Head of China Trading

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of Trading - China to establish and lead our trading activities across the Chinese market. Based in either London or Switzerland, this individual will be responsible for developing the company's China strategy, building a local commercial presence, recruiting and leading a dedicated China-focused team, and driving profitable growth across key commodity markets. This is a highly strategic role requiring deep knowledge of the Chinese market, an established industry network, and the ability to build a trading franchise from the ground up. 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 Commercial Trading Leadership Develop and execute the company's China trading strategy. Identify and develop new trading opportunities across China. Build and maintain relationships with key customers, suppliers, processors, importers, exporters, and strategic partners. Lead commercial negotiations and manage high-value trading relationships. Drive revenue growth and profitability across the China trading portfolio. Establishing the China Platform Create and implement a scalable market-entry and growth strategy. Build the company's reputation and presence within the Chinese market. Identify potential office locations, strategic partnerships, and expansion opportunities where appropriate. Act as the primary commercial representative for China-related activities. Team Building Leadership Recruit, develop, and manage a dedicated China-focused trading team. Build capabilities across trading, execution, logistics, and market intelligence. Establish performance objectives and accountability frameworks. Mentor and develop future trading leaders within the business. Market Intelligence Strategy Monitor market developments, trade flows, pricing dynamics, and regulatory changes affecting China. Provide regular market intelligence and strategic recommendations to senior management. Identify emerging opportunities and risks across the region. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Operations, Logistics, Risk, Finance, Compliance, and Legal teams. Ensure smooth execution of trading activities and adherence to company policies. Support the development of new products, markets, and customer segments. Stakeholder Representation Represent the company at industry conferences, customer meetings, and trade events. Develop strong relationships with industry participants, trade associations, and key market stakeholders. Essential Requirements Native Mandarin Chinese speaker or native-level Mandarin proficiency. Fluent English (written and spoken). Significant experience in international commodity trading. Proven track record of developing and managing commercial relationships within China. Demonstrated experience building and leading trading teams. Strong understanding of international trade, logistics, supply chains, and risk management. Existing network within the Chinese commodity trading sector. Ability to travel regularly to China and other international markets. 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 #J-18808-Ljbffr