Cocoa Trader

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cocoa Trader to manage physical cocoa sourcing and trading activities, develop supplier and customer relationships, and support profitability through market analysis and disciplined risk management.

The successful candidate will coordinate physical positions, pricing and hedging within approved limits, working closely with procurement, processing, sales, logistics and finance teams to meet commercial and operational requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and trade cocoa beans and cocoa products in line with business requirements and trading mandates.

• Develop relationships with origin suppliers, exporters, processors, trading houses and customers.

• Negotiate purchase and sales contracts, including pricing, quality specifications, shipment schedules and payment terms.

• Analyse cocoa supply and demand, crop conditions, origin developments, trade flows and market prices.

• Identify trading opportunities and provide recommendations on sourcing, pricing and market positioning.

• Manage physical trading positions and associated futures hedges within approved authority and risk limits.

• Monitor price exposure, basis risk, currency exposure and trading performance.

• Coordinate cocoa procurement with processing requirements, inventory targets and customer commitments.

• Work closely with operations and logistics teams to ensure timely contract execution and delivery.

• Resolve quality discrepancies, shipment delays and contractual issues with relevant stakeholders.

• Coordinate with credit and finance teams on counterparty limits, payment arrangements and financing requirements.

• Ensure accurate trade capture, position reporting and contract records.

• Work with sustainability and compliance teams to meet responsible-sourcing and traceability requirements.

• Prepare market updates, position reports and trading-performance analysis for management.

Requirements

• Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Agriculture or a related discipline.

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in cocoa trading, procurement or commercial commodity management.

• Strong understanding of cocoa beans, cocoa products, quality specifications and origin markets.

• Practical knowledge of physical commodity contracts, pricing structures and trade execution.

• Experience with cocoa futures, hedging and position management.

• Strong analytical ability and understanding of supply-and-demand fundamentals.

• Established relationships within the cocoa supply chain would be advantageous.

• Experience working with cocoa processors or chocolate manufacturers would be beneficial.

• Strong negotiation, communication and relationship-management skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and commodity trading or risk-management systems.

• Able to make timely commercial decisions while maintaining disciplined risk controls.

• Willing to travel internationally and engage with counterparties across different time zones.