Job Purpose
The Bitumen Trading Manager serves as the company’s senior internal commercial and market-facing representative in Iraq. The role is responsible for establishing, stabilising, and progressively expanding access to drummed bitumen export channels, while supporting execution visibility, quality oversight, and reliable supply chain coordination. Operating within a relationship-driven, allocation-based export environment, the position focuses on building long-term continuity of access through credibility, discretion, and consistent execution rather than short-term or transactional activity. This is not a broking or commission-based role, and final commercial negotiations remain with headquarters. The role requires regular travel within Iraq and, where commercially required, to neighbouring countries’ loading ports to support exporter and logistics engagement.
Key Responsibilities
1. Export Channel Access & Relationship Development:
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships with licensed drummed-bitumen export operators active at Umm Qasr
- Secure initial trial allocations and grow volumes progressively through long-term alignment and reliability
- Navigate exporter engagement in environments where supply is allocated rather than freely available
- Monitor availability, grades, and evolving market dynamics
- Provide accurate field intelligence to support internal decisions
- Support loading, quality inspection, logistics, and documentation visibility
- Liaise with surveyors, transporters, port-side service providers, and logistics partners
- Act as the local execution and intelligence arm of overseas management
- Provide structured weekly reporting and flag risks early
Requirements
Desired Qualifications:
- 8–12 years’ experience in bitumen, oil products, exports, logistics, or supply-chain roles
- Experience in relationship-driven or access-constrained export environments
- Familiarity with Southern Iraq export operations, including Umm Qasr
- Fluent English and Arabic; high integrity and discretion
- Exporter-side or port-adjacent experience
- Existing trusted relationships within the export ecosystem
- Track record of progressive volume growth
The role requires regular domestic travel within Iraq and occasional travel to neighbouring countries’ loading ports, as required to support exporter relationships and execution. All business-related travel expenses are covered in accordance with company policy.
*Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process.