Operations Analyst (Operations and Trading Team)

You may also be returning to work after a career break. A gap on your CV isn't a barrier – the client is interested in what you can do now and the skills and experience you can bring.

What you'll need

Strong Excel skills are important. You should be comfortable working with data and using Excel as part of your day-to-day work.

You'll also need fundamental SQL skills – enough to write a basic query, pull data and check it. You don't need to be an SQL expert, and if you've taught yourself the basics and are keen to develop further, that's absolutely fine.

Beyond that, we're looking for someone who:

• Has worked with data where accuracy matters
• Has strong attention to detail and checks their own work
• Enjoys investigating discrepancies and getting to the root of a problem
• Has spotted a repetitive task or inefficient process and found a better way of doing it
• Can explain complicated information clearly
• Is comfortable raising problems early, including with more senior colleagues
• Can take ownership and work autonomously
• Is curious about systems and enjoys figuring out how things work
• Is comfortable challenging ideas and contributing their own

Experience with Excel macros/VBA, Python, Bloomberg or Reuters, financial services operations, derivatives or Agile ways of working would be useful, but none of these are essential.

You don't need previous commodities experience – you'll be taught what you need to know.

Working pattern

The regular shift for this role is 7:30am–3:30pm, Monday to Friday.

The Operations and Trading teams work two shifts to cover the UK and US markets, so there will occasionally be a requirement to cover the later 12pm–8pm shift for holidays or sickness, typically with advance notice.

You'll initially be expected to work from the Chiswick office while you're training and getting up to speed. Once you're able to work autonomously, the business offers flexibility around whether you work from home or the office.

About the business

Our client is a small, successful financial trading business with a very different approach to many traditional financial services organisations.

They trade their own capital rather than managing money for clients or investors, which gives them the freedom to decide how they operate and what they do with the profits they generate.

The business has a strong purpose beyond profit and invests in businesses and initiatives that have a positive impact on communities and the planet.

It's a small team where your contribution will be visible, your ideas will be heard and you'll be encouraged to challenge how things are done.

Their culture is built around four principles:

• Progress over perfection – getting something good done is often better than waiting for perfect.
• Adapt and evolve – mistakes happen; what matters is learning and improving.
• The best idea wins – regardless of job title or seniority.
• Care personally – people care about their work and about the people they work alongside.

Learning, development and AI

This is a business that actively invests in learning and development.

You'll have access to a professionally qualified coach, mentoring from an experienced Operations Analyst, support towards professional qualifications and a book each month for personal development.

The company also actively encourages employees to use AI to work more efficiently and solve problems. You'll be encouraged to use AI tools where appropriate, but you'll always be expected to understand, explain and take ownership of the work you produce.

There is plenty of opportunity for this role to develop over time, particularly into automation, systems improvement and broader business analysis.

Package

• Up to £45,000 depending on experience
• Annual discretionary performance bonus
• 39 days' holiday
• Professionally qualified coach
• Mentoring and ongoing development
• Physical health/wellbeing allowance
• Pension contribution
• Income protection and life insurance
• Support towards professional qualifications
• A book a month for personal development

Interview process

The process starts with an informal 30–45 minute remote conversation to learn more about you and give you plenty of opportunity to understand the company, culture and role.

The final stage is in person and includes conversations with members of the team, a short 10–15 minute practical Excel assessment and, if both sides are keen to continue, a conversation with the CEO.

The Excel assessment consists of a handful of questions based on the type of work you'd be doing, increasing in difficulty to understand your current level. You won't need any commodities knowledge.

If you're strong in Excel, comfortable with data, curious about how things work and naturally find yourself looking for better ways of doing things, we'd love to hear from you – even if you've never had the title Operations Analyst.