Trading Assistant - Refined Base Metals

About Hartree Partners

Hartree Partners, LP is a prominent global merchant commodities firm that facilitates the flow of energy, metals, agriculture, and environmental products throughout the commodity supply chain by connecting producers and consumers. Established in 1997, the company is jointly owned by senior management and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP, and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. Hartree focuses on diverse commodities businesses including trading, asset investments, risk management, and advisory services, all supported by a centralized operating model ensuring robust governance and efficient execution.

Role Overview

The Refined Base Metals Trading Assistant will be based in the Singapore office supporting the APAC market’s trading desk. This role involves assisting with trade execution, coordinating cross-functional activities, conducting market analysis, and managing portfolio aspects across the physical metals trading lifecycle. Collaboration with global trading teams spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas will be essential to managing inter-regional metal flows and trading opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate trading positions, exposures, and profit and loss metrics.
• Create and upkeep pricing models, dashboards, and relevant market data.
• Support and coordinate trading activities across multiple regions.
• Work alongside departments such as Operations, Logistics, Finance, Credit, Legal, and Risk to ensure seamless trade execution.
• Prepare market updates and detailed management reports.
• Assist traders in sourcing, analyzing, and executing physical trade opportunities.
• Develop pricing analyses, commercial proposals, and profitability evaluations.
• Monitor market fundamentals, regional price premiums, freight, and arbitrage potential.
• Contribute to business development efforts and handle special commercial projects as needed.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Between 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in physical commodity trading, ideally in roles like Trading Analyst, Commercial Analyst, or Senior Trade Operations with strong commercial insight.
• Experience in refined base metals trading, especially aluminum and/or copper, is strongly preferred.
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving abilities with advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Strong commercial acumen with great attention to detail.
• Capability to thrive in a fast-paced trading environment managing several priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Mandarin is advantageous to support interactions with Chinese-speaking clients and partners.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Prior exposure supporting a physical metals trading desk.
• Understanding of LME pricing mechanisms, regional premiums, Incoterms, and global supply chains.
• Familiarity with CTRM/ERP platforms (such as Endur, Aspect, Allegro, SAP) and data analytics tools like Power BI or Python.
• Experience using AI technologies and Large Language Models.

What the Role Offers

• Work on a regional trading desk with broad access to global physical base metals markets.
• Close collaboration with experienced traders across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
• Diverse exposure to commercial trading, market evaluation, and international physical transactions.
• A dynamic and entrepreneurial environment fostering professional growth.