Houston Commercial Graduate Programme

About the Programme

Our two-year Commercial Graduate Programme begins in September 2027 with a one-month remote summer school—an intensive foundation in commodity trading, risk management, and Trafigura's business—designed to ensure you contribute meaningfully from day one. This is followed by two 6-month structured rotations on Deals Desk and Operations, before concluding with a final 12 months as a Trader Assistant embedded directly on a trading desk, specialising in a specific commodity line.

You won't be shadowing. You'll be doing. From early in the programme, you'll be building real commercial relationships with counterparties, traders, and internal teams, developing the trust and credibility that underpin every successful career at Trafigura. Throughout the programme, each participant is sponsored by a trading desk, providing direct exposure to live commercial decision-making and a clear line of sight to a trading career from day one. We'll give you all the support you need to succeed, but the drive to learn, grow, and take ownership of your development has to come from you.

Requirements

• Quantitative degree (minimum 2:1 or international equivalent) in finance, economics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or related STEM field
• Fluent in English; additional languages are a real asset
• Maximum of 2 years post-graduate work experience—prior internship experience in commodities, trading, banking, or a related field is a plus
• Genuine interest in the commodities industry—curious about global markets, geopolitical events, and the forces that shape supply and demand
• Globally mobile and open to working across different geographies and cultures
• Strong numerical and analytical aptitude, and comfort working with data
• Commercially sharp, with a structured approach to problem-solving
• Able to build strong, lasting commercial relationships with counterparties, colleagues, and clients across cultures and geographies
• Resilient and composed under pressure
• Proactive, self-directed, and genuinely driven to perform

Note: This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.

Rotations

Deals Desk (6 months)

The Deals Desk is an independent control function at the heart of Trafigura's trading operations—responsible for accurate mark-to-market valuation, daily P&L, and risk and exposure reporting. Working closely with commercial, middle, and back-office teams, you'll ensure timely trade capture and precise management of trading positions across our global systems.

• Reviewing and verifying trades and trade terms with rigour and accuracy
• Producing daily P&L and exposure reports used by senior traders and management
• Liaising with traders, operations, and finance to reconcile positions
• Investigating and resolving trade discrepancies independently and at pace

Operations (6 months)

Operations coordinates the physical movement and delivery of commodities across global markets, ensuring contracts are executed efficiently, profitably, and in full compliance. This team sits where commercial intent meets real-world execution. You'll develop a deep, practical understanding of how complex global supply chains actually work.

• Managing vessel or land logistics and end-to-end documentation
• Liaising directly with counterparties and terminals worldwide
• Tracking cargo movements and inventories in real time
• Ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements

Trader Assistant (12 months)

As a Trader Assistant, you'll sit alongside the trading team working in real time in a live commercial environment. You'll support traders in managing and optimising their book, analysing market movements and pricing opportunities, preparing trade proposals and commercial summaries, and coordinating with operations, finance, and risk teams to ensure seamless execution.

• Develop a sharp understanding of your commodity market
• Build relationships with counterparties
• Contribute actively to commercial discussions

This is where you develop the commercial instincts, market knowledge, and professional credibility required to trade independently.

Our Culture

Trafigura is a meritocracy. Progression is based on performance, accountability is direct, and the people around you are among the most talented professionals in the market. We operate with a flat hierarchy and move fast. Decisions get made, problems get solved, and outstanding people get noticed—for those with the drive and motivation to learn, the opportunity is unrivalled.