Trading Operations Manager

Within Supply, Trading & Shipping (ST&S), BP’s Refined Products Trading Europe & Africa (RPTEA) business represents a major physical trading and supply region, covering crude and refined product flows across Europe and Africa.The trading teams in RPTEA are one of three global Performance Units within ST&S and are responsible for marketing BP’s upstream production, sourcing crude for refineries, trading on behalf of partners, and supporting refinery and trading assets to maximise commercial performance in global physical markets.Operations are central to this activity. The RPTEA Operations function spans physical and paper trading support, refinery coordination and logistics execution across a large, complex and globally connected region. The team operates at the heart of the trading lifecycle, ensuring that transactions are delivered efficiently and in line with commercial and contractual objectives.The opportunityAs a member of the Operations Leadership Team, the Trading Operations Manager is accountable for the safe, compliant and high-performing delivery of trading operations across RPTEA.This is a leadership role with material impact on commercial outcomes, operational risk and trading performance. You will lead and develop front-line operational teams, team leaders and technical specialists across trading benches, while partnering closely with front office trading, shipping, risk and refinery stakeholders.You will oversee and support the end-to-end execution of physical trading activity, ensuring that transactions are executed efficiently, compliantly and to optimal commercial advantage. This includes responsibility for logistics, contract performance and operational risk management across a complex, multi-commodity environment.The role requires strong cross-regional and cross-functional leadership, ensuring operational integrity, high-quality data and insight, and seamless coordination across the trading lifecycle.Key accountabilitiesThe TOPS Manager is responsible for the effective leadership of the RPTEA Trading Operations Teams. Effective leadership can be broadly, but not exclusively, defined as:Leadership, capability and organisation:Responsible for achieving the correct balance in terms of headcount, skills, diversity and competencies across the teamResponsible for the development of direct reports and overall responsibility for the development and training needs of the teamEnsuring that the team is fully aware of, and plays an important part in, the delivery of the ST&S RPTEA strategy and plan, including new business integrationEnsuring that the team is structured correctly and that individuals receive the appropriate level of rewardEnsuring that key messages are communicated and understood by the team in an effective and consistent mannerRole modelling our Values and Behaviours and ensuring the team are aligned behind these, in particular encouraging ‘speak up’ and promoting inclusion.Leadership team contribution and business performance:Member of the Operations LT, overseeing the interests of the RPTEA Operations community through alignment of cross-team priorities, connection and inclusionResponsible for the delivery of the team’s annual Performance ContractProviding insight that enhances business performance management, ensures effective management of resources within agreed plans, and supports continual learning and process improvementOperational excellence and value delivery:Responsible for building a high-performing operations team that provides technical and commercial expertise to the business and maintains a reputation for excellence. Enablers include:Focus the team on creating and assuring financial benefitsEnsure that operational risks are identified, raised and suitably mitigatedEnsure that the team maintains an appropriate emergency response capabilityEnsuring that business needs are met by the team, in terms of value, satisfaction and supportEnsuring that the team is appropriately trained to successfully carry out their roles and responsibilitiesRisk, control and compliance:Responsible for ensuring that the team operates effectively within a culture of compliance, risk management, rigorous execution and control, including:Ensuring that the team is fully aware of, and complies with, the Code of ConductResponsible for ensuring that the team operates within the delegations of authority limitsEnsuring that the team supports and operates to HSSE standards as directed by the Company and the BusinessTransformation and modernisation:Ensuring that the team fully supports the RPTEA Modernisation & Digitisation agendaSkills & ExperienceWe are looking for an experienced operations professional with a strong track record in commercial and/or physical trading environments, who is comfortable operating in close partnership with front office teams and contributing to commercial outcomes.Leadership capabilityDemonstrates a track record of impactful leadership, including the ability to:Lead through our ValuesBuild enduring capability within teamsEnergise and engage peopleMaximise value through operational performanceExperience and capabilitySubstantial experience in a commercial operations environment, ideally within physical trading, with exposure to multiple products an advantageStrong influencing skills, with a proven track record of building effective relationships within a front office trading environment, and developing a clear understanding of commercial drivers to support and challenge decision-makingExperience partnering with trading, risk, shipping or refinery stakeholders, contributing to end-to-end trading activity, including execution, logistics and contract performanceA strategic and adaptable mindset, with the ability to understand and manage risks and implications of business and people decisions, and to flex resource allocation in line with changing prioritiesAbility to identify key issues in complex situations and lead teams and stakeholders effectively through changeDemonstrated ability to drive simplification, continuous improvement and operational efficiency within an operations environmentExperience contributing to a compliant and well-controlled operating culture, with an understanding of governance, risk and assurance requirementsExposure to the impacts of regulatory change on commodity markets is beneficialAdditional experience that would be advantageousExperience in crude and/or refined products trading operationsExperience operating within organisations with integrated physical assets (e.g. refineries, shipping, supply chains)Exposure to global trading environments, including cross-regional operations and time zone complexityExperience supporting or leading transformation, modernisation or digitisation initiatives within operationsWhy Join Us?  We’re committed to supporting leaders who want to make an impact. You’ll have the chance to shape and influence outcomes across businesses. You’ll be part of an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and where your contribution to performance and integration matters. We invest in the growth and wellbeing of our people, providing the resources, networks, and development opportunities needed to thrive. Our total rewards package includes competitive pay, bonuses, share options, and a range of flexible benefits designed to meet your needs. We recognise that people have multifaceted lives, and we strive to offer a career experience that reflects that.  

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