Torq Commodities is seeking an entrepreneurial and highly commercial trading professional to establish, lead, and grow its China trading platform.This is a front-office trading role. The successful candidate will be responsible for building and managing a profitable trading book, developing strategic customer and supplier relationships, and creating a sustainable profit centre for the business in China.
We are specifically seeking a hands-on trader with a proven track record of originating, negotiating, and executing profitable physical commodity transactions and managing a significant P&L.
The successful candidate must be a native Mandarin speaker or possess native-level Mandarin proficiency, combined with fluent English, enabling them to operate effectively with Chinese counterparties while integrating with the company's international leadership team.
RequirementsKey ResponsibilitiesTrading & P&L Ownership
- Develop and manage a profitable physical commodity trading book focused on China.
- Originate, negotiate, and execute physical commodity transactions.
- Own and manage trading profitability, margins, and risk exposure.
- Develop and maintain a portfolio of customers, suppliers, processors, importers, exporters, and strategic counterparties.
- Identify and execute new trading opportunities across China and international markets.
- Deliver measurable revenue and gross profit growth.
- Build and establish Torq's China trading platform and market presence.
- Develop and execute the company's China trading strategy.
- Identify new markets, customers, suppliers, and product opportunities.
- Represent the company as the commercial lead for China-related activities.
- Recruit, develop, and lead a China-focused trading team.
- Build capabilities across trading, execution, logistics, and market intelligence.
- Establish clear performance targets linked to profitability and growth.
- Monitor market developments, trade flows, pricing dynamics, freight markets, and regulatory developments.
- Provide trading recommendations and market intelligence to senior management.
- Identify commercial opportunities and trading risks.
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key market participants.
- Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and customer meetings.
The primary measure of success in this role will be the ability to build a profitable China trading business through active trading, customer origination, supplier development, and sustained P&L generation.
BenefitsEssential Requirements
- 10+ years of commodity trading experience with significant exposure to the Chinese market.
- Demonstrated track record of managing a profitable trading book.
- Direct responsibility for trading P&L and profitability.
- Strong existing network of customers and suppliers within China.
- Experience originating and executing physical commodity transactions.
- Proven ability to build and grow trading businesses.
- Strong commercial negotiation skills.
- Native Mandarin speaker or equivalent fluency.
- Experience within agricultural commodities, coffee, edible nuts, grains, soft commodities, energy products, or related sectors.
- Previous experience establishing a new trading desk, business unit, or regional operation.
- Experience working within an international trading house.
