Head of China Trading

Torq Commodities is seeking an entrepreneurial and highly commercial trading professional to establish, lead, and grow its China trading platform.This is a front-office trading role. The successful candidate will be responsible for building and managing a profitable trading book, developing strategic customer and supplier relationships, and creating a sustainable profit centre for the business in China.

We are specifically seeking a hands-on trader with a proven track record of originating, negotiating, and executing profitable physical commodity transactions and managing a significant P&L.

The successful candidate must be a native Mandarin speaker or possess native-level Mandarin proficiency, combined with fluent English, enabling them to operate effectively with Chinese counterparties while integrating with the company's international leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

Trading & P&L Ownership

• Develop and manage a profitable physical commodity trading book focused on China.
• Originate, negotiate, and execute physical commodity transactions.
• Own and manage trading profitability, margins, and risk exposure.
• Develop and maintain a portfolio of customers, suppliers, processors, importers, exporters, and strategic counterparties.
• Identify and execute new trading opportunities across China and international markets.
• Deliver measurable revenue and gross profit growth.

China Platform Development

• Build and establish Torq's China trading platform and market presence.
• Develop and execute the company's China trading strategy.
• Identify new markets, customers, suppliers, and product opportunities.
• Represent the company as the commercial lead for China-related activities.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and lead a China-focused trading team.
• Build capabilities across trading, execution, logistics, and market intelligence.
• Establish clear performance targets linked to profitability and growth.

Market Intelligence & Risk Management

• Monitor market developments, trade flows, pricing dynamics, freight markets, and regulatory developments.
• Provide trading recommendations and market intelligence to senior management.
• Identify commercial opportunities and trading risks.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with key market participants.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and customer meetings.

The primary measure of success in this role will be the ability to build a profitable China trading business through active trading, customer origination, supplier development, and sustained P&L generation.

Essential Requirements

• 10+ years of commodity trading experience with significant exposure to the Chinese market.
• Demonstrated track record of managing a profitable trading book.
• Direct responsibility for trading P&L and profitability.
• Strong existing network of customers and suppliers within China.
• Experience originating and executing physical commodity transactions.
• Proven ability to build and grow trading businesses.
• Strong commercial negotiation skills.
• Native Mandarin speaker or equivalent fluency.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within agricultural commodities, coffee, edible nuts, grains, soft commodities, energy products, or related sectors.
• Previous experience establishing a new trading desk, business unit, or regional operation.
• Experience working within an international trading house.