KRISHNA THAKKER
Dubai
Summary
Commercial trading manager with 12+ years of experience in petrochemical and energy sectors across GCC and Indian markets. Specializes in identifying arbitrage opportunities and managing complex P&L structures. Demonstrated success in establishing trading desks, onboarding strategic suppliers, and negotiating high-stakes contracts in volatile environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Trader – Oil Products
Confidential
Dubai
07.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded the end-to-end establishment of a bulk bitumen trading desk specifically targeting the high-growth Indian market; identified and onboarded strategic Tier-1 suppliers and secured a robust initial customer pipeline.
- Managed full trade lifecycle for distillate products, including complex pricing strategies, negotiation of multi-million-dollar commercial terms, and detailed cargo planning to maximize profitability.
- Oversaw P&L accountability, conducting margin evaluations, credit risk assessments, and exposure monitoring to align trading activities with corporate risk appetite and profitability targets.
- Perform deep-dive market analysis on regional S&D dynamics, freight economics, and product spreads; leveraged these insights to successfully execute arbitrage opportunities and optimize trading margins.
- Led cross-functional coordination with maritime stakeholders—including surveyors, shipping agents, and terminals—to ensure the seamless physical execution of bulk cargoes and minimize demurrage risks.
Area Sales Manager
SFK Chemicals Trading LLC
Dubai
04.2022 - 06.2023
- Managed a diverse portfolio of 50+ chemical raw materials (solvents, acids, amines) across the UAE, consistently meeting aggressive volume and revenue targets for the industrial sector.
- Aggressively expanded the company's market footprint by penetrating new industrial segments including packaging, coatings, and manufacturing, resulting in a significant increase in active accounts.
- Managed personal trading book with full autonomy over daily pricing decisions and margin management, controlling credit exposure for diverse client base.
- Negotiated bespoke commercial agreements that balanced competitive market pricing with internal profitability and supply chain constraints.
Manager – Base Oil Trade
SPG Energy FZE
Dubai
09.2019 - 03.2022
- Engineered a market entry strategy for Group II base oils in the UAE, successfully onboarding major lubricant blenders and large-scale industrial consumers.
- Expanded supplier base to include regional refiners, diversifying supply chains and enhancing procurement strategies through competitive bidding.
- Architected trading operations in Hamriyah Free Zone, managing regulatory setup, licensing requirements, and operational infrastructure for effective market entry.
- Drafted and negotiated complex Sales and Purchase Agreements (SPAs), ensuring all terms were compliant with Incoterms 2020 and international maritime trade standards.
- Directed execution of bulk cargoes, overseeing scheduling, vessel vetting, and meticulous shipping documentation to minimize port delays.
- Managed rigorous export documentation processes, ensuring total compliance with UAE customs regulations and specific international trade credit requirements (LCs).
Sales Executive
Kismat Energy DMCC
Dubai
07.2016 - 03.2017
- Identified and captured high-value commercial opportunities in regional energy market, leveraging technical and fundamental market analysis to drive revenue growth.
- Developed structured market outreach strategy that successfully onboarded Tier-2 industrial consumers, enhancing firm's DMCC trading footprint.
- Executed end-to-end sales cycles, managing initial inquiry and credit vetting through final cargo delivery, ensuring compliance and risk benchmarks were consistently met.
Sales Executive
M H Enterprises LLC
Dubai
06.2014 - 07.2016
- Managed a diverse portfolio of chemical product accounts, overseeing the commercial relationship for key industrial clients across the UAE and GCC region.
- Analyzed supply-demand dynamics to support strategic pricing discussions, providing data-driven recommendations that enhanced transaction margins.
- Coordinated logistics execution for bulk and parcel deliveries, collaborating with shipping agents and warehouses to minimize operational slippage and demurrage.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Petrochemical
Maharastra Institute of Technology
Pune, India01-2011
Skills
- Trade execution and pricing strategy
- Market analysis and risk management
- Credit risk management
- P&L ownership
- Sales and purchase contracts
- Market development
- Supply chain optimization
- Bulk vessel operations
- Customer relationship management
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Gujarati
- Marathi
- Bengali
Hobbies and Interests
- Stand Up Comedy
- Music
- Cricket
- Amateur Chess
Timeline
Trader – Oil Products
Confidential
07.2023 - Current
Area Sales Manager
SFK Chemicals Trading LLC
04.2022 - 06.2023
Manager – Base Oil Trade
SPG Energy FZE
09.2019 - 03.2022
Sales Executive
Kismat Energy DMCC
07.2016 - 03.2017
Sales Executive
M H Enterprises LLC
06.2014 - 07.2016
Bachelor of Engineering - Petrochemical
Maharastra Institute of Technology