Role Overview

We have an exciting opportunity to join ED&F Man Commodities’ growing cotton trading business as a Cotton Trader based in India. The role offers the chance to manage and develop a physical cotton trading book, drive commercial growth and build strong relationships across global supply chains. Working closely with trading, operations, finance and origination teams, the Cotton Trader will identify and execute trading opportunities, deliver value to customers and contribute to the continued expansion and success of the cotton business through market insight, commercial acumen and effective risk management.

Position Title: Cotton Trader

Business area: Cotton

Location: Mumbai, India

Position Type: Full-time

Schedule: Hybrid

Business Overview

ED&F Man Cotton driven by an ambition to become a leading trader of raw cotton, serving customers around the world. The breadth of ED&F Man Commodities existing operations provides ED&F Man Cotton with offices in major cotton producing regions and expertise in operating sustainable containerised supply chains, underpinned by robust risk management procedures.

ED&F Man is owned by Hartree Partners, LP a leading global merchant commodities firm facilitating the flow of energy, metals, agriculture, and environmental products across the full commodity supply chain, connecting producers and consumers. Hartree was founded in 1997, is jointly owned by senior management and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP, and employs around 5,000 individuals worldwide.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage and grow a physical cotton trading book, with accountability for margin, volume and trade execution performance.
• Execute trading strategies in line with business objectives and guidance from trading leadership.
• Negotiate purchase and sale contracts directly with ginners, exporters, mills, merchant and other market participants within approved trading parameters.
• Analyse domestic and international market fundamentals, crop conditions, supply and demand dynamics, pricing trends, freight economics and customer requirements; monitor and report on market developments, crop forecasts, government policies, export trends, competitive activity and industry developments to identify, capitalise on and support informed trading decisions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with cotton growers, ginning operations, textile mills, exporters and other key stakeholders across the Indian and global cotton supply chain, building a broad external network to enhance market intelligence and commercial opportunities.
• Drive business growth by identifying and securing new trading opportunities with prospective customers across India and export markets, while supporting retention of existing clients through regular engagement, high-quality service and commercially relevant offerings.
• Collaborate closely with operations, finance, logistics and risk teams to ensure efficient trade execution and excellent customer experience.
• Support the effective alignment of physical trading positions with logistics capabilities, financial objectives, and risk parameters.
• Work closely with IT and trading leadership to automate time-consuming and repetitive aspects of physical trading processes, improving efficiency and decision-making.
• Represent the business at industry events, conferences, trade associations and customer meetings to strengthen market presence and relationships.

Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of physical commodity trading experience is highly preferred, with direct experience in cotton trading strongly preferred.
• Experience working within Indian agricultural commodity markets and knowledge of cotton supply chains, procurement, logistics and export flows.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of risk management principles.
• Demonstrable experience of identifying, pursuing, and growing trading opportunities.
• Understanding of domestic and international cotton pricing mechanisms, quality specifications and trade practices.
• Excellent analytical, numeracy, communication and negotiation skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively within India and internationally as required.
• Demonstrable technological focus to drive results and efficiency gains for core accountabilities.
• Proactive, eager-to-learn and problem-solving mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic trading environment.

We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Our Offer

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

Our Values

Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship

Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities. Our values are underpinned by a set of essential behaviours, which form part of our performance management approach. Delivering on our objectives is very much about ‘what’ we do, but these essential behaviours also provide a guide and measure for ‘how’ we do things. Our performance essentials are Take Initiative, Self‐Management, Deliver Results and Collaboration.

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focussed on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

To apply you must have the right to work for the provided location.