Cargo Trader

Peninsula Group; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Peninsula Group is seeking an experienced Oil Products Trader in Houston to own the origination, execution, and optimization of physical oil trades. You will identify arbitrage opportunities, optimize trade economics, and collaborate with multiple internal teams to maximize profitability.

The role requires strong negotiation, market analysis, and cross-functional teamwork, with a focus on delivering value while adhering to risk policies and credit standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in physical trading of oil products (Residual and Distillate Fuels preferred).
• Deep understanding of global oil markets and arbitrage dynamics.
• Strong commercial acumen with strategic and analytical thinking.
• Excellent negotiation skills; decisive and influential.
• Exceptional teamwork and communication across functions; high ownership.
• Self-motivated with commitment to continuous learning.
• High computer literacy; proficient in MS Office and CRM systems.
• Business-level English; other languages desirable.
• Knowledge of fuel pools, feedstocks and blending parameters; ISO 8210 specs.

Responsibilities

• Execute and manage physical oil trades from origination through delivery, aligning with strategy and risk limits.
• Identify and capitalize on arbitrage opportunities across global markets.
• Maintain and expand relationships with suppliers, customers, and trading partners.
• Analyse market conditions, fundamentals, geopolitics, and market structure to inform strategies.
• Collaborate with Chartering and internal teams to optimize shipping assets and trade economics.
• Work with the Hedging Desk to manage pricing risk and margins.
• Share market intelligence to maximize global trading opportunities.
• Ensure trades comply with internal risk management and credit policies.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Operations when shared assets create value.

Skills

Oil trading

Physical trading

Arbitrage

Market analysis

Negotiation

Teamwork

CRM systems

MS Office

English communication

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office

Job description

Cargo Trader

Department: Supply & Trading

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Houston

Reporting To: Abby Javkin

Description

We are seeking an experienced Oil Products Trader to focus exclusively on the origination, execution, and optimization of physical oil trades. This role is centred on identifying and capturing market opportunities, leveraging arbitrage, and maximizing profitability through strategic trading decisions. While the trading function operates independently from Peninsula's Procurement function, collaboration is essential to optimize shared assets and deliver maximum value. Strong teamwork, communication, and relationship-building skills are critical to success.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute and manage physical oil trades from origination through delivery, ensuring alignment with company strategy and risk limits.
• Identify and capitalize on arbitrage opportunities across global markets.
• Maintain and expand relationships with counterparties, including suppliers, customers, and trading partners.
• Analyse and interpret market conditions, fundamentals, geopolitics, and market structure to inform trading strategies.
• Collaborate with Chartering and other internal teams to optimize shipping assets and enhance trade economics.
• Work closely with the Hedging Desk to manage pricing risk and optimize trade margins.
• Share market intelligence internally to maximize global trading opportunities.
• Ensure all trades comply with internal risk management and credit policies.
• Foster strong collaboration with Procurement and Operations teams when shared assets or synergies can create additional value.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• Proven experience in physical trading of oil products (Residual and Distillate Fuels preferred)
• Deep understanding of global oil markets and arbitrage dynamics.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to think strategically and analytically.
• Excellent negotiation skills; persuasive and influential, able to make quick, informed decisions.
• Exceptional teamwork and communication skills to collaborate across functions, combined with the ability to work independently with high ownership and accountability.
• Ambitious, self-motivated, and committed to continuous learning and development.
• High level of computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Office and CRM systems.
• Business-level English; additional languages desirable.
• Knowledge of residual and distillate fuel pools, feedstocks, and key parameters involved in blending, as well as ISO 8210 specifications.