Job Title
Senior Trader – Agricultural Commodities (Feedlot By-Products)
Description
We are seeking a senior, experienced agricultural commodity trader to manage and grow a trading book focused on agricultural commodities and feedlot by-products (including maize gluten, wheat bran, oilcake meal, molasses, brewer's grain, citrus pulp and related feed inputs).
The role is office-based in Potchefstroom, North West, reports to the Trading Director and is a permanent full-time position with a proposed start date of 1 October 2026.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to deal flow, revenue and margin from an early stage and to bring an established client base and market network within South Africa.
Responsibilities
- Deal origination and execution: source, negotiate and conclude purchase and sale transactions with farmers, feedlots, millers, processors and end-users.
- Client base development: maintain and grow a portfolio of clients and counterparties, leveraging an existing network and actively prospecting for new business.
- Risk management: manage price exposure through SAFEX futures and options hedging in accordance with Agriserve's risk policy and mandate limits.
- Market intelligence: monitor local and international commodity markets, weather patterns and supply/demand fundamentals to inform trading strategy.
- Credit risk management: manage counterparty and debtor risk in conjunction with CGIC cover and the finance department.
- Logistics coordination: negotiate freight, storage and handling terms, working closely with Agri Wheels (Pty) Ltd and third-party service providers.
- Deal administration: ensure accurate, timely and complete deal records, contracts and confirmations are maintained on the company's CTRM system.
- Compliance: ensure all trading activity complies with SAFEX rules, Graan SA requirements and other applicable regulatory and contractual obligations.
- Relationship management: maintain strong working relationships with financiers, silo operators, industry bodies and key stakeholders across the value chain.
- Reporting: report regularly to the Trading Director on trading book performance, open positions, margins and profitability.
- Mentorship: provide guidance and support to junior traders and interns as required.
- Ethical conduct: uphold Agriserve's standards of honest, ethical dealing in all farmer and client interactions.
Qualifications
- Typically 8+ years’ demonstrable experience trading agricultural commodities, with specific, verifiable experience in feedlot by-products.
- An established, transferable client base and network within the South African agricultural trading sector; candidates must be able to demonstrate an existing book of business.
- Sound working knowledge of SAFEX futures and options with practical hedging experience.
- Applicable B degree (e.g. Agricultural Economics, Finance, Commerce, Agribusiness Management or related field).
- Valid driver’s licence and own reliable transport; willingness to be based at and work from Agriserve's Potchefstroom office.
- Clear credit and criminal record and willingness to undergo standard pre-employment screening.
Skills
- Strong negotiation and deal-closing ability.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with ownership for trading-book performance.
- Disciplined risk management and commercial judgement.
- Resilience under market pressure and volatility.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Numeracy and strong financial acumen.
Remuneration
The role offers a market-related basic salary together with a performance-based commission incentive.
Commission is structured as 30% of Net Profit generated by the trader's book annually (net profit defined as gross trading profit less direct costs attributable to the book, including the trader's basic salary and other specified direct costs). Full commission terms will be recorded in a separate written commission agreement.
. Skillset Required: Agricultural commodities trading, Feedlot by-products trading, Client relationship management, SAFEX futures and options, Hedging strategies, Market analysis, Risk management, Credit risk management, Logistics coordination, Contract administration, Regulatory compliance (SAFEX and Graan SA), Financial analysis, Commercial acumen, CTRM systems, Microsoft Excel, Stakeholder communication, Mentoring, Freight and storage negotiation, Counterparty due diligence, Debtor management, Report writing
