Consultant – Commodity Trading & Shipping

About Ampersand World

Ampersand World is a specialized recruitment and advisory firm operating in trading-related professions including commodities, energy, shipping, and international markets. Our focus is on the intersection of markets, organizations, and leadership, backed by an entrepreneurial, market-driven, and relationship-focused approach. Each Consultant functions as a true business partner, integrating commercial acumen with strategic insights and fostering long-term relationships. Here, performance, credibility, and impact are central to our mission.

Your Role

This opportunity is ideal for seasoned professionals from commodity trading, shipping, or related sectors eager to apply their market knowledge and commercial acumen to build teams, shape organizations, and create enduring value. If your experience encompasses navigating grain desks, energy books, metals origination, or shipping operations, and you are increasingly interested in the human and organizational dimensions of your industry, you may find this role particularly appealing.

As a Consultant focused on Commodity Trading & Shipping, you will leverage your understanding of market dynamics, key players, and organizational nuances to identify, structure, and execute strategic recruitment mandates within your sector. Engaging at the highest levels with trading houses, industrial players, financial institutions, and senior decision-makers, you will establish yourself as a credible peer.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and originate a portfolio of clients and mandates, utilizing your existing network and market reputation.
• Analyze organizational dynamics in your market, including leadership transitions and high-stakes hiring decisions.
• Identify business opportunities through proactive market mapping and outreach.
• Engage in high-level conversations with executives, managers, traders, and key decision-makers.
• Structure, qualify, and execute strategic recruitment mandates from start to finish.
• Build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships based on credibility and value creation.
• Negotiate terms of engagement and commercial conditions effectively.
• Act as a strategic bridge between markets, organizations, and top talent.
• Manage your assignments with full ownership and accountability.

Your Profile

We are searching for professionals from commodity trading, shipping, or closely related sectors who are ready to strategically apply their expertise. You might be an ideal match if you possess:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in commodity trading, shipping, or related commercial roles.
• Deep expertise in at least one market: grains/agribusiness, energy, metals, or maritime/shipping.
• A strong commercial instinct and a mature approach to building long-term relationships.
• Natural credibility with senior professionals, allowing you to engage effectively.
• A genuine interest in organizations, leadership dynamics, and professional trajectories.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to interpret subtle cues.
• High resilience and a results-oriented mindset.
• Proficiency in both English and French.
• Previous experience in recruitment or consulting is an advantage.

What We Seek

This opportunity may not be suitable for you if you typically:

• Prefer waiting for direction rather than creating your own opportunities.
• Struggle with ambiguity, long cycles, or complex mandates.
• Require strong hierarchical oversight and constant validation.
• React to challenges rather than approaching them with a solutions-driven mindset.
• Lack curiosity regarding human and organizational dynamics.

What We Offer

Ampersand World provides a unique transition opportunity tailored for experienced market professionals, featuring:

• A stimulating and entrepreneurial environment with a direct impact on results.
• High levels of autonomy and responsibility from day one.
• Exposure to senior decision-makers across the commodity and shipping ecosystem.
• An opportunity to actively shape a growing, specialized firm.

If you are driven by ownership, challenge, and long-term value creation, and ready to redirect your expertise into a new realm, we invite you to engage in this opportunity.