Senior Biomass Portfolio Trader

12 Month Contract

The Fuel Procurement team is responsible for sourcing and physical trading all of Drax’s fuel requirements. This entails the purchasing and optimisation of fuel (coal and biomass) and specifically development of the global biomass market.

Specifically, responsible for maintaining and optimising the spot position (i.e. within a rolling 18-month period) for Drax Power Station and imports for Billington Bioenergy. Ensuring all transactions are executed in line with DPL policy. Acts as the coordinator for execution and value add optimisation between logistics, the spot team and lead regional buyers.

Main duties:

• Control, report and interrogate the physical fuel spot position to ensure minimum stocks are maintained as appropriate to realise the business needs – including the EN+ import position.
• Optimise the position to add value and/or reduce cost for the business by concluding spot transactions or optimising term contracts as appropriate.
• Monitor and advise of any risks to the position as they may emerge with mitigation recommendations.
• Negotiate commercial settlements with suppliers for contractual non-performance or quality breach.
• Negotiate sales and purchase contracts and execute trades to optimise Drax’s near-term (less than 1 year) fuel requirements and storage capabilities.Ensuring that such trades comply with the relevant risk management, sustainability and technical policies.
• Trading counterparty relationship management and regular reviews.
• Lead, motivate, train and develop staff to maintain an effective workplace, with appropriate cover for periods of absence, capable of meeting objectives and ensuring that positions are correctly maintained, administration and processes are monitored and reported accurately.
• Managing cross-functional interfaces – internally and externally to effectively develop viable, value adding initiatives and market development.
• Evaluate first stage due diligence criteria for suitability of new supply or offtake opportunities.
• Compliance with trading limits and delegations of authority including ensuring position is within limits and associated systems updated in required timescales.
• Provide required support, management and cover when Head of Biomass is absent

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

• Minimum: Degree level or equivalent

The job holder must have:

• Demonstrable physical trading or trading experience
• Good numerical skills and the ability to use these when making commercial decisions.
• The ability to execute and close contracts using proprietary contract evaluation models and publically available market analysis.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• IT literate.
• Communication, ability to lead the discussion and deliver clear concise responses.
• Listening, hear what the other party is saying and take note.
• Carry out all responsibilities in an honest, ethical and responsible manner.

The job holder should demonstrate the following core behaviour:

• Self-Starter, Can Do, Delivery Focused, Team Player.

The candidate must be:

• Highly motivated, hardworking, self-starter, committed and driven to delivering targets for the biomass business, capable of working under pressure and to fixed timescales.

It would be advantageous to have:

• Bulk commodities experience as a buyer/originator, preferably within the bulk grains and/or animal feed sectors.
• An understanding of logistics for national and international deliveries would be useful, although logistics support is provided within the team.
• Ability to operate in a rapidly changing work environment.

How to apply

Please apply by submitting your CV and covering letter online explaining why you have applied for this role and why your skills and experience match the requirements of this role. If successful, you will be asked to provide documentary evidence proving your academic/vocational qualifications and membership of professional bodies, including all those stated in your application form/CV whether required for the role or not. Do not claim the qualification on your CV if you cannot do this.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy before the published closing date if we receive a high number of applications.

About us

Drax Group plc is playing a vital role in helping change the way energy is generated, supplied and used as the UK moves to a low carbon future. We own and operate the UK’s largest power station in Selby, North Yorkshire and are responsible for generating 7% of the UK’s electricity.

Having successfully upgraded our power station through innovative engineering, we are now a predominantly biomass-fuelled generator. We self-supply 15% of the pellets we use from our US operations and by providing inspiring, flexible energy solutions that make a difference to customers, a substantial part of the power we generate is sold directly to large businesses and SMEs through our retail division.

Location: Selby, North Yorkshire close to M62, A64 and A1 road networks

Benefits include bonus and a good quality pension scheme