An oil trading and shipping operation in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Trading Operator to support the end-to-end execution of physical oil product trades and the voyages that serve them, working under the Operations Manager to follow vessels and cargoes from nomination through to discharge.
About the Role — Trade Execution & Voyage Operations
Core Function: Executing the operational plan for assigned cargoes across logistics, terminals and manufacturing sites
Documentation: Issuing nominations, laycan confirmations, berth bookings and loading/discharge instructions
Voyage Tracking: Monitoring vessel positions, ETAs, laytime, demurrage and bunker variance
Reconciliation: Carrying out month-end stock and inventory reconciliations across terminals and vessels
Career Opportunity & Trading Operations Growth
Cross-Functional Exposure: Working closely with Trading, Shipping, Finance and Risk teams
Commercial Knowledge: Building expertise in quality parameters, Letters of Credit and trade recaps
Systems Skills: Hands-on exposure to CTRM/ETRM systems and voyage trackers
Career Growth: Build toward independent ownership of cargoes and voyages within trading operations
Position Overview
This Trading Operator role involves executing the optimised operational plan for assigned cargoes, issuing and following up nominations and loading/discharge instructions, appointing surveyors and inspectors, tracking vessel positions and monitoring voyage performance, managing bunker requirements for Time Charter ships, checking and circulating commercial documentation, liaising with Finance on invoicing, maintaining complete operational records, analyzing performance data through the CTRM system, and coordinating with Trading and Risk teams on operational exposure.
Why This Role Matters: As Trading Operator, you keep physical oil trades moving accurately from nomination through discharge, apply detailed knowledge of voyage operations, laytime and demurrage to protect commercial outcomes, maintain the operational records that support invoicing, claims and compliance, coordinate across Trading, Shipping, Finance and Risk to keep every stakeholder informed, and build toward independent ownership of cargoes and voyages within a fast-paced, 24/7 trading and shipping environment.
Key Responsibilities
Trade Execution & Cargo Movements
- Execute the optimised operational plan for assigned cargoes, resolving deviations with logistics and terminals
- Issue and follow up nominations, laycan confirmations, berth bookings and loading/discharge instructions
- Appoint and instruct surveyors and inspectors, following sampling and testing through to results
- Carry out month-end stock and inventory reconciliations, investigating and clearing variances
Shipping & Voyage Operations
- Track vessel positions, ETAs and operational situations daily for assigned voyages
- Monitor voyage performance: off-hire, laytime status, demurrage accrual and bunker variance
- Manage bunker requirements and fixing for Time Charter ships
- Participate in the morning operational stand-up, presenting cargo and voyage status
Documentation, Trade Finance & Invoicing
- Check and circulate commercial documents: B/L, certificates of quality/quantity/origin, insurance and customs
- Liaise with Finance to ensure correct invoicing and secondary cost capture
- Assist with freight and third-party invoice checks, flagging discrepancies
Systems, Data & Risk Coordination
- Maintain organised operational records and deal files for invoicing, claims and compliance
- Analyze performance data via the CTRM system and prepare draft operational reports
- Liaise with Trading on operational risks and notify Risk of pricing basis changes
- Provide operational cover for colleagues’ cargoes and voyages during absence
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, Shipping or Business
Experience Requirements
- 2-4 years’ experience in trading operations or shipping operations
- Exposure to month-end stock inventory reconciliations
- Exposure to oil products, cargo movements and vessel operations in a trading or shipping environment
Essential Skills
- Working knowledge of voyage and time charter party terms, Incoterms, laytime, demurrage and freight claims
- Strong Excel and data handling skills; exposure to a CTRM/ETRM system
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, managing multiple cargoes and voyages
- Clear written and verbal communication in English with counterparties, agents and senior management
- Ability to work under pressure and adapt to a fast-changing operational environment
About This Trading Operator Opportunity
This Trading Operator role offers hands-on exposure to the full lifecycle of physical oil product trades, from nomination through discharge, within a fast-paced 24/7 trading and shipping environment. The position builds toward independent ownership of cargoes and voyages, combining trade execution, voyage operations, documentation and risk coordination across the UAE’s active oil trading sector.
Career Excellence: Build expertise in oil trade execution and voyage operations within the UAE’s trading and shipping sector.
Who Should Apply?
- Oil Trading Operations Professionals: With 2-4 years in trading or shipping operations
- Shipping/Voyage Operators: Familiar with laytime, demurrage and charter party terms
- CTRM/ETRM System Users: Comfortable with trading and risk management systems
- Maritime/Supply Chain Graduates: With a relevant Bachelor’s degree and strong Excel skills
- Detail-Oriented Multi-Taskers: Able to manage multiple cargoes and voyages simultaneously
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