Freight Trading Trainee

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Job Title: Freight Trading Trainee
Location: Singapore, International/Other

Company: Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)
Industry Sector: Agribusiness
Industry Type: Input Retail, Cooperative and Related Crop Services
Job Type: Full Time

Job Description: Job Description

Programme Structure

We are seeking a highly motivated Freight Trading Trainee to join our Global Ocean Freight (GOF) team in Singapore. This 24-month structured development program provides hands-on exposure to dry bulk shipping markets through rotations in operations, chartering, and trading. Working closely with experienced traders and operators, you will develop market intuition, quantitative and analytical skills, and execution discipline in a fast-paced trading environment. This is a structured development role designed to progress toward Junior Trader or Chartering Manager responsibilities.

Phase 1: Rotational Foundation (Months 1-6)

Build core operational, risk, and market foundations through structured training and desk exposure.

Develop a strong understanding of trading processes, controls, market dynamics, and client servicing.

Operations (2 months)

Support post-fixture processes including laytime tracking, documentation, invoicing, and voyage progress monitoring
Maintain daily operations reporting, ETA updates, and port/agency coordination
Learn trade capture standards and execution controls
Shadow senior operators on problem-solving for delays, weather, congestion, and claims

Chartering (2 months)

Assist with internal enquiries, voyage fixtures and time charters.
Prepare fixture booking notes and contribute to internal market analysis
Learn contract structures (COAs, spot fixtures), recap and charterparty terms, and negotiation practices
Observe counterparty interactions and risk management approaches

Trading & Market Analysis (2 months)

Track spot and forward routes across dry bulk classes (Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, Handysize)
Support P&L tracking, position management, and risk reporting
Contribute to daily positioning discussions and own sections of market commentary

Phase 2: Focused Development (Months 7-24)

Based on your strengths, interests, and business needs, you will specialize in either Chartering or Trading with progressively greater responsibility.

Trading Track

Maintain route sheets and monitor relative value across time-charter equivalents and FFAs
Compile daily market snapshots covering rates, spreads, fleet utilization, and macro drivers
Assist with pricing structures for physical and paper positions, including hedging mechanics
Prepare scenario analyses on trade flows, arbitrage, and seasonal patterns
Contribute to the development of trading dashboards and automation tools

Chartering Track

Handle supervised enquiries and prepare offers, counteroffers, and recap drafts
Build relationships with owners, operators, and cargo stakeholders
Run voyage economics and propose optimization strategies for TCE and ballast decisions
Support or lead selected fixtures under guidance, ensuring quality post-fixture handover

Your Profile

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Engineering, Maritime Studies, or another quantitative discipline
Undergraduate/Graduate with no more than 3 years of work experience
Excellent numerical and analytical abilities, with a strong bias toward practical application
Proficiency in Excel and Power BI; familiarity with Python and statistical concepts is a strong advantage
Strong interest in commodity markets, shipping, and trading, with curiosity about how markets move in real time

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM's efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments - environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

For more information regarding our efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, please visit our website here: Culture, Engagement & Inclusion | ADM.

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Job Post Date: 02/04/26