Head of Physical Energy Trading

Redstone Search Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Redstone Commodity Search is coordinating with a major international commodities trading firm to appoint a Head of Physical Energy Trading in Dubai. This senior role leads the physical energy desk, shaping strategy, performance, and growth across oil, refined products and wider energy markets.

The ideal candidate has 10–15 years of hands-on experience, a proven PnL track record, an international network, and the leadership ability to mentor traders while building out a robust trading function.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of experience within physical energy or oil products trading.
• Strong and demonstrable physical trading PnL track record.
• Established international network across suppliers, buyers, trading counterparties, and other key market participants.
• Deep understanding of physical commodity flows, pricing, logistics, freight, storage, risk, and contract structures.
• Previous experience managing traders or building a commercial trading function is highly advantageous.
• Strong origination capability with the ability to bring commercial relationships and opportunities from day one.
• Entrepreneurial approach combined with the discipline required to operate within a major international trading organisation.
• Existing Middle Eastern market exposure would be advantageous, although exceptional international profiles will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the firm’s physical energy trading activities, taking responsibility for commercial performance, strategy, and growth.
• Manage and expand physical trading flows across relevant oil, refined products and wider energy markets.
• Identify new trading opportunities, supply channels, customers, and geographical markets.
• Originate and negotiate physical supply, purchase, offtake, and structured trading agreements.
• Maintain and expand senior relationships with producers, refiners, trading houses, NOCs, distributors, and end-users.
• Take ownership of trading risk, exposure, position management, and overall book performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop traders while contributing to the continued build-out of the wider trading function.
• Work closely with operations, shipping, risk, finance, and credit teams to ensure effective execution of physical transactions.
• Provide senior management with market intelligence and contribute directly to the firm’s broader commercial strategy.

Skills

Physical energy trading

PnL track record

Leadership

Origination

Market network

Risk management

Entrepreneurial mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Redstone Commodity Search are working with a major international commodities trading firm looking to appoint a Head of Physical Energy Trading to its Dubai operation.

This is a senior commercial leadership mandate for an established physical energy trader with 10–15 years of experience, a demonstrable trading track record, and the ability to lead and further develop a significant physical energy trading business.

The Role

• Lead and develop the firm’s physical energy trading activities, taking responsibility for commercial performance, strategy, and growth.
• Manage and expand physical trading flows across relevant oil, refined products and wider energy markets.
• Identify new trading opportunities, supply channels, customers, and geographical markets.
• Originate and negotiate physical supply, purchase, offtake, and structured trading agreements.
• Maintain and expand senior relationships with producers, refiners, trading houses, NOCs, distributors, and end-users.
• Take ownership of trading risk, exposure, position management, and overall book performance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop traders while contributing to the continued build-out of the wider trading function.
• Work closely with operations, shipping, risk, finance, and credit teams to ensure effective execution of physical transactions.
• Provide senior management with market intelligence and contribute directly to the firm’s broader commercial strategy.

Key Requirements

• 10–15 years of experience within physical energy or oil products trading.
• Strong and demonstrable physical trading PnL track record.
• Established international network across suppliers, buyers, trading counterparties, and other key market participants.
• Deep understanding of physical commodity flows, pricing, logistics, freight, storage, risk, and contract structures.
• Previous experience managing traders or building a commercial trading function is highly advantageous.
• Strong origination capability with the ability to bring commercial relationships and opportunities from day one.
• Entrepreneurial approach combined with the discipline required to operate within a major international trading organisation.
• Existing Middle Eastern market exposure would be advantageous, although exceptional international profiles will be considered.

The Opportunity

The successful individual will join an established global trading platform with the infrastructure, balance sheet, market access, and operational capabilities required to support significant physical trading activity.

The mandate offers substantial commercial autonomy and the opportunity to play a central role in the continued development of the firm’s energy trading presence from Dubai.

Compensation

Salary and overall compensation are negotiable and will be structured around the experience, trading track record, existing commercial relationships, and immediate value brought by the successful individual.