Trade Finance Officer

Hartree Partners is a leading global merchant commodities firm specializing in energy, commodities and associated industries. The firm employs over 4,600 individuals worldwide.

Job Summary

The Finance Department is looking for a Trade Finance Officer with at least 5 years’ experience in Oil, LNG and Power, and strong technical skills to oversee the Company’s financing of physical trade flows in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The role will be based in the Hartree Partners London office and will report to the Senior Trade Finance & Treasury Manager.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• In conjunction with the Trade Finance Manager, responsible for handling the financing of the Group’s Oil, LNG and Power trade flows.
• Presentation, allocation and day-to-day handling of transactions with financing banks (bilateral and/or borrowing base facilities).
• Review, control and issuance of LCs and SBLCs.
• Managing and developing LCs and SBLCs confirmation and/or discounting capacity across the Group’s pool of banks.
• Work closely with the Oil, LNG and Power trading team as well as the Operations team to ensure good execution of existing and new transactions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
• Assess physical transactions for risk and compatibility with relevant financing facility, work closely with the Credit team to ensure that transactions take place within the Group’s credit risk appetite at all times.
• Responsibility for ensuring that all relevant Trade Finance and Treasury information is populated into the Trade Finance, Treasury and Credit systems and where appropriate, the ETRM systems.
• Assist in the development, improvement and documentation of Trade Finance policies and procedures, as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Finance, Economics, Mathematics or Engineering discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in an operational Trade Finance and/or Documentary Credit environment with an emphasis on the management of physical transactions and associated documentation.
• Experience in the Commodity sector, business acumen and specialized knowledge in Trade Finance, Documentary Credit for physical flows of Oil, LNG and Power.
• In-depth understanding of LCs, SBLCs, collections and guarantees, and the rules governing them (UCP, URC, URDG, ISP).
• Strong operational understanding of the Trade Finance function and how it supports a commodity trading platform.
• General knowledge and interest in Oil & Gas contractual framework, Incoterms, physical trading operations and shipping.
• Excellent communication and client service skills; demonstrated ability and desire to collaborate internally and externally in the service of providing top-tier service and delivering results.
• Ability to work under pressure, proactive attitude and analytical approach to work, with the capability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Must be technically proficient and adept with Trade Finance, Credit, Treasury, and financial reporting systems.
• Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills and/or coding skills.
• Good attention to detail and highly organized.
• Team player who can successfully build strong working relationships both upwards and downwards.
• CDCS qualification is beneficial.

Hartree Partners is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and are not discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Recruitment and employment decisions are based on merit and business needs. We will make reasonable adjustments for candidates and employees with disabilities.