Head of Trading

You are a seasoned trading professional sought to lead the international procurement and trading of edible oils for a growing business. As the Head of Trading, your role will involve sourcing crude and refined oils from global markets, managing price risk, and optimizing landed costs to ensure a seamless supply chain. Your expertise in global market fluency, strategic foresight, and hands-on execution capability will be essential for this high-impact leadership role. Your key responsibilities will include: - International Sourcing & Trading: - Lead procurement of edible oils from key origins such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina, Ukraine, etc. - Identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships including global producers, trading houses, and brokers. - Market Intelligence & Price Forecasting: - Monitor global commodity trends, trade policies, weather patterns, and geopolitical developments impacting edible oil prices. - Provide short- and long-term market outlooks to guide procurement timing and decisions. - Risk Management & Hedging: - Develop and execute hedging strategies using futures, options, and OTC instruments. - Coordinate with finance and treasury teams to manage forex exposure and working capital impact. - Logistics & Supply Chain Coordination: - Ensure timely execution of import contracts including shipping, freight negotiations, port clearances, and inland movement. - Collaborate with the SCM and Manufacturing teams to align procurement volumes with production plans and demand forecasts. - Regulatory & Commercial Compliance: - Ensure full compliance with international trade laws, import documentation, and FSSAI requirements. - Handle letters of credit, insurance, shipping documents, and customs processes end-to-end. - P&L Accountability: - Own and drive the trading P&L for the edible oil category, ensuring cost efficiency, inventory optimization, and margin protection. - Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management: - Lead a team of traders, analysts, and commercial staff. - Coordinate with CXOs, business units, and external partners to ensure transparent, timely, and data-driven decisions. Qualifications & Experience required for this role: - MBA/PGDM in International Business, Supply Chain or related fields. - 15+ years of experience in global trading and procurement of edible oils or agri-commodities. - Strong network in international trading circuits, especially Southeast Asia, South America, Black Sea region, etc. - Deep understanding of commodity markets, forex, trade finance, and import logistics. Key competencies for success in this role include: - Commercial acumen and sharp negotiation skills. - Proactive risk management and decision-making under volatility. - Strategic thinker with hands-on execution mindset. - Strong leadership and cross-cultural collaboration skills. - Excellent communication and relationship management.,