Senior Contract Administrator

A leading global commodities trading organization is seeking a Senior Contracts Administrator to support its commercial and trading teams in Houston. This position will play a critical role in managing the flow of physical commodity transactions from trade execution through contract completion.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced trading environment where priorities can shift quickly. This is a hands-on role that requires someone who can stay ahead of the desk's needs, manage multiple transactions and deadlines, and ensure contracts and related documentation move through the appropriate processes accurately and efficiently.

The company has established contract templates and processes in place, so this position is less focused on drafting complex legal language from scratch and more focused on effectively managing the contracting process, maintaining accuracy, and ensuring the commercial desk has what it needs to execute its business. The primary commodity focus will be petrochemicals and fuel oil, with additional exposure to crude oil, natural gas, and renewable commodities.

Candidate must be willing to be in-office daily in the Galleria area of Houston.

Qualified candidates, please send your resume to your Optimus Recruiter or [email protected]. 

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day administration of physical commodity contracts from trade execution through finalization and completion.

• Prepare and maintain contracts using established company templates, ensuring accuracy and consistency with agreed commercial terms.

• Coordinate with traders, commercial teams, operations, scheduling, legal, credit, and other internal stakeholders to ensure transactions move efficiently through the contracting process.

• Review trade details and supporting documentation to identify discrepancies, missing information, or items requiring follow-up.

• Maintain accurate contract records, documentation, approvals, and status tracking.

• Monitor outstanding contracts, signatures, amendments, confirmations, and other required documentation to ensure timely completion.

• Manage multiple transactions simultaneously while keeping track of deadlines, priorities, and changing desk requirements.

• Develop a strong understanding of the trading desk's workflow and anticipate contracting and administrative needs.

• Follow established processes and controls while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and organization.

• Support contract amendments, renewals, extensions, and other documentation as needed.

• Communicate proactively with internal stakeholders regarding contract status, outstanding items, and potential issues.

• Help ensure commercial transactions are properly documented and aligned with internal policies and procedures.

• Maintain a high level of confidentiality, accuracy, and attention to detail in a fast-paced trading environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in contracts administration, commercial operations, trade operations, contract management, or a related function, preferably within commodities, energy, petrochemicals, oil & gas, or another physical trading environment.

• Experience working with physical commodity contracts strongly preferred.

• Experience with petrochemicals, fuel oil, crude oil, natural gas, refined products, or renewable commodities is highly desirable.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage a high volume of transactions and competing priorities.

• Excellent attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership and follow-through.

• Ability to understand commercial terms and accurately translate transaction details into contractual documentation.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change throughout the day.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with traders and other commercial stakeholders.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.

• Ability to work full-time in the Houston office in the Galleria area.

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