Senior Metal Trader – Copper & Nickel (Family Office / Mining Group)

Our client is a privately owned family office and mining group with active operations across Africa and South America. After 15 years of mining activity in Peru and 5 years of exploration in Tanzania, the group has now entered full-scale production and is expanding its international trading structure across Switzerland, Italy, and UAE.

As part of this strategic transition, the company is seeking to appoint an experienced Senior Metal Trader to oversee the marketing, pricing, and sale of refined Copper and Nickel products to international buyers, with a particular focus on the Chinese market.

Your Mission:

Reporting directly to the Founder, the Senior Metal Trader will be responsible for managing the commercial lifecycle of the group’s metal production, from pricing and hedging to final sale. The role involves both strategic and operational trading activity, leveraging an established network within the Chinese metals market and working closely with the production and finance teams in Africa.

This is a key hire for a fast-growing organization transitioning from a regional mining operation to a global commodities trading structure.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the commercial trading strategy for Copper and Nickel.

• Hedge and sell refined products to global buyers, optimizing margins and managing price risk.

• Build and maintain relationships with key buyers, particularly across China and Asia.

• Negotiate and close offtake agreements, ensuring compliance and delivery coordination.

• Monitor global market trends, pricing movements, and competitor activity.

• Liaise with the production manager and logistics teams to align sales and supply schedules.

• Prepare commercial reports and advise the Founder on trading performance and opportunities.

• Contribute to the long-term structuring of the trading function within the new family office setup.

Profile Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in base metal trading (Copper, Nickel, or similar).

• Strong background in hedging, pricing, and marketing refined products.

• Proven network within the Chinese metals market; ability to originate and maintain buyer relationships.

• Experience in or with mining producers and trading houses.

• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.

• Entrepreneurial mindset, able to work autonomously in a lean and fast-evolving environment.

• Fluent in English; Mandarin or other Asian language skills are a strong advantage.

This is a rare opportunity to join a founder-led family office at a pivotal growth stage, helping to build its global trading operations from the ground up. The role combines the autonomy of a start-up environment with the backing of established mining assets and international operations.

Are you a seasoned trader with a strong network in the metals market?
Join an ambitious family office building its global trading arm. Apply today!

About Approach People

Approach People is an international recruitment consultancy with offices across Europe and a strong track record in sourcing senior professionals for family offices, trading houses, and natural resource groups. Our teams specialize in connecting high-impact talent with ambitious organizations operating across luxury, finance, industrial, and commodities sectors.

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