Trade Entry Analyst

Centalion; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Centalion seeks an entry-level Trade Entry Analyst to support traders with daily trade entry and reconciliation across trading books. You will enter, validate, and reconcile physical trades in the firm’s risk system, overseeing the full lifecycle from execution to delivery.

You will coordinate pricing with counterparties, work with Compliance and Middle Office on limits, and ensure accurate matching of EFPs to physical deals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy under repetitive and time-sensitive workloads.
• Demonstrated reliability, accountability, and follow-through.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with Traders, Management, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently once trained.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Support Traders with daily trade entry and reconciliation across assigned trading books.
• Enter, validate, and reconcile physical trades in the firm’s trading and risk system
• Monitor the full lifecycle of trading activity, from trade execution through delivery, settlement, and final reconciliation. Work with counterparties to price any deals with no agreed upon future price as product approaches delivery.
• Review physical EFP deals to confirm agreed-upon pricing at time of trade and promptly submit to the exchange when pricing is finalized. Archive all conversations with CPs and the exchange for future access in case of audit.
• Coordinate with counterparties to price deals that are executed without a fixed price as delivery approaches.
• Work closely with Compliance and Middle Office to ensure timely entry and exchange limit usage.
• Ensure all cleared EFPs are accurately matched to their corresponding physical deals to reflect correct exposure and risk.
• Maintain detailed records and archive communications with counterparties and exchanges to support audit and compliance requirements.
• Perform daily pricing and exposure reconciliations and communicate discrepancies to Traders, Risk, and Operations (Ops).
• Assist with special projects, including pipeline reconciliations, payment reviews, and process improvements.
• Work closely with Compliance, Middle Office, and IT to ensure timely trade capture, exchange limit monitoring, and system efficiency.
• Provide clear, concise ad-hoc explanations to senior stakeholders, including Head of Risk, Trading Management, and Managing Directors.
• Adapt to proprietary risk systems, evolving trading workflows, and continuous process enhancements in a dynamic environment.

Skills

Attention to detail

Reliability

Clear communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (all majors considered)

Tools

Excel

Job description

• Support Traders with daily trade entry and reconciliation across assigned trading books.
• Enter, validate, and reconcile physical trades in the firm’s trading and risk system
• Monitor the full lifecycle of trading activity, from trade execution through delivery, settlement, and final reconciliation. Work with counterparties to price any deals with no agreed upon future price as product approaches delivery.
• Review physical EFP deals to confirm agreed-upon pricing at time of trade and promptly submit to the exchange when pricing is finalized. Archive all conversations with CPs and the exchange for future access in case of audit.
• Coordinate with counterparties to price deals that are executed without a fixed price as delivery approaches.
• Work closely with Compliance and Middle Office to ensure timely entry and exchange limit usage.
• Ensure all cleared EFPs are accurately matched to their corresponding physical deals to reflect correct exposure and risk.
• Maintain detailed records and archive communications with counterparties and exchanges to support audit and compliance requirements.
• Perform daily pricing and exposure reconciliations and communicate discrepancies to Traders, Risk, and Operations (Ops).
• Assist with special projects, including pipeline reconciliations, payment reviews, and process improvements.
• Work closely with Compliance, Middle Office, and IT to ensure timely trade capture, exchange limit monitoring, and system efficiency.
• Provide clear, concise ad-hoc explanations to senior stakeholders, including Head of Risk, Trading Management, and Managing Directors.
• Adapt to proprietary risk systems, evolving trading workflows, and continuous process enhancements in a dynamic environment.

Job Title

Trade Entry Analyst

Contract Type

Permanent

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

• Support Traders with daily trade entry and reconciliation across assigned trading books.
• Enter, validate, and reconcile physical trades in the firm’s trading and risk system
• Monitor the full lifecycle of trading activity, from trade execution through delivery, settlement, and final reconciliation. Work with counterparties to price any deals with no agreed upon future price as product approaches delivery.
• Review physical EFP deals to confirm agreed-upon pricing at time of trade and promptly submit to the exchange when pricing is finalized. Archive all conversations with CPs and the exchange for future access in case of audit.
• Coordinate with counterparties to price deals that are executed without a fixed price as delivery approaches.
• Work closely with Compliance and Middle Office to ensure timely entry and exchange limit usage.
• Ensure all cleared EFPs are accurately matched to their corresponding physical deals to reflect correct exposure and risk.
• Maintain detailed records and archive communications with counterparties and exchanges to support audit and compliance requirements.
• Perform daily pricing and exposure reconciliations and communicate discrepancies to Traders, Risk, and Operations (Ops).
• Assist with special projects, including pipeline reconciliations, payment reviews, and process improvements.
• Work closely with Compliance, Middle Office, and IT to ensure timely trade capture, exchange limit monitoring, and system efficiency.
• Provide clear, concise ad-hoc explanations to senior stakeholders, including Head of Risk, Trading Management, and Managing Directors.
• Adapt to proprietary risk systems, evolving trading workflows, and continuous process enhancements in a dynamic environment.

Candidate Profile

This role is intentionally designed for early-career professionals or transitioning veterans who demonstrate strong foundational skills, discipline, and a desire to learn.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (all majors considered).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy under repetitive and time-sensitive workloads.
• Demonstrated reliability, accountability, and follow-through.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with Traders, Management, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently once trained.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred (Not Required)

• Internship, academic, or early professional exposure to finance, accounting, economics, logistics, supply chain, or operations.
• Basic understanding of financial or physical commodities trading concepts.
• Familiarity with Excel and data analysis (training provided).
• Exposure to trading, risk, or enterprise systems in an academic, military, or professional setting.
• Awareness of futures exchanges such as CME or ICE.

Ideal Traits for Success

• Highly motivated and curious, with a strong desire to learn trading and risk concepts.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Willing to ask questions, elevate issues early, and continuously improve processes.
• Comfortable supporting business needs during core hours and, when required, outside standard hours to resolve reconciliation issues.
• Veterans are encouraged to apply, as the role strongly aligns with skills in discipline, accountability, situational awareness, and procedural execution.

Our people make all the difference in our success.