Trading Assistant - Private Global Metals Trading Company

Hi,

I was hoping to ask if anyone might be able to guide me on how best to prepare for my upcoming interview. The process may include an in-person exam as well as multiple interviews, so I want to make sure I’m focusing on the right areas. Aside from what is already outlined in the job description, I’d like to know what additional knowledge, skills, or insights would be most valuable to highlight in preparation for this role. Below is an overview of the position to give some context:

Position Summary
The Trading Assistant is part of the front office physical trading team, working directly with the trader to add commercial value through various support functions, including tracking and analyzing commercial risks and exposures inherent in physical commodities trading. Responsibilities include monitoring market exposures and hedges, tracking contract execution and optionality, reporting and analyzing profit and loss, and supporting key administrative and special projects. The reports and insights provided by the Trading Assistant are critical in helping traders make informed commercial decisions. This role offers a strong opportunity to learn and contribute by being fully immersed in the fast-paced global trading process.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, report, and analyze P&L, risks, and exposures resulting from daily physical and derivative trading activities, ensuring proper execution of daily hedging.
• Clearly explain and justify the economics of trades and strategies, including how market changes impact positions.
• Produce daily results and concise commentary for traders and management.
• Track physical commodity movements, coordinating with financing banks, shipping and title documents, transfers, and risk management.
• Identify arbitrage opportunities by aligning market data with logistics costs.
• Monitor daily mark-to-market exposures from derivatives across exchanges including the LME, CME, and SHFE.
• Draft and execute trade-related commercial documents, such as purchase/sale contracts, amendments, OTC instruments, and price confirmations.
• Collaborate with legal, logistics, credit, risk, finance, and international offices to maximize trade value and ensure compliance with reporting needs.
• Take ownership of data integrity in trading systems to support commercial, financial, and legal requirements.
• Partner with IT to improve reporting efficiency.
• Conduct analysis and manage special projects to support opportunities in a dynamic global trading environment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.