Business Developer - Oil and Petroleum Products

About the Role

The Business Developer will spearhead Trafigura's commercial growth and broaden its footprint in oil trading within the Middle East and North Africa. This position centers on identifying, assessing, and executing new opportunities relating to crude oil and petroleum products. The role involves forging stronger links with national oil companies, regional refiners, and other influential market participants. Stationed in Dubai, the role collaborates closely with trading desks worldwide to leverage Trafigura's comprehensive capabilities including credit facilities, structured trade finance, and investments in infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Scout and evaluate fresh business opportunities in MENA for crude oil and petroleum products, aligning efforts with company strategy and establishing a solid commercial pipeline.
• Plan and enforce strategic business development initiatives aimed at increasing market share and revenue growth.
• Originate, negotiate, structure, and close physical trading deals, optimally applying credit lines, trade finance solutions, and logistical and storage infrastructure.
• Collaborate effectively with trading, risk, operations, finance, and legal teams to guarantee transaction efficacy and compliance.
• Drive contributions to desk profit and loss through effective deal-making and structuring.
• Collect and analyze market intelligence regarding oil distribution, pricing dynamics, supply-demand factors, and competitor activities.
• Stay updated on geopolitical events and regulatory changes impacting oil markets in the region.
• Assess creditworthiness of counterparties and evaluate potential business viability.
• Identify investment opportunities in infrastructure relevant to the trading operations.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with national oil companies, refiners, traders, and other relevant market entities across MENA.
• Lead commercial negotiations, ensuring deals provide robust value for Trafigura and its partners.
• Maintain a visible regional presence by participating in industry events and networking forums.
• Represent the company with professionalism, adhering strictly to the corporate Code of Conduct.
• Coordinate with global trading desks to align regional opportunities with larger strategic goals.
• Partner with credit, structured finance, infrastructure investment, and legal teams to craft innovative commercial solutions.
• Collaborate within the Dubai office for maximized commercial outcomes.
• Monitor business development performance relative to targets and key performance indicators.
• Analyze the effectiveness of deals and market trends and report regularly to senior management.
• Ensure adherence to company risk policies, trading rules, and anti-bribery and corruption laws.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 3 to 5 years' experience in oil trading, business development, or related commercial roles within the MENA region.
• In-depth understanding of crude oil and petroleum product markets including pricing, logistics, and flow dynamics.
• Proven experience in identifying, structuring, and executing commercial transactions in the oil sector.
• Strong commercial insight and ability to manage complex deal structures.
• Fluent in Arabic and English (native or C2 level proficiency, oral and written).
• Demonstrated ability to nurture relationships with senior regional stakeholders.
• Knowledge of credit facilities, structured trade finance, and commodity trading fundamentals.

Preferred Background

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Finance, or a related discipline; Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience collaborating with national oil companies and regional refiners in an international commodities trading setting.
• Background in oil operations, risk management, or infrastructure investment.
• French language skills are an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Culturally adept in MENA's business environment able to build trust among diverse stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with strong commercial drive and discipline in opportunity execution.
• Comfortable working autonomously in dynamic and uncertain commercial contexts.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to influence across cultures and hierarchical levels.
• High ethical standards and dedication to responsible business conduct.

Additional Information

The Oil & Petroleum Products division is foundational to Trafigura’s commercial operations, trading crude oil and refined products worldwide. This position reports to regional commercial leadership from its base in Dubai and engages closely with senior management involving complex high-value transactions.

Equal Opportunity: Trafigura champions diversity and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion without discrimination on any legally protected basis.