Metals Trader

We are looking for a Base Metals Trader to join our team in Zurich
, with a clear focus on the physical markets.

This is a role for someone who understands that physical trading is about more than watching a screen and taking a position. It is about knowing the material, understanding where it is needed, finding the right counter party, structuring the deal and making sure the economics still work when the cargo actually moves.

The core focus will be copper and aluminium
, with particular exposure to:

• Copper and aluminium by-products and secondary materials
• Other complementary physical base metal flows as the business develops

You will take ownership of physical trading opportunities from idea through to delivery. That means identifying supply and demand dislocations, developing new sources and outlets, negotiating commercial terms, structuring transactions and working closely with operations to ensure trades are executed properly.

You will be expected to develop a genuine market network across producers, fabricators, processors, industrial consumers and other trading counter parties — and, importantly, turn those relationships into repeatable physical business.

• Building and managing a portfolio of physical base metal trades
• Sourcing material and developing new customer channels
• Pricing and negotiating spot, term and structured transactions
• Understanding product specifications, premiums, conversion economics and physical flows
• Working with logistics and operations on delivery, storage, quality and execution
• Managing exposure and working with the wider team on LME and other pricing/hedging considerations
• Tracking market developments and identifying where physical market inefficiencies can create trading opportunities
• Expanding the product and geographic scope of the desk over time

We are less interested in a particular job title and more interested in what you have actually traded.

You will ideally have several years of experience in physical non-ferrous metals
, with meaningful exposure to copper and/or aluminium products.

Experience with
billets, wire rod, secondary materials or by-products would be particularly relevant.

You should be commercially minded, comfortable negotiating directly with counter parties and capable of making decisions without needing everything mapped out in advance.

• Know the difference between trading a position and trading a physical business
• Have an established network — or a proven ability to build one
• Like getting into the detail of specifications, premiums, freight and deal economics
• Are comfortable owning a number from first conversation through to final settlement
• Can spot an opportunity before it becomes obvious to everyone else
• Are entrepreneurial enough to develop something rather than simply maintain an existing book