management Decisions Supported: # of strategic procurement decisions enabled by analysis.
• LC & Finance Management: LC coordination with Buyer, Payer & Supplier; Documentation compliance rate (shipments executed with zero LC / document issues).

Requirements

• At minimum 7-12 years of commodity trading experience
• A bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, or Finance; MBA or postgraduate certification preferred; with GAFTA, FOSFA, PORAM contracts and arbitration frameworks.
• Proven record in futures hedging (Bursa Malaysia, CME) and physical procurement.
• Deep knowledge of GAFTA, FOSFA, PORAM contracts and arbitration frameworks.
• Strong network with exporters, shippers, brokers, and inspection agencies.
• Skilled negotiator with ability to handle demurrage claims, disputes, and LC-linked procurement.
• Analytical mindset with risk management and market analysis capability.

About the company

PDB International General Trading was established in 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since its establishment, it has expanded its business from importing and exporting items to trading a large variety of commodities, particularly within the African regions. In its manufacturing endeavour, it has commissioned a 144 Tons / day pasta factory in Luanda, Angola with full production capacity and its corn flour production facility is soon to start production.