The Commercial Programme

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Available in Geneva, Houston and Singapore, our two-year Commercial Graduate Programme begins with a one-month remote summer school course, followed by two six-month structured rotations within our Operations and Deals Desk teams and concluding with a final 12 months as a Trader Assistant on a trading desk specialising in a specific commodity line. 

Graduates work alongside and learn directly from some of the market’s top traders, developing the skills to perform confidently in a fast-paced trading environment. This structure offers broad exposure and practical understanding of the trade lifecycle, from the physical movement of commodities and risk management to pricing and commercial decision making, providing the skills and insight needed to build a successful trading career.

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“A gateway to unparalleled opportunities to build a long and successful career, guided and mentored by some of the best minds in the industry.”

Rufaro Mukogo

Oil Trader, Refining Team | 2012 Graduate Intake

Programme structure 

  • 1 month: Remote summer school course introducing trading fundamentals, risk management, operational flows and online trading simulations.
  • 2 x 6-month rotations: Deals Desk and Operations
  • 12-months: Trader Assistant role, offering practical experience at the heart of our commercial teams and trading activities. 
  • A final assessment for progression into a junior trading role.

Rotation departments

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Deals Desk

Responsible for accurate mark-to-market valuation, daily P&L and risk and exposure reporting, Deals Desk is an independent control function that works closely with commercial, middle and back office teams to ensure timely trade capture and effective management of trading positions in our trading and risk management systems.

Responsibilities include:
Reviewing and verify trades and trade terms
Producing daily P&L and exposure reports
Liaising with traders, operations and finance to reconcile positions
Investigating and resolving trade discrepancies

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Operations

Coordinates the physical movement and delivery of commodities, ensuring contracts are executed efficiently and profitably.

Responsibilities include:
Managing vessel or land logistics and documentation
Liaising with counterparties and terminals 
Tracking cargo movements and inventories
Ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements 

Recruitment process

Our recruitment process is designed to identify talented individuals whose skills, values and professional aspirations align with our Commercial Graduate Programme.  

Candidates are assessed across a range of areas, including technical ability, team and organisational compatibility and potential for growth, to ensure the selection of those best placed to thrive in our fast-paced environment. 

The recruitment process includes:

  • Step 1: Online application via our website (Workday portal), including CV submission and a short questionnaire.
  • Step 2: Screening interview with the Talent Acquisition team, including initial technical questions.
  • Step 3: Online numerical and logistical reasoning assessments and a team and organisational compatibility evaluation.
  • Step 4: First-round virtual interviews with managers and traders.
  • Step 5: Final in-person assessment centre, including interviews and practical tests.

Programme start date: September 2026

Programme locations

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Geneva

Nestled near the Alps on Switzerland's western border with France, Geneva is situated at the southern tip of one of the largest lakes in Europe with easy access to multiple ski resorts.

The city is recognised as a global hub for international diplomacy and banking and is admired for its cosmopolitan and multicultural feel. Our Geneva office is one of our largest global offices, with all our commercial teams and key functions represented. 

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Houston

Houston is the centre of the US oil industry and a vibrant, multicultural city. It offers world-class arts, sports and award-winning cuisine.

Our office is located in the heart of downtown Houston and is Trafigura’s primary headquarters for commercial teams working across North and Latin America.

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Singapore

Situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula with four major communities, Singapore offers a rich tapestry of traditions making it a melting pot of global influences, with a renowned culinary scene. Despite its skyscrapers, nearly half of its land area is lush greenery.

Our Singapore office is situated in the bustling Raffles Place financial district and serves as Trafigura’s Asia Pacific headquarters.

Other Graduate Programmes

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Development Programme

Created to develop tomorrow’s leaders within the key pillars of our business, this two-year programme develops expertise in key Middle Office functions such as Operations, Deals Desk and Trade Finance.

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Technical Programme

Built for curious innovators, this two-year programme gives exceptional talent the opportunity to apply their technical skills to develop transformative solutions to shape how our business operates in a fast-moving world.