Power Scheduling Analyst

Trafigura; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Trafigura in Houston is seeking a Power Trading Operations professional to execute day-to-day physical and financial power trades, ensuring timely scheduling, nominations and settlements in line with market rules and trader instructions.

You will collaborate with ISO/RTOs, internal teams and external counterparties to ensure efficient execution, system improvements and risk mitigation, while maintaining accurate logs and supporting outages and desk activities.

Job description

Company

At the heart of global supply, Trafigura connects vital resources to power and build the world. Through our Oil & Petroleum Products, Gas and Power, Bulk and Metals and Minerals commercial divisions, we use infrastructure, logistics and financing to connect producers and consumers, using our deep understanding of the markets we serve to make supply more efficient, secure and sustainable.

We are committed to responsible business practices and believe that the supply of energy and raw materials is essential for growth, development and prosperity. We are accelerating our investments in renewable energy, including hydrogen, ammonia and other low-carbon energy technologies required for the transition to a low carbon future. And we work with our stakeholders to improve environmental and social standards, bringing greater trust and transparency to global supply chains.

A career at Trafigura offers a gateway to working on some of the most exciting challenges of a rapidly changing world – from helping to optimise supply chains to developing infrastructure and new markets. In a culture that is founded on openness and energy, our people work as part of a multinational, globally connected team and thrive in a fast-paced environment where they can nurture and commercialise bold ideas. Everyone has a voice and is empowered to collaborate across geographies and disciplines to help shape our business and the wider world. We know the importance and value of diversity in our business and we invest in attracting, developing and retaining talent from all backgrounds.

Founded in 1993, Trafigura is one of the largest independent employee-owned commodities groups in the world with over 13,000 people working in 48 countries.

Overview Of The Role

Executes day-to-day operations for physical and financial power trades generated by the trading desk. Ensures timely and accurate scheduling, nominations, and settlements in line with market rules and trader instructions. Maintains close collaboration with internal teams, system developers, and external counterparties to ensure efficient execution, system improvement, and risk mitigation.

Main Responsibilities

• Supports day-ahead and real-time trading activities including trade capture validation, ISO/RTO scheduling, and market settlement processes.
• Acts as primary operational contact for internal and external stakeholders (ISOs/RTOs, counterparties, utilities).
• Participates in daily trade review and desk ops calls to resolve discrepancies or outages impacting trade execution.
• Coordinates planned and unplanned outage information, incorporating impacts into scheduling and availability updates.
• Ensures E-tags, NERC tags, and other operational data are submitted accurately and on time for physical delivery.
• Maintains Workday records as per HR policy.
• Covers for team members during vacation/illness as assigned by TL.
• Supports desk compliance with ISO/RTO rules, FERC regulations, and internal policies.
• Tracks and ensures alignment between trade capture systems (e.g. Endur, Allegro, spreadsheets) and ISO settlement systems.
• Coordinates onboarding of new counterparties in collaboration with Legal, Credit, and Contracts teams.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of ISO-specific processes, rules, penalties, and settlement timelines.
• Trains junior staff and supports cross-training across desks (e.g. ERCOT ops covering PJM).
• Reviews cost allocations for accuracy, ensuring trades are correctly attributed to PnL and risk books.
• Escalates risks or irregularities in trade flow or data integrity promptly to TL/RoM.
• Monitors imbalance charges, uplift fees, and settlements to minimize exposure and maximize commercial efficiency.
• Assists with the monthly close process by providing accrual estimates and reconciliation support.
• Maintains up-to-date logs for capacity tags, ancillary services, CRRs/FTRs, and congestion hedges.
• Participates in system upgrades, automation projects, and improvement initiatives across platforms (e.g. ETRM, tagging systems, ISO portals).
• Collaborates closely with in-house development teams to improve or build operational tools and internal platforms that support power scheduling, trade lifecycle tracking, reporting, and exception handling. Provides detailed user feedback and helps prioritize development roadmap based on desk needs.
• Supports business continuity planning; participates in drills or real event responses (e.g. grid reliability events, weather-driven spikes).
• Advises traders on operational constraints, grid congestion risks, or locational delivery challenges.

Professional Expectations

• Operates with attention to detail, high reliability, and full understanding of market timelines (e.g., 15-min real-time intervals, day-ahead bid windows).
• Maintains positive relationships with ISO/RTO operators and market participants.
• Mentors junior operators, providing training materials and coaching on ISO rules and system use.
• Leads by example with strong adherence to compliance, market rules, and company ethics (FERC, NERC, ABC).
• Provides clear weekly reporting to TL and RoM outlining key issues, volumes scheduled, penalties avoided/incurred, and system anomalies.
• Raises process inefficiencies or IT system enhancements that could improve speed, accuracy, or automation.
• Proactively identifies operational gaps or staffing needs during desk growth or market expansion.
• Preferred: Demonstrated experience in coordinating, optimizing, or operating power assets such as generation units, batteries, or flexible loads to support trading strategies and real-time obligations.

Key Systems / Tools

• ISO Portals (e.g. PJM eMarket, ERCOT, MISO, CAISO, NYISO, IESO, AESO, OASIS)
• ETRM systems OATI (would be beneficial)
• E-tagging systems
• NERC / NAESB documentation
• In-house operational tools and reporting platforms
• Communication tools (e.g. Slack, MS Teams, OMS)

Key Stakeholders

• Bench Traders
• Risk, Middle Office
• Legal & Contracts
• Settlements and Invoicing
• Credit
• ISO/RTO Market Operators
• Transmission Providers
• TL / RoM / CoM
• In-House Dev / Systems Team