Senior Trading Manager

British Sugar is a home-grown success story and one of the most efficient and competitive beet processers in the world. Around 3,500 farmers based in East Anglia and the East Midlands supply our four advanced manufacturing sites with eight million tonnes of sugar beet every year. We, in turn, make this in to over 1 million tonnes of sugar, serving customers across the UK, Ireland and increasingly growing commercially in the EU and world sugar markets.

Job Purpose

The Senior Trading Manager is a critical role responsible for leading the sugar trading strategy and ensuring the commercial success of key business channels, including imports, exports, and index-linked contracts. The role requires a deep understanding of global and European sugar markets, strategic decision-making skills, and the ability to build strong relationships across global networks. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving profitability, enhancing market intelligence, and developing commercial strategies in alignment with business objectives.

Accountabilities 

Market Analysis & Strategy

Conduct World Market and EU Market analysis to inform forecasting strategies and tactical initiatives.  Provide expert market insight and understanding to support strategic business decisions. Identify and capitalise on commercial opportunities based on deep market intelligence.   

Trading & Commercial Strategy

Lead the sugar trading strategy and oversee business unit spending in excess of £30m. Develop and execute hedging recommendations for index-linked contracts. Drive commercial strategy for index-linked contracts, ensuring sound execution of hedging decisions. Own the export sales process and manage new customers, working closely with government agencies where applicable.  

Contracting & Supplier Management 

Lead contract discussions with pan-European and global multinational customers. Build and manage strategic trading relationships across Europe and globally. Own the imported sugars business, including sourcing new suppliers and managing P&L accountability.   

Capability Development & Team Leadership

Act as the subject matter expert on futures trading, coaching and upskilling the wider sales team. Develop the team's capability in futures positions and market trend analysis.  Serve as a role model for company values and behaviours.  

Strategic Expansion & Market Growth

Identify and develop new geographical markets, leveraging a strong strategic mindset. Influence at the highest levels, up to CEO level, to drive market expansion.  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

Extensive experience in global commodity trading, ideally within the sugar or agricultural markets Strong expertise in hedging strategies and index-linked contract management  Proven ability to develop and execute commercial trading strategies.  Excellent relationship-building skills with a global network of customers, suppliers, and industry stakeholders. Ability to analyse and interpret market trends to inform trading decisions. Strong financial acumen with P&L ownership experience. High level of resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving ability.  Exceptional leadership skills, with a track record of coaching and capability development.  Willingness to travel extensively, including across Europe and long-haul destinations.  

Role model leadership and live our values 

Clear direction

Clarity on how my role & area impact business strategy. Priorities are defined & communicated to the team. Establishing KPIs to drive performance with the right behaviours. Ensuring objectives are aligned to business targets.

Empowered & Enabled

Ensure there is clarity on decision-making. Defining and living clear accountabilities. Trusting my team to deliver. Ensuring my team has the capability needed to be successful.

Feedback

Reaching in. Openly celebrating success. Reinforcing positive behaviours. Providing constructive feedback. Having quality performance & development discussions.

Staying safe

Keep myself and my team safe. Challenge unsafe behaviours and actions.  Encourage my team to speak up. Be visible and show a genuine interest in safety. Empower my team to find safe and simple ways to make things happen. 

Driving to Action

Be clear about the actions and behaviours expected. Remove waste and improve efficiency. Be cost concious. Hold others accountable for decisions that help us achieve our targets.

Working together

Always with the customer in mind spot and act on any negative actions. Encourage cross-functional teamworking. Develop relationships across team to create win/win solutions. Use my network to share and champion ideas. 

Respecting Each Other

Listen to others. Demonstrate respectful behaviours that enable high performance. Treat people fairly and encourage different views. Ask people from other functions for their input and advice. 

Open & Flexible 

Challenge barriers and find ways to remove them. Coach my team to overcome barriers and find solutions. Find new and better ways to do things