Commercial Operations Development Program

At Shell, Early Career talent plays an important role in powering the future of energy. Through internships, apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and opportunities for students and early professionals, we empower individuals to learn, grow, and make meaningful contributions from day one. We support talent at different stages of their career journey through mentorship and exposure to diverse areas of our business, helping them build skills and explore future career pathways at Shell.

In our values-led culture, you'll have the opportunity to power your progress while helping develop the energy solutions of today and tomorrow.

The Commercial Operations Development Program (STR Operations Development Program, SoDP) is a traineeship opportunity for individuals who are interested in becoming future commercial operators within Shell.

• Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Worker Type: Regular
• The duration of the program is two (2) years.

Shell Trading & Supply is the principal trading and shipping business within Shell. It is made up of a network of independent companies that trade in their own right but also leverage the opportunities open to a global organisation by sharing information, advice and best practice.

We trade the equivalent of about 14 million barrels of oil per day - this is made up of crude oil, refined products, chemicals, natural gas, electrical power, low carbon fuels and environmental products. With the skill base and international scope to capitalise on trading opportunities inherent in Shell's asset and market positions around the world, our key trading and marketing operations are based in North and South America, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) is at the core of what we do at Shell.

What’s the role?

The traineeship aims to develop you to be a good operator which means that once traders get the ‘trade’ in, operators need to guide their distribution in the right direction. You will be the first contact for the ports worldwide, the Traders, the customs and internal contacts.

What you’ll be doing

During the traineeship you will learn a lot of different aspects related to Trading & Supply Operations.

For example:

• Setting up contracts with the Traders
• Deciding on which claims are well founded or not
• Logistical planning for transportation

After the successful completion of the traineeship, the next steps in your career will be discussed based on your abilities and interests, with the aim of becoming a successful commercial operator on a trading operations desk.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s (HBO) or Master’s Degree
• Preferably some working experience
• Strong interest in either Supply chain, Trading or Oil & Freight Operations
• Fluent in English. German and French language skills are an advantage
• Good communication & analytical skills
• Resilient and having the ability to plan your activities and work with sometimes conflicting deadlines in order to comply with business needs and policy guidelines
• A good team player and self-motivated, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to liaise effectively with all levels of internal and external stakeholders
• A multi-tasking self-starter who, after training, is capable of working independently without supervision