Senior Middle Distillates Trader

Richard James Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Richard James Recruitment Specialists Ltd. is seeking a Senior Middle Distillates Trader in London to lead trading across physical and financial markets, guiding a desk through arbitrage, hedging, and strategy development.

You will negotiate contracts, manage risk, and work with front office, risk, finance, and operations in a global setting. The role requires extensive trading experience, strong analytical skills, and a proven track record of desk growth, with English fluency and excellent

Qualifications

• A degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Finance, Economics or related field is preferred.
• Extensive experience in trading.
• Proven track record of delivering results and growing a trading desk.
• Strong understanding of futures, options, swaps and structured energy derivative products.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in trading platforms and financial modelling.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Solid understanding of risk management principles and regulatory requirements.
• High level of integrity and commitment to ethical standards.
• Strong team player.
• Experience working within a global and international organisation is preferred.
• Full command of the English language (written and spoken); knowledge of additional languages would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a significant flow in the Med thanks to our strong portfolio and downstream commercial activities.
• Execute physical and paper trades in middle distillates to maximise P&L within defined risk parameters.
• Structure and execute arbitrage opportunities across regions and markets.
• Develop and implement proprietary trading strategies to capture arbitrage, hedging, and speculative opportunities, including spread trading, volatility strategies and arbitrage.
• Support business growth through new initiatives and ideas to ensure the organic and sustainable development of the desk.
• Monitor and hedge market exposures using futures, swaps and derivatives.
• Track market fundamentals, pricing trends, freight, refining margins and inventory levels.
• Analyse macroeconomic trends, geopolitical risks, and market sentiment to inform trading decisions.
• Utilise technical analysis, quantitative models, and real-time data to identify trading opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with refiners, trading houses and end users.
• Negotiate contracts, offtake agreements and term supply deals.
• Collaborate with operations, risk, finance, and credit teams to ensure smooth execution.
• Work closely with risk management to monitor exposures and adhere to position limits.
• Communicate market views, trade ideas and risk assessments to senior management.
• Guide and mentor Trading Analysts/Juniors, contributing to their professional development.
• Ensure all trading activity is always in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and internal controls.

Skills

Trading experience

English language

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring juniors

Education

Degree in Engineering/Mathematics/Finance/Economics

Tools

Trading platforms

Quant modelling software

Risk systems

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Middle Distillates Trader to join a leading global energy trading organisation based in London. This role offers exposure across the full commodity trading lifecycle, spanning both physical and financial markets, while working closely with front office, risk, finance, and operations teams across international trading hubs.

Joining this business means becoming part of a collaborative and multicultural environment with a strong focus on innovation, professional development, and the evolving energy landscape. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and executing middle distillates trading strategies, with excellent opportunities for career growth, international exposure, and a competitive benefits package that supports both well-being and work-life balance.

Main responsibilities:

• Oversee a significant flow in the Med thanks to our strong portfolio and downstream commercial activities.
• Execute physical and paper trades in middle distillates to maximise P&L within defined risk parameters.
• Structure and execute arbitrage opportunities across regions and markets.
• Develop and implement proprietary trading strategies to capture arbitrage, hedging, and speculative opportunities, including spread trading, volatility strategies and arbitrage.
• Support business growth through new initiatives and ideas to ensure the organic and sustainable development of the desk.
• Monitor and hedge market exposures using futures, swaps and derivatives.
• Track market fundamentals, pricing trends, freight, refining margins and inventory levels.
• Analyse macroeconomic trends, geopolitical risks, and market sentiment to inform trading decisions.
• Utilise technical analysis, quantitative models, and real-time data to identify trading opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with refiners, trading houses and end users.
• Negotiate contracts, offtake agreements and term supply deals.
• Collaborate with operations, risk, finance, and credit teams to ensure smooth execution.
• Work closely with risk management to monitor exposures and adhere to position limits.
• Communicate market views, trade ideas and risk assessments to senior management.
• Guide and mentor Trading Analysts/Juniors, contributing to their professional development.
• Ensure all trading activity is always in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements and internal controls.

Skills and experience required:

• A degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Finance, Economics or a related field is preferred.
• Extensive experience in trading.
• Proven track record of delivering results and growing a trading desk.
• Strong understanding of futures, options, swaps and structured energy derivative products.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in trading platforms and financial modelling.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Solid understanding of risk management principles and regulatory requirements.
• High level of integrity and commitment to ethical standards.
• Strong team player.
• Experience working within a global and international organisation is preferred.
• Full command of the English language (written and spoken); knowledge of additional languages would be an asset.