Job Description

Global Sourcing & Supply Chain Management:

-Source sesame seeds and other grain/nut commodities from key origin markets, especially across Africa, and manage the end-to-end supply chain to destination markets in Europe, the United States, and Asia. - Ensure reliable supply by working closely with producers/exporters in countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, etc., and oversee logistics from origin to client

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced

Senior Grains & Nuts Trader

with a strong specialization in

sesame seeds

to join our team in Dubai. The ideal candidate will have 8-12 years of commodity trading experience (with a focus on sesame and other grains/nuts) and a proven track record of handling

high trade volumes (20,000+ tons of sesame per year)

. In this role, you will act as the profit center head for sesame and related products - sourcing from African origins and selling into key international markets (Europe, North America, and Asia) while ensuring profitable trades and adherence to quality standards. This position requires excellent market knowledge, a robust network of industry contacts, and the ability to execute trades that meet both volume and margin targets.

Key Responsibilities

Market Expansion & Client Relationships:

- Build and maintain strong relationships with international suppliers and buyers, leveraging an extensive industry

network in both origin and destination markets.

- Develop a client base of food processors, manufacturers, and distributors - selling

directly to processors

(e.g. tahini and oil producers, bakeries) to provide them with required raw materials. Leverage prior experience and contacts to

expand sales into Asia (South Korea, Japan),

meeting the strict quality expectations of these markets.

High-Volume Trading & Quality Assurance:

- Trade significant volumes of sesame (

at least 20,000 tons annually)

along with other grains and nuts, while maintaining strict quality control.

- Ensure the product meets

premium grade specifications

- for example, supplying

Sortex

grade

sesame seeds (optically sorted for superior purity and uniform quality) for clients who require the highest standards.

- Oversee quality checks and third-party inspections (purity, moisture, aflatoxin levels, etc.) to guarantee that shipments meet destination regulations and client specifications.

Organic Sesame Trading:

- Manage the trading of

organic sesame seeds

, including sourcing from certified organic suppliers and handling the certification processes required for organic trade.

- Ensure compliance with organic standards and obtain necessary certifications (such as

EU Organic or USDA Organic

certificates) for each link of the supply chain.

- Guide suppliers on meeting organic

quality parameters

and documentation so that organic sesame can be sold into premium markets without issues.

Market Intelligence & Reporting:

- Continuously monitor global market trends for sesame and other agricultural commodities - including crop forecasts, price movements on international exchanges, supply-demand dynamics, and geopolitical factors.

- Provide

regular market updates

to management, delivering insights on price risks, market opportunities, and competitive activity.

- Prepare

reports or presentations

on market outlook and recommend strategies to capitalize on favorable market conditions.

Trading Strategy & Execution:

- Execute profitable trading strategies in line with the company's goals.

- Negotiate purchase and sales contracts with favorable terms, manage pricing and spreads, and time the market to optimize profits.

-

Manage risk diligently

by hedging when appropriate (if futures or options markets are available), and by mitigating country,

currency, and counterparty risks

through contractual terms and insurance.

- Ensure that each trade's

P&L

is optimized by balancing volume vs. margin and actively seek ways to improve trade profitability.

Logistics & Operations Coordination:

- Coordinate with the operations/logistics teams to ensure smooth execution of shipments from arranging freight (container or bulk vessel bookings) to preparing export documentation.

- Oversee that all contracts are executed correctly and on schedule, resolving any issues with shipping lines, inspection agencies, or port authorities.

- Ensure compliance with international trade regulations and food safety standards at all times (e.g. import requirements in EU/US,

phytosanitary certificates, HACCP

guidelines, etc.).

Financial & Administrative Oversight

:
-Work closely with finance and administrative departments on trade financing, payment terms, and documentation.

- Handle Letters of Credit, CAD, or other payment instruments -

negotiating L/C terms

and making sure documents (invoices, B/L, certificates) are in order for smooth collection.

- Monitor credit exposure for each counterparty and ensure on-time payments.

- Contribute to budgeting and forecasting for the sesame trading desk, and report on product line profitability.

Qualifications & Experience

Experience

: 8-12 years of

progressive commodity trading experience

, specifically in

sesame seeds

and other grains or edible nuts. A proven history of trading substantial volumes of sesame (?20,000 tons per year or more) and managing trades for multiple products is required. Experience should cover the full trade cycle - from origination/procurement in producing countries to sales and distribution in consuming markets.

Industry Knowledge

: Deep understanding of the

global sesame supply chain

- including farming/origination, quality grading, export logistics, and end-user applications. Familiarity with sourcing from

African origins

and marketing into

major importing regions (Europe, Middle East, North America, and Asia

) is essential. Prior experience selling into strict markets like J

apan and South Korea

is highly valued, as it demonstrates ability to meet rigorous quality and regulatory standards.

Network & Relationships

: Established

international network

of suppliers, producers, and buyers in the grains and oilseeds industry. The candidate should have

strong connections with African farmers/exporters

for direct sourcing and with overseas processors and food manufacturers for direct sales. A demonstrated ability to maintain and grow these relationships (e.g. partnering with farmers to improve quality and ensuring consistent supply, as well as being a reliable partner to buyers in various countries) is crucial.

Product Expertise

: Expert knowledge of

sesame seed varieties and grades

. This includes understanding

Sortex grade

sesame (high-purity, optically sorted seeds free of contaminants) and other quality designations like

hulled vs. natural sesame

, their specifications, and their end uses. Experience catering to

specific client requirements

(e.g. bakery grade sesame for Europe, oil-crushing grade for export, or

premium food-grade for Japan

) is expected. Familiarity with other related commodities (such as cashew nuts, pulses, or other oilseeds) is a plus, showing versatility in edible commodity trading.

Organic & Certification Knowledge

: Hands-on experience in trading Organic products, particularly organic sesame. Should be well-versed in the process of obtaining and maintaining organic certifications across the supply chain. Knowledge of

international organic standards

and certification regimes (for example, EU Regulation 2018/848 for organic produce and comparable USDA organic requirements) is required - ensuring the candidate can manage trades that involve organic compliance from farm to buyer. Additionally, familiarity with food safety certifications

(ISO 22000/FSSC 22000, HACCP, BRCGS, etc.)

and quality management systems is important to reassure buyers of product integrity.

Financial Acumen

: Strong financial and commercial acumen. The candidate must be capable of acting as a

Product P&L owner,

which includes setting pricing strategies, managing trade finance, and ensuring overall profitability of the sesame trading division. Experience with

trade finance instruments

(letters of credit, bank guarantees, hedging tools) and an ability to analyze market data (for price trends and margin calculations) are required. A track record of

profitable trading

and sound risk management in volatile commodity markets will be highly regarded.

Education

: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Agriculture, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A relevant post-graduate qualification (e.g. MBA or a Masters in International Trade) is advantageous. Proven

on-the-job experience and

success

in commodity trading can offset formal education requirements, but strong business fundamentals are expected.

Language & Communication

: Fluent in English (written and spoken). Must have excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively negotiate contracts and clearly

update management on market conditions

. Ability to prepare concise market reports, trade proposals, and to articulate strategies in meetings is important. Additional language skills (especially French or Arabic for African markets, or Japanese/Korean for Asian markets) would be a bonus but not mandatory.

Other Skills

: High proficiency in data analysis and use of trading software or market information systems. Strong

negotiation and deal-making skills

with a keen sense of timing and tact. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, make quick decisions, and handle multiple trade deals concurrently.

Organizational and record-keeping skills

are also important to manage contract details and documentation for numerous transactions. Lastly, a

problem-solving mindset

to address challenges in supply chain, quality claims, or payment issues will be valuable.

Key Competencies:

Market Insight & Strategy

: A deep understanding of global grain and oilseed market dynamics, particularly sesame. Ability to interpret market signals (crop reports, demand trends, policy changes) and translate them into strategic trading decisions. Being proactive and forward looking in securing positions and sales based on market insight is crucial for success in this role.

Relationship Management

: Exceptional ability to build

long-term relationships

across the value chain - from farmers and local exporters in origin countries to procurement managers and food business owners in destination markets. The candidate should be adept at networking, culturally aware, and capable of establishing trust and credibility in multiple regions. Strong relationships help in sourcing the

highest quality sesame directly from producers

(ensuring consistency and traceability) and in securing repeat business with end-users.

Execution & Attention to Detail

: A track record of

flawless execution

in trade operations - the candidate should ensure that once a deal is struck, every detail (quality specs, shipment schedule, documentation, etc.) is managed meticulously. This competency includes coordinating teams for smooth logistics, pre-emptively handling any hurdles in export/import processes, and maintaining an organized approach to handle the complexity of international trade transactions.

Analytical & Risk Management Skills

: Strong analytical skills to evaluate pricing, assess risk factors, and conduct scenario planning. The trader should competently manage various risks:

market risk

(price volatility),

credit risk

(buyer/supplier creditworthiness),

currency risk,

and

operational risks

in shipping and handling. Experience in using financial instruments or insurance to mitigate these risks is expected. The ability to remain

profitable with minimal

market correlation

(as an independent profit center) will set the candidate apart.

Leadership & Autonomy

: As a senior trader, the individual should exhibit leadership in driving the product line's success. While this role may not necessarily have a large direct team, the trader must influence and coordinate with colleagues in logistics, QA, and finance. They should be comfortable making significant decisions independently (e.g. taking positions, entering new markets) and be accountable for the outcomes. A self-driven,

entrepreneurial mindset

with a high level of ownership is key for this senior position.

Salary & Benefits

Base Salary

: AED 14,000 - 16,000 per month (approximately). This is the fixed monthly salary range for the role, commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Benefits

: Standard UAE employment benefits will be provided, including basic health insurance, annual paid leave, and end-of-service gratuity as per UAE labor law

.

Location

- This position is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The candidate must be willing to live in (or relocate to) Dubai, a major global trading hub with excellent connectivity. International travel will likely be required in this role - for example, visiting origin countries in Africa to strengthen sourcing relationships, and traveling to client sites or trade fairs as needed. Dubai's strategic location and business environment will support the trader in efficiently covering the targeted markets.

- Candidates must demonstrate the specified experience, skills, and track record in sesame/grains trading. Fluency in English and strong communication skills are essential.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: AED14,000.00 - AED16,000.00 per month