Trader Development Program

What’s the role?

We are currently looking for high caliber talent to join our Trader Development Program (TDP), to be based in Houston office.

Shell Trading and Supply (T&S) is the world’s largest energy trader, and at the center of the energy transition and decarbonization plans, we have ambitious delivery goals and are looking for ambitious people to be part of the journey.

Shell Trading integrates a world-wide trading network with an unsurpassed global portfolio in crude oil, refined products, natural gas, LNG, power, environmental products and freight. As the world’s largest energy trading business, Shell Trading is a key segment of the Shell portfolio, leveraging scale, global reach, and financial strength to compete strongly and continue to grow in the evolving energy trading market.

The Trader Development Program is a unique opportunity for high caliber candidates to go through a 2-4 year structured program to become a trader. No prior experience in trading is necessary, candidates would need to have demonstrable work experience in a relevant role. The program will be tailored based on prior experience and can be accelerated for those with some relevant skillset. Typically, rotations will include trading operation, risk analysis and market analysis. Towards the end of the program it will cover paper and physical trading under supervision. Progress will be assessed and monitored through regular assessment by trading management. Support will be provided through “on the job” training and mentoring by senior trading staff as well as regular training courses.

The accountabilities will depend on the particular rotation, some examples below:

• Scheduling ship operations, communicating and aligning with various internal and external stakeholders such as inspectors, shipowners, trading counterparties
• Gain in depth understanding of various risk in trading, including market risk, counterparty and operation risk and how to best manage and mitigate those risks Trader Development Program
• Gain in depth understanding of commodity markets, learn tools and techniques how to study each market and how to translate analysis views into trading positions
• Closely work with Shell assets to maximize value along the whole value chain Work closely with other parts of the global team on arbitrage opportunities Learn how to execute both physical and paper trades under supervision of senior traders
• Learn how to create trading strategies and how to build trading structures

We currently have several open positions with the different commodities we trade.

What you bring

The candidate must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.

While trading experience is not a requirement to join us, a Bachelor’s Degree or higher level of education is required with 3 or more years of experience in Market Risk, Commercial Operations, Quantitative/Analytics, or other relevant roles within a financial services organization.

Besides this, we would also like to hear from candidates with the following skills:

Commercial Acumen - You’ll need to cultivate an incisive understanding of global energy markets work – that means you should be entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and commercially acute. With a keen interest in how business works, you’re passionate about working in trading and excited by the prospect of unearthing opportunities to create monetary value.

Analytical - You’re numerate and highly analytical. You’ve shown you can digest wide amounts of information from different sources, pinpoint the relevant details from a huge range of data, and synthesize it to form critical insights and trading strategies.

Adaptable - The market changes by the minute so you need to be comfortable thinking on your feet and making quick decisions, even if you don’t have all the facts at your command. Speed of thought is vital; you’re someone who can move easily between a micro and macro view.

Collaborative - This is a highly open, collaborative environment where we achieve results through teamwork. You’ll be talking to colleagues and contacts all over the world, so you’ll need to be able to change your social style to suit your audience. We value people who’ve proven they can persuade and influence.

Responsible - In trading, the risks you take must be calculated and the decisions you make considered. You’ll be accountable: someone who takes responsibility for their decisions and can adhere to both the letter and the spirit of all relevant legislation. You’ll always work with Shell’s values of honesty, integrity, and respect for others firmly in mind.

What we offer

The base salary range for this position is $101,000 - $151,000 per year. Individual pay will be based on various factors such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skill level, seniority, and internal equity.

For regular full-time or regular part-time employees of the Company (participating companies as listed in the Summary Plan Description), insurance coverage options include medical, dental, vision coverage, life Insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs. Employees also participate in a company pension plan and a 401(k) plan. Paid leave includes up to 6 weeks of paid vacation time, up to 11 paid holidays, and parental leave offering 16 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents, and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.

Additionally, employees are eligible for short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay as well as Long-Term Disability insurance. Shell also offers other compensation such financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses, and some roles are eligible for discretionary long-term incentives.  For interns, eligible benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs; participation in a 401(k) plan; and paid leave for up to 11 paid holidays.  Additional information on Shell’s US benefit programs can be found at https://www.shell.us/careers/about-careers-at-shell/rewards-and-benefits.html.

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

• Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together.
• Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
• Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
• Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
• Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
• Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working.
• Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase – our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
• Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
• Join an organisation working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply.
• Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams.
• Gain access to a wide range of training and development programmes.

We'd like you to know that Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies. You can get to know more about how we're working towards that goal, click here.

Shell in The United States

Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years, leading the sector in energy, petrochemicals and refined products. Today, we provide millions of Americans with the energy needed to heat and cool their homes and power the economy. 

We operate in all 50 states, from our Deep Water platforms in the Gulf of America to the Pennsylvania Chemicals complex and our miles of pipelines throughout the US.

We reach our customers through our 13,000 branded retail stations, and we are number 1 in gasoline sales. We also own the #1 brand of motor oil in the U.S. – Pennzoil® – made from natural gas.

We are excited to play a key role in the move to net carbon emissions while providing the oil and gas needed by society for many decades to come.