Junior Trader – Fertilizer

UpMan Placements; Singapore; On-site; SGD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

UpMan Placements is seeking a driven Commercial & Operations specialist for fertilizer, at the intersection of trade execution, logistics, and market research. The role supports daily trade operations, shipping coordination, and trade documentation across SE Asia.

You will assist in market intelligence gathering and market development, map buyers and exporters, and maintain CRM data. Strong English, attention to detail, and multitasking in a fast-paced trading environment are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, International Trade, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in physical commodity operations or international trade preferred.
• Fresh graduates with a strong commercial mindset will be considered.
• Analytical and detail-oriented with excellent English communication.
• Proactive, agile, and able to multitask in a high-stakes trading environment.
• Strong MS Office skills for data tracking and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Draft and manage trade contracts, sales confirmations, and shipping documents.
• Coordinate shipping with shipowners, charterers, inspectors, and port agents.
• Prepare LC applications and bank documents for trade finance.
• Track vessels, calculate laytime/demurrage, and resolve issues.
• Monitor regional fertilizer supply-demand dynamics and price trends.
• Map buyers, producers, and import/export statistics.
• Assist in preparing market analyses and targeting strategies.
• Maintain CRM and inquiry databases with bids and offers.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Multitasking

Proactiveness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, International Trade, Maritime Studies, or related discipline

Tools

MS Office

Job description

A driven and analytical Commercial & Operations specialist for fertilizer. This role sits at the intersection of trade execution, logistics, and market research and development. The person will assist in daily trade operations, shipping coordination, and trade documentation, while actively assisting in market intelligence gathering and market development across the SE Asia region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Trade Operations & Logistics

• Contract & Document: drafting, checking, and managing trade contracts, sales confirmations, supplementary agreements, and shipping documents.
• Shipping & Logistics Coordination: Coordinate with shipowners, charterers, inspection agencies, and port agents to ensure smooth execution of dry bulk and bagged shipments.
• LC & Trade Finance Support: preparing and reviewing Letter of Credit (LC) applications, documents for negotiation, bank guarantees, and other trade finance instruments.
• Operational Troubleshooting: Track vessel line-ups, monitor laytime/demurrage calculations, and assist in resolving day-to-day logistical or operational hiccups.

Commercial & Market Development Support

• Market Intelligence: Monitor regional supply-demand dynamics, price trends, and trade flows for key fertilizers.
• Competitor & Customer Tracking: Map out key buyers, local producers, and import-export statistics.
• Business Development Assistance: Assist in preparing analyzing import/export, filtering and targeting customers.
• Database & CRM Management: Maintain and update tracking databases for inquiries, pricing indications, bids, and offers across target countries.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, International Trade, Maritime Studies, or a related discipline.
• Experience Level:
• Preferred: 1 – 2 years of hands-on experience in physical commodity operations, or international trade (fertilizers, or agricultural commodities).
• Fresh Graduates / Juniors: Exceptional recent graduates with a strong commercial mindset, and a genuine eagerness to learn will also be strongly considered.
• Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Exceptional attention to detail, especially when handling contractual terms, figures, shipping documents, and trade compliance.
• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English (fluency in an additional Southeast Asian language, such as Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia/Malay, or Mandarin, is a strong plus for regional correspondence).
• Agility & Proactiveness: Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, high-stakes trading environment where priorities shift quickly.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong command of MS Office (Excel for data tracking and modeling, Word for drafting agreements, PowerPoint for presentations).

Personal Attributes

• High energy, curious, and eager to master the complexities of international trade finance, maritime logistics, and global commodity markets.
• Resilient problem-solver who takes ownership of operational challenges.