Cargo Trader

Peninsula Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Peninsula Group in Houston seeks an experienced Oil Products Trader focused on origination, execution, and optimization of physical oil trades. You will identify arbitrage opportunities and maximize profitability through informed trading decisions.

Collaborate with Chartering, Hedging Desk, Procurement, and Operations to optimize assets and trade economics, while maintaining alignment with risk policies and counterparty relationships.

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; persuasive and influential with quick decision-making.
• Exceptional teamwork and communication across functions with high ownership.
• Ambitious, self-motivated and committed to continuous learning.
• High computer literacy including MS Office and CRM systems.
• Business-level English; additional languages desirable.

Responsibilities

• Execute and manage physical oil trades from origination through delivery in line 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 trading strategies.
• Collaborate with Chartering and internal teams to optimize shipping assets and trade economics.
• Work with Hedging Desk to manage pricing risk and optimize margins.
• Share market intelligence to maximize global trading opportunities.
• Ensure all trades comply with internal risk management and credit policies.
• Foster collaboration with Procurement and Operations for shared value.

Skills

Physical oil trading

Global oil markets

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Teamwork & communication

Ownership & accountability

MS Office & CRM

English language

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.