Copper Operations Manager

vitol asia pte ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

VITOL ASIA PTE LTD is seeking an experienced professional to manage the end-to-end physical operations of copper trades, coordinating international shipments and ensuring efficient execution, delivery, and settlement. You will work with multiple stakeholders across origins and destinations to maintain smooth transaction flow.

The role requires deep knowledge of shipping, warehousing, documentation, and trade settlement, with a strong emphasis on risk mitigation and timely problem resolution in a

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in physical commodity operations, copper or base metals preferred.
• Strong knowledge of copper supply chain and international logistics.
• Experience coordinating trades with multiple jurisdictions and counterparties.
• Deep understanding of shipping, warehousing, documentation, and trade settlement.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete physical operations of copper trades from execution to final delivery and settlement to ensure smooth transaction flow.
• Coordinate international shipments of copper concentrates, cathodes, and other copper products across various origins and destinations to meet delivery schedules.
• Oversee shipping, freight, warehousing, inventory, and delivery schedules to ensure trades comply with contractual terms and operate efficiently.
• Collaborate closely with traders to support the commercial execution of physical copper transactions and provide relevant market and operational insights.
• Coordinate with mines, smelters, refineries, warehouses, shipping companies, inspection firms, and other counterparties to facilitate trade operations.
• Review and manage trade documentation including contracts, letters of credit, invoices, bills of lading, certificates of analysis, and certificates of origin to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Monitor shipment schedules, vessel nominations, loading and discharge operations, and identify potential operational delays to mitigate risks.
• Manage inventory positions and warehouse movements by coordinating receipts, releases, and transfers to maintain accurate stock levels.
• Work closely with finance, risk, compliance, and trade control teams to ensure accurate and timely settlement of trades.
• Identify and resolve operational issues such as quality or quantity discrepancies, demurrage, claims, documentation problems, and delivery delays proactively.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders across the physical supply chain to enhance collaboration and operational effectiveness.
• Continuously identify and implement opportunities to improve operational processes, controls, and efficiency to support business growth.

Skills

Copper trading

Logistics management

Stakeholder management

Contract knowledge

Mandarin

Job description

Company Overview

VITOL ASIA PTE LTD serves as the Asia Pacific regional headquarters. We specialize in trading crude oil, petroleum, and related products across global markets.

Job Summary

Manage the end-to-end physical operations of copper trades, ensuring efficient execution, delivery, and settlement while coordinating international shipments and collaborating with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete physical operations of copper trades from execution to final delivery and settlement to ensure smooth transaction flow.
• Coordinate international shipments of copper concentrates, cathodes, and other copper products across various origins and destinations to meet delivery schedules.
• Oversee shipping, freight, warehousing, inventory, and delivery schedules to ensure trades comply with contractual terms and operate efficiently.
• Collaborate closely with traders to support the commercial execution of physical copper transactions and provide relevant market and operational insights.
• Coordinate with mines, smelters, refineries, warehouses, shipping companies, inspection firms, and other counterparties to facilitate trade operations.
• Review and manage trade documentation including contracts, letters of credit, invoices, bills of lading, certificates of analysis, and certificates of origin to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Monitor shipment schedules, vessel nominations, loading and discharge operations, and identify potential operational delays to mitigate risks.
• Manage inventory positions and warehouse movements by coordinating receipts, releases, and transfers to maintain accurate stock levels.
• Work closely with finance, risk, compliance, and trade control teams to ensure accurate and timely settlement of trades.
• Identify and resolve operational issues such as quality or quantity discrepancies, demurrage, claims, documentation problems, and delivery delays proactively.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders across the physical supply chain to enhance collaboration and operational effectiveness.
• Continuously identify and implement opportunities to improve operational processes, controls, and efficiency to support business growth.

Preferred competencies and qualifications

• Experience of 8+ years in physical commodity operations, preferably with significant exposure to copper or base metals.
• Strong understanding of the physical copper supply chain and international logistics to manage complex trade operations effectively.
• Experience managing physical trades across multiple jurisdictions and counterparties to navigate regulatory and operational complexities.
• Detailed knowledge of shipping, warehousing, customs, documentation, and trade settlement processes to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Experience working closely with physical commodity traders in trading houses, mining companies, smelters/refiners, or major industrial organizations to support commercial objectives.
• Strong understanding of commercial contracts and operational implications of key contractual terms to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.
• Ability to manage multiple trades simultaneously in a high-pressure, time-sensitive environment while maintaining accuracy.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills to foster collaboration and resolve issues effectively.
• High attention to detail and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational issues.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of how operational decisions impact trading profit and loss.
• Mandarin language skills are advantageous due to China’s role in the global copper supply chain.