Job Description
Trader, Rubber
Department: Petrochemicals
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Reporting To: General Manager of Petrochemical
Compensation: €0 / year
Who We Are
PetroChina Company Ltd is a state-owned business and the publicly listed arm of the China National Petroleum Corporation “CNPC”, one of the world’s largest global commodity trading companies. PetroChina International a subsidiary of PetroChina Company Ltd, serves as the international trading arm and was founded in 2002 based in Beijing and has setup multiple subsidiaries and offices in 20+ countries, including three major Oil and Gas Trading and Operation Hubs in Houston (covering the Americas), London (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Singapore (Asia).
PetroChina International is actively exploring international markets, developing value added trades, extending the value chain, innovating in trade models, and continuously enhancing trade methods.
The Company’s trading activities are now covering more than 100 kinds of products and through merger, acquisition, investment and equity participation, several business centres have been formed and integrated with storage facilities, refining capabilities, oil tanks and terminals as well as transportation capabilities in global main energy producing areas. All these investments provide strong support for the steady development of the Company’s international businesses.
Who You Are / Your Next Challenge
Our Petrochemicals department continues to be a key strategic growth area for PetroChina International, focused on expanding market participation, developing new trading flows and strengthening our position across international petrochemical markets.
We are now searching for a commercially minded, entrepreneurial and results-driven Rubber Trader to join our Petrochemicals team in Rotterdam Reporting directly to the General Manager of Petrochemical, you will play a leading role in the marketing, trading and business development of both PetroChina-origin synthetic rubber products and natural rubber products across international markets. This includes products such as SBR, BR, SSBR, SBS and related elastomers, with a particular focus on Europe, Africa and Turkey whilst supporting broader global market growth.
The successful candidate will be responsible for driving trading volumes, margin generation and market share growth, whilst building long-term relationships with customers, distributors and end-users. In addition, there will be opportunities to expand PetroChina's market footprint, develop new customer channels and, subject to experience, explore trading opportunities within the butadiene and wider C4 value chain.
Current State of Play
The Petrochemicals division continues to expand its international footprint, supported by PetroChina's established global trading platform, logistics network and strong balance sheet. Working closely with colleagues across Europe and headquarters in China, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to leverage existing supply chains whilst developing new commercial opportunities across synthetic and natural rubber markets.
This role offers significant exposure to global trading activities, market development and strategic customer engagement, providing the opportunity to help shape the continued growth of PetroChina's rubber trading business across multiple international regions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the marketing, trading and business development of synthetic and natural rubber products across international markets.
- Drive sales volumes, profitability and market share growth across Europe, Africa, Turkey and other strategic markets.
- Develop and maintain strong commercial relationships with customers, distributors, converters, compounders and tyre manufacturers.
- Identify and develop new customer channels to expand PetroChina's market presence.
- Execute physical trading activities including contract negotiation, pricing, order management and delivery execution.
- Work closely with logistics and operations teams to ensure efficient product delivery and customer service.
- Manage warehousing and inventory strategies to optimise stock levels and commercial performance.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activities, supply-demand dynamics and pricing developments, providing market intelligence and strategic recommendations.
- chain and marketing teams at headquarters in China to align commercial strategies and execution.
- Subject to experience, develop opportunities within butadiene and related C4 products to complement the synthetic rubber portfolio.
- Support paper trading and hedging activities where appropriate to manage market risk and optimise profitability.
- Represent PetroChina at industry conferences, exhibitions and customer meetings across international markets.
What we’re looking for / Skills that will help you in the role
- Significant experience in sales, trading or business development within synthetic rubber, elastomers, polymers or related markets.
- Sound product knowledge covering areas such as SBR, BR, NBR, SBS and related synthetic rubber products.
- Proven experience within international import/export trading environments.
- Solid understanding of European, African and Turkish rubber markets and customer dynamics.
- Familiarity with key downstream sectors including tyre manufacturing, automotive and industrial rubber products.
- Experience in butadiene trading or a strong understanding of the C4 value chain would be highly advantageous.
- Understanding of price risk management, hedging strategies and broader trading principles preferred.
- Good knowledge of REACH and EU compliance requirements.
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation capability and relationship management skills.
- Self-motivated, entrepreneurial and capable of working independently within a multicultural international environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and proficient at building relationships at all levels and influencing a range of senior stakeholders, challenging decision making to help drive continuous improvement.
- Previous work experience in a small, high-performance team with a collaborative approach, can-do attitude.
- Bachelor's degree (or above) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, International Trade, Business or a related discipline.
Please note: This is a full-time, permanent position based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The role will involve regular travel across Europe, Africa and Turkey to support customer development, supplier engagement and market expansion activities. This role offers a relocation package and/or VISA sponsorship.
What you get in return
This role offers a competitive salary (commensurate with experience), plus a comprehensive benefits package including Insurance coverage; Private Medical (for self and family); Travel (for self and family); Dental (for self); Life Assurance, Gym membership, Pension contributory by Company, up to 30 days holiday allowance per annum rising after service (in addition to bank holidays), discretionary performance related bonus and more.
Interested?
If the role sounds like you, we encourage you to apply directly via the company career website.
Start Date Position is available to start immediately (we are flexible on notice period for the right candidate).
Strictly No Recruitment Agencies; any submission of CV’s without prior request/ engagement from PetroChina International / Petroineos will not be deemed as an introduction and therefore will not warrant an introduction fee.
