Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst (Crude and Heavy Products) - Marathon Petroleum, Houston, Texas

Role Overview

The Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst role at Marathon Petroleum (MPC) in Houston, Texas, is a pivotal position within the Global Supply Trading and Origination organization. This role demands a deep understanding of crude and heavy products markets, coupled with exceptional analytical skills and commercial acumen. The analyst will be responsible for delivering high-impact market analytics that directly influence trading, origination, and planning decisions. The core objective is to translate complex market signals into actionable insights, enhancing the effectiveness of commercial workflows.

This position is designed to be at the heart of trading activity, requiring strong commercial judgment, analytical ownership, and close collaboration with traders, schedulers, and origination teams. The analyst will own the end-to-end fundamental analysis of crude and heavy products, including global supply-demand balances, flow dynamics, and quality economics.

A Day in the Life

A typical day for the Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst will involve:

• Monitoring Global Markets: Tracking production levels, refining demand, inventory trends, and the flow of crude and heavy products worldwide.
• Analyzing Differentials and Arbitrage: Identifying and evaluating differentials, quality impacts, and potential arbitrage opportunities based on real-time market dynamics.
• Delivering Market Intelligence: Providing timely and insightful market updates to trading, scheduling, and origination teams to support their commercial decision-making processes.
• Maintaining Data Integrity: Ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of all market databases, models, and reporting outputs.
• Developing Forward-Looking Analysis: Creating regular market updates and forward-looking analyses to highlight potential risks, opportunities, and structural shifts in the market.
• Supporting Commercial Opportunities: Assisting Supply Trading and Origination teams in identifying new commercial opportunities and navigating evolving market dislocations.
• Translating Market Dynamics: Converting complex market dynamics into actionable strategies using sophisticated modeling, visualization, and analytical tools.
• Communicating Insights: Distilling complex analyses into clear, concise insights and communicating them effectively to commercial and cross-functional partners.
• Collaborating with Quantitative Analysts: Working with quantitative analysts and other commodity trading analysts to enhance market insights and apply advanced analytical techniques.
• Participating in Trading Coverage: Periodically covering trading activities to gain practical commercial judgment and execution experience.

Why Houston, Texas?

Houston, Texas, is the energy capital of the world, making it an ideal location for a Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst. The city boasts a high concentration of energy companies, trading firms, and related industries, providing unparalleled networking and career growth opportunities. Houston's strategic location offers easy access to major oil and gas infrastructure, including refineries, pipelines, and ports. The city's diverse and highly skilled workforce, combined with a relatively low cost of living compared to other major financial centers, makes it an attractive place to live and work.

Furthermore, Houston offers a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary experiences, and numerous recreational activities, making it a well-rounded city for professionals and families alike.

Career Path

This role is designed as a key development position within Supply Trading and Origination Analytics. The Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst will work closely with traders and commercial leadership, gaining direct exposure to trading decisions, risk management, and execution workflows. Over time, the analyst can progress to more senior roles within trading analytics, risk management, or even into trading positions themselves. Marathon Petroleum is committed to providing its employees with opportunities for growth and advancement, and this role serves as a strong foundation for a successful career in the energy industry.

Potential career paths include:

• Lead Trading Analyst: Overseeing a team of analysts and leading complex analytical projects.
• Risk Manager: Developing and implementing risk management strategies for trading activities.
• Trader: Making trading decisions and managing a portfolio of crude and heavy products.
• Origination Manager: Identifying and developing new commercial opportunities in the crude and heavy products markets.

Salary & Benefits

The estimated salary range for the Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst position in Houston, Texas, is between $130,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. In addition to a competitive salary, Marathon Petroleum offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Opportunity to purchase company stock at a discounted price.
• Life Insurance: Company-provided life insurance and disability coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling and support services.
• Wellness Programs: Programs and resources to support employee health and well-being.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Financial assistance for continuing education and professional development.

MPC Culture

Marathon Petroleum is committed to creating a great place to work, where new ideas are welcomed, diverse perspectives are encouraged, and employees are developed and supported. The company fosters a collaborative team environment where employees are empowered to contribute their best work. MPC values integrity, safety, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

The company's commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in its policies and practices, ensuring that all employees have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the company's success.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for the Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst position through the Marathon Petroleum careers website. The application process typically involves submitting a resume and cover letter, completing an online application form, and participating in interviews with hiring managers and team members.

To apply, visit the Marathon Petroleum careers page and search for the Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst position in Houston, Texas. Be sure to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and qualifications in your application materials.

FAQ

1. What qualifications are required for this role?

   A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Economics, Engineering, Marine or a related discipline is required. Five (5) or more years of experience in Commercial, Risk, Trading Analytics, Marine, Scheduling, or Marketing is also required. Experience in crude oil trading analytics, physical commodity markets, supply optimization, and refinery economics is highly desirable.

2. What are the key responsibilities of this position?

   The key responsibilities include maintaining global crude and heavy products supply-demand models, analyzing differentials and arbitrage opportunities, delivering timely market insights, ensuring data integrity, providing regular market updates, and supporting commercial opportunities.

3. What skills are important for success in this role?

   Important skills include a strong understanding of global crude and heavy products markets, proficiency in data analysis and modeling tools, excellent communication and presentation skills, the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrated commercial judgment and risk management skills.

4. What is the career path for this role?

   This role can lead to more senior positions within trading analytics, risk management, or even into trading positions themselves, such as Lead Trading Analyst, Risk Manager, or Trader.

5. What is the salary range for this position?

   The estimated salary range for the Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst position in Houston, Texas, is between $130,000 and $200,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.

6. What benefits does Marathon Petroleum offer?

   Marathon Petroleum offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company matching contributions, an employee stock purchase plan, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement.

7. What is the company culture like at Marathon Petroleum?

   Marathon Petroleum fosters a collaborative team environment where new ideas are welcomed, diverse perspectives are encouraged, and employees are developed and supported. The company values integrity, safety, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

8. How can I apply for this position?

   Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for the Senior Fundamental Trading Analyst position through the Marathon Petroleum careers website.

9. What is the work environment like in this role?

   The work environment is fast-paced and collaborative, requiring the analyst to work closely with traders, schedulers, and origination teams. The role is designed to be at the heart of trading activity, providing direct exposure to trading decisions and risk management processes.

10. What opportunities for professional development are available?

    Marathon Petroleum is committed to providing its employees with opportunities for growth and advancement. The company offers tuition reimbursement for continuing education and professional development, as well as opportunities to participate in training programs and conferences.