Trader Development Programme
Shell’s Trader Development Programme (TDP) is a structured 2-3-year programme where you can learn from the best and kick-start your career as a trader in one of the world’s leading energy trading organisations.
Are you an aspiring trader? Do you have excellent numeracy and decision-making skills? Are you resilient, adaptable, and demonstrate high level of perseverance?
Join our structured 2–3-year Trader Development Programme (TDP) to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in Trading & Supply at Shell. This comprehensive learning experience will help you excel in this dynamic environment and can be your gateway to becoming a world-class trader.
What you can expect from the Trader Development Programme
- Comprehensive training: Immerse yourself in our structured programme designed to equip you with everything you need to become a trader.
- Mentorship: Gain unparalleled insights and hands-on experience on the trading floor from our traders.
- Skills development: Sharpen your decision-making, foster independent thinking, and master market analysis to rise above the rest in your field.
Hear from the programme alumni
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: Trading & Supply Sophie Tao
Duration: 2:50 minutes
Description:
Sophie Tao talks about her job on the Trader Development Programme on the crude trading desk, based in London.
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CAREER STORIES
Sophie Tao
Trader Development Programme (TDP)
Sophie Tao
My name is Sophie. I’m on the Trader Development Programme on the crude trading desk, based in London. So the Trader Development Programme is a structured programme helping to develop the junior traders to get the experience they need to become a trader. The management team in trading, they are very supportive as well, so I normally have a regular catch-up with a mentor or with my line manager. They provide the support and they give me advice where I need to go next in order for me to become a trader in the future.
[Video footage]
Shot of Sophie walking through busy office with many people working at desks. Close up of Sophie talking to camera. Sophie talking to line manager or mentor in booth. Close up of Sophie taking notes. Man talks to Sophie. Shot of many monitors with changing information onscreen. Man pointing at map.
Sophie Tao
I think the [unclear] main factor is why I want to join trading. First of all I think trading is a very fast paced environment, working in trading can have a direct impact on the bottom line. And secondly, I think Shell trading has an advantage over other financial institutions or the trading house because Shell has such large physical assets across all the regions. So, last year I think crude oil market is a very dynamic market and it’s integrated. Basically for me to look at, for example, the supply and demand of [unclear] and I need to talk to the colleagues in other offices to get an idea of what’s going on in other markets. So, in that sense, Shell is actually a very good place for me to get exposure to different markets, and I think that’s not an experience I probably can get in any other company.
[Video footage]
Man pointing at map. Close up of people working at desk and man pointing at monitor. Various scenes of people working at desks. Shot of monitor showing different coloured flickering figures changing. Scene from behind of two men in front of a bank of monitors. Close up of Sophie talking to camera. Sophie and other people watching something in front of them [Unseen]. Man pointing to map. A group of people watching something and having conversation. Sophie taking notes. Sophie talking to camera.
Sophie Tao
Most people may have the impression that trading is a place that people sit in front of their computers dealing with the numbers all day – it’s not entirely true because managing the relationship and communication is just as important. Our traders, they normally visit their counterparties or refineries, from junior analyst level we also work closely with colleagues from parts of the organisation just to get the information flow and the information flow in this place is very important.
[Video footage]
Sophie sitting at desk in front of computer. Close-up of hand on mouse. Monitors showing flickering coloured numbers. Sophie at desk talking to someone at her side. Bank of monitors showing different figures. Sophie walks through office and stops to talk to someone. Sophie talks to camera. Sophie talking to colleague. Sophie and a colleague sit at table in restaurant drinking coffee. Sophie talking to camera. Sophie sitting at desk making notes.
Sophie Tao
I think that there are a few attributes that helped me to get here. First of all I think the strong analytical skills have definitely helped me. On a daily basis we do all the analysis work to help the team to form trading decisions. And lastly, I think people skills, be comfortable working with different stakeholders and getting information from them, I think it’s a key aspect of the job.
[Video footage]
A bank of monitors each showing different views. Sophie at desk. Sophie moves to another desk to talk to colleague. Sophie walks through office and stops to talk to man on her way. Sophie talks to camera.
Sophie Tao
I think it’s a great place to work because the market is very dynamic and every day the headline news can have a direct impact on P & L and working with probably the best people from the organisation is really a privilege.
[Video footage]
View from behind of lade looking at monitors which show different numbers, changing quickly. Camera pans over monitors showing graphs and charts. Close-up of man talking to Sophie. Sophie talks to camera.
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About Shell Trading
Shell Trading & Supply (T&S) is one of the leading energy trading organisations in the world with hubs in London, Houston, Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam. We support Shell businesses through trading natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, refined products, biofuels, power and environmental products. With more than 100 years of experience in oil and over 60 years in natural gas trading, T&S combines cutting-edge market analytics and supply optimisation capabilities.
Why Shell Trading
Achieve your balance in a values-led culture
Our shared values of honesty, integrity, and respect aren't simply a strapline. An equal opportunities employer, we place the highest value on our inclusive approach so you can work in an environment that encourages you to be the best version of yourself. And it’s important to us that the way we trade is ethical and compliant.
Work with and learn from the best
You’ll share the trading floor and collaborate with some of the sharpest people in their field – learning how to outmaneuver the market and outpace the competition. You’ll grow your skills and make connections with industry professionals in different parts of our business, all over the world.
Make impact in one of the world’s leading energy trading businesses
Our teams occupy an influential position in the business; we trust them to shape our prosperity and generate commercial value. Your decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping Shell’s profitability and market positioning. You’ll be at the heart of our success, making meaningful contributions every day.
Develop the energy solution of tomorrow and today
You can be a part of the future of energy. Together at Shell, we are transitioning to become a net-zero emissions business while providing the energy that people around the world need today.
Who we're looking for
Analytical
You excel at absorbing extensive information from diverse sources, discerning the key elements, and integrating them into insightful, critical analyses
Adaptable
The market changes by the minute so you need to be comfortable thinking on your feet and making quick decisions, even if you don’t have all the facts at your command. Speed of thought is vital; you can move easily between a micro and macro view.
Collaborative
This is a highly collaborative environment where we achieve results through teamwork. As you’ll be working with colleagues and contacts all over the world, stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence and persuade is crucial.
Commercially astute
You’ll need to cultivate an incisive understanding of how global energy markets work – that means you should be entrepreneurial, self-motivated and commercially astute with a keen interest in how business works. You’re passionate about working in trading and excited by the prospect of finding opportunities to create commercial value.
Responsible
In trading, the risks you take must be calculated and the decisions you make considered. You’ll be accountable: someone who takes responsibility for their decisions.You’ll always work with Shell’s values of honesty, integrity and respect for others firmly in mind.