Cocoa Trader

Barry Callebaut Group; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Barry Callebaut Group in Zürich seeks a Cocoa Trader to manage external sourcing and sale of cocoa powder and cake across Europe, with duties in cocoa butter and liquor trading. The role also supports hedging and risk management activities while collaborating with internal teams to optimize pricing and delivery.

The position emphasizes monitoring trading exposures, market intelligence, and maintaining strong customer relationships, with travel up to 30% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Fluent in English; French and/or German a plus.
• 5 years of experience in trading/commodities in an international environment.
• Capacity to lead other teams.
• Good Excel and PowerPoint skills and strong report writing.
• Team player with ability to work cross-functionally.
• Direct customer exposure with presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Solid understanding of commodities and international trade.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Adaptable to a dynamic environment.
• Willingness to travel ~30%.

Responsibilities

• Procure cocoa powder and cake to support intercompany supply requirements.
• Oversee cocoa powder sales and execution to manufacturing sites across Europe.
• Develop and manage supplier portfolio and sourcing opportunities.
• Source cocoa products using market intelligence and supplier offers; support strategy.
• Monitor and manage risk exposures from cocoa powder trading and maintain trading book oversight.
• Support cocoa butter and cocoa liquor trading with third-party customers and internal teams.
• Advise customers and sales teams on market developments, pricing, and trading strategies.
• Execute cocoa futures and foreign exchange transactions per objectives and risk guidelines.
• Resolve quality, logistics, and supply chain issues with internal teams and suppliers.
• Monitor trade execution and product flows; deepen understanding of sourcing processes.

Skills

Fluent in English

French

German

Excel

PowerPoint

Report writing

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Numerical skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About The Role

The Cocoa Trader role is part of the Products Trading team based in Zürich. The position is primarily responsible for the external sourcing and subsequent sale of cocoa powder and cake to our European manufacturing sites. In addition, the role supports broader trading activities, including the purchase and sale of cocoa butter and liquor to third‑party customers, in line with sales targets and available production capacities.

A key aspect of the role is the monitoring and management of trading exposures and risks arising from intercompany cocoa powder transactions, ensuring effective oversight of the trading book. The position also encompasses responsibilities related to financial transactions, hedging activities, and derivative instruments, contributing to the overall performance and risk management of the trading business.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Manage the procurement of cocoa powder and cocoa cake to support intercompany supply requirements.


• Oversee cocoa powder sales and execution, ensuring a reliable and efficient supply to manufacturing sites across Europe.


• Manage and further develop the supplier portfolio, identifying and evaluating alternative sourcing opportunities.


• Source cocoa products by gathering market intelligence and supplier offers, providing competitive pricing and contributing to trading strategy development.


• Monitor and manage risk exposures arising from cocoa powder trading activities and maintain oversight of the trading book.


• Support cocoa butter and cocoa liquor trading activities, working closely with third-party customers, internal stakeholders, and sales teams.


• Advise customers and sales teams on market developments, pricing, trading strategies, and business opportunities while maintaining key customer relationships.


• Execute cocoa futures and foreign exchange transactions in line with trading objectives and risk management guidelines.


• Resolve quality, logistics, and supply chain issues in collaboration with internal teams, customers, and suppliers.


• Monitor trade execution and physical product flows while developing a strong understanding of product sourcing processes and related operational requirements.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree


• Fluent in English. French / German is a plus


• 5 years of experience in trading/commodities in an international environment


• Capacity to lead other teams


• Good excel and PowerPoint skills as well as good report writing skills


• Team player and capable of working cross-functionally across various stakeholders


• Previous direct customer exposure and combined with presentation skills


• Stronganalytical and numerical skills


• Solid understanding of commodities (e.g. cocoa, coffee or other) and international trade


• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple conflicting priorities


• Able to adapt to a dynamic and changing environment


• Flexible and willing to travel (around 30%)


• Oriented to results

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.