Freight Trader Jobs
Freight Trader jobs are open across shipping, commodities, energy, and logistics, from junior analyst to senior trader and desk head, with specializations in dry bulk, tankers, and derivatives. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Job Overview
As a Metal Trader - Sales, you’ll build client relationships and support trading activity across metal and related markets. You’ll combine sales, market research, and financial analysis to identify opportunities, communicate market developments, and help manage risk. Your impact: Clear, timely market insights help clients make informed trading decisions.
Duties
- Develop client relationships through responsive communication, thoughtful follow-up, and a clear understanding of client needs.
- Support sales and trading activity, including commodity, negotiation, and recycling discussions.
- Research markets and metals, applying industry knowledge of environmental regulations.
- Conduct quantitative, and risk analysis; use Excel to review data and support trading decisions.
- Use market indices and other software to monitor markets, assess exposure, and support financial compliance and risk management.
Experience
- Experience practicing in the securities industry and familiarity with financial services, asset management, or fixed income financial markets are valuable.
- Demonstrated sales, trading, negotiation, and client relationship development skills are important.
- Bring financial acumen, knowledge of financial concepts and markets, and the ability to apply math and quantitative financial analysis.
- Technical proficiency with Excel data analysis, SQL, Bloomberg, or comparable financial software is preferred.
- Knowledge of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) requirements, securities law, financial compliance, and financial risk management is preferred.
Pay: $70,100.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- On-site gym
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
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Find Freight Trader JobsFreight Trader Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Investment & Asset Management
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in freight trader jobs.
- Direct experience trading freight derivatives, FFAs, or physical cargo contracts
- Proficiency with market data platforms such as Bloomberg or Clarksons
- Strong understanding of Baltic Exchange indices and vessel class economics
- Bachelor's degree in economics, finance, maritime studies, or a related field
- Ability to manage risk exposure and maintain a profitable trading book independently
- Series 3 license or willingness to obtain it within a specified timeframe
Tips for Your Freight Trader Job Search
Quantify your P&L on your resume
Freight trader roles are highly performance-driven, so your resume needs concrete numbers. Show the book size you managed, your average daily volume, and any risk-adjusted returns you delivered. Vague claims about market experience won't move you past a first screen.
Target firms with active route exposure
Filter openings by the commodity or route you trade best, whether that's Capesize dry bulk, clean tanker products, or FFAs. Applying to a firm whose active routes match your desk experience puts you far ahead of generalist candidates with similar years of experience.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists freight trader openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Build a position paper before interviews
Most freight trading interviews include a live market discussion. Prepare a short written view on a current route or commodity imbalance before you walk in. Being able to cite specific tonnage demand or congestion data signals genuine market engagement, not just theoretical knowledge.
Get your FINRA Series 3 or CFA documented
Many desks require or strongly prefer the Series 3 for derivatives trading or the CFA for analytical roles. If you hold either, list it prominently and note the date passed. If you're in progress, include your expected completion date so hiring managers can factor it in.
Follow up with a market take after interviews
After a freight trading interview, send a brief note that includes a specific market observation relevant to that desk's focus. Referencing a recent Baltic Exchange move or a specific vessel oversupply shows you stayed engaged and reinforces that you think like a trader, not just an applicant.
Freight Trader Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most freight traders?
The most active employers for freight traders right now are Caely Renewables, Jefferies, and Citi, and the most openings are in New York, Illinois, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to concentrate at commodity trading houses, shipbroking firms, and energy majors with active chartering desks.
How many freight trader jobs are remote?
About 60% of freight trader openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of most trading roles. Analytical and research-side positions, such as freight market analyst or derivatives researcher, are more likely to offer flexible arrangements than front-office physical trading seats.
How do you become a freight trader?
Most freight traders start by building a foundation in commodities, logistics, or maritime finance through a relevant degree and then joining a shipbroker or trading house as an analyst or chartering assistant. From there, you develop route-specific knowledge, learn to read Baltic Exchange indices, and transition onto a trading desk as you demonstrate market judgment and risk discipline.
Can you get hired as a freight trader with little experience?
Entry-level seats exist, but they almost always require demonstrated market curiosity and some analytical grounding. Candidates with chartering assistant experience, a commodities finance background, or strong quantitative skills from a related desk have the best path in. Completing the Series 3 or building a documented view on a specific trade route before applying strengthens a thin resume significantly.
What does the freight trader interview process look like?
Freight trader interviews typically involve a market knowledge screen first, where you're asked about current route dynamics, vessel supply, or commodity fundamentals relevant to that desk. A second round often includes a live trading case or position discussion where you're expected to defend a view under pressure. Final rounds at larger firms may include a risk and compliance interview alongside a desk head conversation.
Where can I find and apply to freight trader jobs?
You can find and apply to freight trader jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your route specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
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