Polymer Trader Africa (North & West)

Phénicia Conseil is supporting a leading international polymers trading and distribution group in the recruitment of an experienced

Polymer Trader

Africa (North & West), Casablanca M/F

This strategic role will drive commercial expansion across North and West Africa, managing physical trading flows, market development, and key customer relationships in some of the region’s most dynamic polymer markets.

Role Overview

The Polymer Trader will be responsible for the origination, negotiation, and execution of physical polymer trades across North and West Africa. Operating within the group’s global trading division, the role covers the full commercial cycle:

• sourcing from global producers and traders,
• pricing and deal structuring,
• contract negotiation,
• logistics coordination,
• credit and risk management.

He/She  will serve as the company’s primary commercial interface with converters, distributors, and industrial buyers across markets such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and neighbouring countries. This position requires a strong combination of market intelligence, commercial drive, negotiation skills, and operational discipline.

Key Responsibilities

1. Commercial Trading & Deal Execution

• Coordinate with the procurement center to source PE, PP, PVC, PS from global suppliers.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of converters, importers, and distributors.
• Negotiate pricing formulas, Incoterms, and payment terms (LC, CAD, OA).
• Execute back-to-back and triangular trades to major African ports (Casablanca, Dakar, Abidjan, Lagos, Tema).
• Monitor open positions, manage price exposure, and support hedging strategies.

2. Market Intelligence & Business Development

• Track regional demand, supply gaps, competitor activity, and import trends.
• Monitor international indices (ICIS, Platts, ChemOrbis) and regional spot prices.
• Identify new market-entry opportunities and build a strong commercial pipeline.
• Conduct regular in-country visits and represent the company at trade fairs and industry events.

3. Credit & Risk Management

• Assess counterparty creditworthiness and operate within approved credit limits.
• Manage LCs, bank guarantees, and documentary collections.
• Report trading positions, margins, and receivables to senior management.

 Geographic Scope

North Africa: Morocco · Algeria · Tunisia · Egypt · Libya

West Africa: Côte d’Ivoire · Senegal · Ghana · Nigeria · Benin · Togo · Cameroon

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 3–5+ years in physical commodity trading, ideally polymers or petrochemicals.
• Experience with international traders active in African markets.
• Proven P&L contribution and independent deal execution.
• Strong understanding of polymer grades and end-use applications.
• Experience with trade finance instruments (LCs, CAD, collections).
• Knowledge of Incoterms, shipping documentation, and freight structures.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and deal-closing ability under pressure.
• Analytical mindset with solid understanding of price curves and import data.
• Entrepreneurial, resilient, and comfortable in complex markets.
• High cultural adaptability across multilingual environments.
• Languages: English required; French strongly preferred; Arabic is an asset.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, Excel, and CRM tools.

Education

• Degree in Economics, Business, International Trade, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Certifications in commodity trading or trade finance are an advantage.

How to Apply

Please send your English CV to: thierry.grosso@recrutement-phenicia.fr