Culture differences - Glencore, Vitol, Trafigura, Mercuria, etc.
An opportunity has arisen for me at 2 of the above companies. I have dealt with them from time to time as I am in commodities trading already, albeit with a different type of shop (so I would be joining as a lateral).
I am trying to make my choice based on a number of factors, one being what the culture/fit is like within the different places. Is it all much of a muchness? By culture I mean not just business wise (difference between investment viewpoints, etc.) but also just in terms of the workplace.
In case relevant, it is a front office position in EMEA and with one of the energy desks (rather than metals/minerals).
Any input appreciated. Thank you.
Interested as well, though the usual posters seem to be busy these days!
I have heard offhand from one of my colleagues that vitol is one of the more "humane" shops and gives a great work life balance. Apparently trafigura is grinds you out. Idk anything about the other shops. Maybe I am dead wrong though...
Do not work for Trafigura there culture is horrible, Vitol has prob the best culture for a trading shop but remember that these shops expect high performance and if you cant perform you will be axed. Vitol pays fairly and has a very good culture that emphasizes having more humble traders. Do not know too much about Glencore or Mercuria cultures but heard they arent bad either.
Thanks for the insight. Can I ask, what makes you say that about Trafi's culture? The impression I have gotten (again, as an outsider and occasional counter party) is that they are a bit more cut-throat (impatient) than the rest of their peers when it comes to evaluating performance...
100% very cutthroat (but to an extent all these trading shops are) and a blame culture and you are going to want to hide your mistakes. If you want to get to a trader seat you basically have to steal one from someone else there. Also they underpay you compared to the other trading shops.
I’ve heard trafi grinds people out and high turnover rate.
vitol is a solid group over there, think a fairly good work balance. Mercuria is a solid group as well.
a lot of pressure to succeed at trafi, maybe a little less at vitol and a little less at mercuria.
Interesting about Mercuria. I expect their investment approach and general culture may be influenced somewhat by their investment banking roots.
Trafi definitely has a rough rep culture-wise. The founder was apparently a very mean dude.
RIP of course ;). Do you happen to have a view on Glencore?
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