Senior Products Operator

Richard James Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Richard James Recruitment Specialists Ltd in London is seeking a Senior Products Operations Specialist to join a leading energy trading business. You will manage day-to-day oil products operations, coordinate documentation and vessel nominations, and support compliance and cost management across the trading lifecycle.

This role requires 5+ years in a similar role within European oil products, strong stakeholder management and a proactive, results‑driven mindset.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in a similar Products Operations role, ideally within the European oil products market.
• Strong understanding of the physical oil trading lifecycle and related processes.
• Experience with documentation, invoicing, letters of credit and cargo regimes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day trading operations for oil products.
• Coordinate vessel clearances and liaise with relevant parties throughout the trading lifecycle.
• Support demurrage, cost management activities and cargo quality controls.
• Liaise with inspection companies regarding cargo quality and quantity controls.
• Maintain accurate trading positions and ensure systems reflect latest cargo information.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders across operations and trading.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and external requirements including REACH and customs.
• Work with sanctions teams to protect the business and ensure compliant trading activity.

Skills

Oil trading lifecycle

Stakeholder management

Trading and shipping operations

Documentation management

Compliance knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Proactive problem solving

Job description

An exciting opportunity to join a leading energy trading business and play a key role as a Senior Products Operations Specialist.

Our client is a leading international energy and commodities business operating at the forefront of the global energy market, with a strong focus on trading, innovation and the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

They are looking to appoint a Senior Products Operations Specialist to join their London team, working closely with traders, analysts and operations colleagues across European oil products. The role offers excellent exposure across the full trading lifecycle, with close interaction across trading, shipping, scheduling, credit, middle and back office, insurance, legal, finance and contracts.

You will join a diverse, collaborative and international environment that values knowledge sharing, innovation and professional development, with genuine opportunities to broaden your expertise and progress your career across the wider organisation. The business also offers a hybrid working model, providing flexibility between office and remote working, alongside a strong focus on employee wellbeing and work-life balance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the day-to-day trading operations for oil products.
• Manage key documentation including pro-forma invoices, vessel nominations, letters of credit, cargo insurance and cargo quantity and date nominations.
• Coordinate vessel clearances and liaise with relevant parties throughout the trading lifecycle.
• Support demurrage and cost management activities, including freight differentials, deviation costs and dead-freight.
• Liaise with inspection companies regarding cargo quality and quantity controls.
• Maintain accurate trading positions and ensure systems are fully updated with the latest cargo information.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external counterparties, including terminals and inspection companies.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and relevant external requirements, including REACH and customs regulations.
• Manage storage locations and stock reconciliations.
• Work closely with sanctions teams to protect the business and ensure compliant trading activity.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years' experience in a similar Products Operations role, ideally within the European oil products market.
• Strong understanding of the physical oil trading lifecycle.
• Solid knowledge of trading and shipping operations, including cargoes, time and voyage charters, quality and quantity controls and storage.
• Experience with storage and blending would be advantageous.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with a proactive, positive and results-oriented approach.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an international and collaborative team.