WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TRADER?


While researching my latest book, I asked some of the world’s leading agricultural commodity traders what qualities they looked for in a trader.


Alex Sanfeliu, the head of trading at Cargill, told me that he looked “more and more for traders with a mathematical background” and that compared to the past, he now looks for traders “in tune and familiar with new technologies.”


“That is what has changed,” he added, “but most of the characteristics we look for in a trader have not changed. We seek people with strong values and a developed sense of ethics, analytical, resilient, competitive, curious, fast learners, and who enjoy working under pressure. I emphasise the word ‘enjoy’. We don’t look for people who can work under pressure; we look for people who enjoy working under pressure and have a risk appetite.”


Todd Thul, the Head of Grains at Cargill, said he was “always looking for someone cool under pressure.” He explained that “the moment when everybody else is panicking is usually when an opportunity presents itself. That’s a complex characteristic to identify when you’re interviewing somebody, but it is something that I’m always looking for.”


Todd also stressed the importance of balance. When he was interviewing, he said he looked for “someone with an appetite and understanding for risk, balanced with the ability to manage that risk.”


Dave Behrends, the head of trading at Sucafina, agreed on the importance of balance. “I would look for someone who is not convinced that their view is always right and may even be a bit paranoid about what they might be missing,” he explained. “Yet at the same time, someone with confidence, whose views will not wobble with every small market move and with the conviction to stay with the trade if the data supports it. It is a tricky mix to find – the magic mix of humility and confidence.”


Devashish Chaubey, Head of Rice at Olam, said that he looked “first for the desire and enthusiasm to work in our businesses, geographies, and products,” but that, second, he looked “for a strong sense of ethics.”


26 | ADMISI - The Ghost In The Machine | Q1 Edition 2022


WE SEEK PEOPLE WITH STRONG VALUES AND A DEVELOPED SENSE OF ETHICS, ANALYTICAL, RESILIENT, COMPETITIVE, CURIOUS, FAST LEARNERS, AND WHO ENJOY WORKING UNDER


PRESSURE.


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