Trafigura

Market Risk Manager – Oil products

Geneva, Switzerland Full time

Main purpose

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Market Risk Manager for Oil Products. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of relevant experience as a trader or risk manager specializing in the trading of physical oil products at a reputable physical commodities trading house. This role requires an in-depth understanding of physical oil markets, pricing mechanisms, logistics, quality and blending, regulations, market dynamics, contractual terms, and market participants. The successful candidate will be responsible for aggregating Trafigura's exposure, identifying concentrated risks, and reporting these to the Head of Market Risk. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with front office teams, senior management, and contributing to the development of risk management systems.

This role will report to Head of Market Risk Physical Oil Products and will sit with the broader Market Risk team in Geneva to facilitate interaction with global trading desks and IT teams which support the Market Risk Management organization. 

Key responsibilities

  • Risk Aggregation & Reporting:

    • Aggregate and analyze Trafigura’s exposure across physical oil products in a meaningful way.

    • Identify and highlight categories of concentrated risk, reporting findings to the Head of Market Risk.

    • Set up risk limits and monitor their usage, ensuring alignment with Trafigura’s risk appetite.

  • Market Risk Analysis:

    • Design and implement risk scenarios including historical analysis, ad hoc scenarios, and stress tests.

    • Ensure accuracy in Value at Risk (VaR) calculations and provide detailed P&L breakdowns and explanations.

    • Perform continuous monitoring and assessment of market dynamics, pricing mechanisms, and trading strategies.

  • Collaboration & Communication:

    • Maintain strong interactions with the front office, providing risk insights and ensuring alignment on risk management strategies.

    • Liaise with senior management to communicate risk positions, potential exposures, and strategic recommendations.

    • Work closely with the IT and systems teams to enhance risk management tools, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the market.

  • Risk Management Systems Development:

    • Contribute to the development and refinement of risk management systems, ensuring robust data integration and analytical capabilities.

    • Utilize SQL, Python, and AI to navigate and enhance the existing risk management landscape.

    • Ensure systems are capable of providing accurate, real-time data for decision-making and reporting purposes.

  • Regulatory Compliance & Risk Governance:

    • Stay informed on global regulations affecting the oil market, including environmental policies, sanctions, and trade restrictions.

    • Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and internal policies.  Lead all aspects of the establishment and maintenance of strong contractual risk management processes.

Required qualifications

  • Minimum of 10 years of experience as a trader or risk manager in physical oil products at a reputable physical commodities trading house.

  • Deep knowledge of physical oil markets, including types of oil products, pricing mechanisms, logistics, quality, blending, and market dynamics.

  • Strong understanding of contractual terms, credit risk, and the upstream and downstream oil market participants.

  • Proven experience in aggregating exposure, managing concentrated risks, and reporting to senior management.

  • Proficiency in SQL and Python, and other relevant tools for risk management and system development.

  • Good knowledge of financial derivatives is a must-have.

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with front office teams and senior management.

  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to design and implement complex risk scenarios and stress tests.

  • Highly motivated with a collaborative mindset and a keen appetite for system enhancement and risk management innovation.

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience in developing and enhancing risk management systems in a trading environment.

  • Familiarity with Trafigura’s business model and risk management approach.

Attributes for success

  • Ability to transverse risk data landscape and translate into actionable risk management in practice

  • Comfortable working across a wide array of items while also able to focus on specific topics as needed

  • Effective at building consensus around change initiatives to propel business forward

Department overview

The Market Risk Management team within Trafigura is responsible for not only the identification and quantification of market risks across oil products, power & gas and metals but also the effective risk management of those exposures – this role’s specific focus will be on the physical oil products line.

Equal opportunity employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse workforce! We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or handicap, disability, or any other legally protected status.