Job Description

COMMODITY TRADER

• My client is seeking an experienced Commodity Trader to join a high-calibre trading team based in Cape Town. This role is suited to commercially sharp traders with a strong track record in physically traded commodities – excluding grains
• This is an opportunity to trade in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment where insight, discipline, and execution matter

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute short-term trading strategies across South Africa, balancing opportunity with disciplined risk management
• Analyse market trends, pricing dynamics, and emerging developments to drive informed trading decisions
• Provide clear market commentary and performance insights to senior leadership
• Actively monitor market conditions and adapt strategies in real time
• Manage and optimise self-directed trading portfolios to deliver consistent profitability
• Build and maintain strong relationships across the commodity value chain
• Collaborate with traders, risk, and operations teams to improve execution and efficiency
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and market requirements
• Produce accurate, timely reports on trading activity and performance

Required Skills

• 3-5+ years’ experience trading a physically traded commodity (unfortunately Candidates with grain-only trading backgrounds will not be shortlisted)
• Proven profitability managing your own trading book
• Strong industry network and established market relationships
• Deep knowledge of the South African commodity market
• Excellent negotiation, planning, and execution skills
• Commercially astute, analytically strong, and decisive
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and build trust
• Leadership capability and a proactive, problem-solving mindset
• Post-graduate qualification advantageous but not essential