Business Developer - Oil and petroleum products

Main Purpose

The Business Developer is responsible for driving commercial growth and expanding Trafigura's oil trading presence across the Middle East and North Africa. The role owns the identification, evaluation and execution of new business opportunities across crude oil and petroleum products, with a mandate to deepen relationships with national oil companies (NOCs), regional refiners and key market participants. Based in Dubai and working closely with trading desks in Geneva and globally, the successful candidate will leverage Trafigura's full suite of capabilities including credit, structured trade finance and infrastructure investments to strengthen the company's position across one of the world's most strategically important oil regions.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Commercial Execution

• Identify, evaluate and pursue new business opportunities across crude oil and petroleum products in MENA, building a robust commercial pipeline aligned with Trafigura's strategic objectives

• Develop and implement strategic business development plans to grow market share and revenue

• Originate, negotiate, structure and close physical trading transactions, utilising credit facilities, structured trade finance, and logistics and storage infrastructure where appropriate

• Coordinate with trading, risk, operations, finance and legal teams to ensure efficient and compliant deal execution

• Contribute directly to desk P&L through profitable deal origination and structuring

Market Intelligence & Analysis

• Gather and analyse intelligence on regional oil flows, pricing dynamics, supply-demand fundamentals and the competitive landscape

• Monitor geopolitical developments and regulatory changes impacting oil markets across MENA

• Evaluate counterparty creditworthiness and the commercial viability of potential opportunities

• Identify and assess infrastructure and investment opportunities that support trading activities

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with NOCs, refiners, traders and other key market participants across MENA

• Lead commercial negotiations and structure deals that deliver value for Trafigura and its counterparties

• Maintain a strong regional presence through regular travel and participation in industry events, conferences and networking forums

• Represent Trafigura externally with professionalism and in full accordance with the company's Code of Conduct

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Align regional opportunities with broader trading strategies through close coordination with desks in Geneva and globally

• Partner with structured trade finance, infrastructure investment, credit and legal teams to develop and execute innovative commercial solutions

• Work with regional colleagues across the Dubai office to maximise commercial synergies

Performance & Compliance

• Track business development performance against targets and KPIs

• Analyse deal performance, market trends and competitive positioning, reporting findings regularly to senior management

• Ensure full compliance with Trafigura's risk management policies, trading procedures and applicable anti-bribery and corruption legislation

Required Qualifications

Minimum 35 years of experience in oil trading, business development or related commercial roles in the MENA region

Strong understanding of crude oil and petroleum products markets, including pricing mechanisms, logistics and trade flows

Proven track record of identifying, structuring and executing commercial transactions in the oil sector

Strong commercial acumen with the ability to structure complex deals

Arabic and English language proficiency required (native or equivalent C2 level, oral and written)

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across the region

Understanding of credit, structured trade finance and commodity trading principles

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Finance or a related field; Master's degree preferred

Experience working with NOCs and regional refiners in a multinational commodities trading environment

Background in oil operations, risk management or infrastructure investment

French language skills an advantage

Attributes for Success

Culturally fluent in MENA business practices, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder environments

Entrepreneurial and commercially driven instinctive in identifying opportunities, disciplined in executing them

Comfortable operating with autonomy in fast-moving, ambiguous commercial situations

Skilled negotiator with strong influencing capabilities across cultures and seniority levels

High integrity, with an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and responsible business practices

Department Overview

The Oil & Petroleum Products division is one of Trafigura's core commercial businesses, trading crude oil and refined products globally. This role is based in Dubai, reporting into regional commercial leadership, and offers significant exposure to senior management and complex, high-value transactions across the full oil value chain.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Trafigura is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in a diverse workforce! We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices on the basis of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.