Trading Analyst, Power & Gas

The role of Trading Analyst is a salaried exempt, non-supervisory role responsible for performing analyses of the natural gas markets and creating simulation models for trading for the North American markets. This position will assist with developing and improving existing systems & processes that automate the analysis, presentation, and aggregation of energy data. The position of Trading Analyst has the primary responsibility of verifying, tracking, and monitoring the inventory and fixed price processes. This position reports to the VP, Commercial Operations and is located onsite at the MPG office in Houston, Texas.

Responsibilities:

Market Analysis:

• Conduct market research and analyze results to make recommendations for possible adjustments to overall sales and marketing strategy.
• Monitor and mitigate risk exposure for Company by focusing on inventory & fixed price positions.
• Monitor real-time market conditions, transmission congestion, congestion patterns and system operations to support trading decisions.
• Develop and maintain models for forecasting congestion and pricing dynamics in power markets.
• Determines risk and optionality value (rewards) of controlling certain assets and uses physical commodity, transportation and storage assets, and financial tools (such as futures, swaps, and options) to optimize these assets.
• Support senior staff to develop risk models and reports that accurately capture material risks specific to market/asset/region and trading strategy.
• Assist with ongoing monitoring of portfolio risk with weekly commentary on utilization, new activity, market events and liquidity.

Reporting:

• Work with sales and supply daily to assure all fixed price deals (daily/weekly/monthly/term) are being billed correctly, hedges remain balanced, and monitor any additional risks involved in fixed pricing (wet hedge, portfolio, etc.)
• Create and distribute confirms for all deals as well as working to ensure legal receives signs copies of each for filing.
• Create & maintain P&L sheets in Excel for various hedge risk customers and inventories.
• Investigate P&L issues in daily business while indexing any risk that either needs to be covered or is otherwise not being handled appropriately.
• Generate daily/weekly reports on market activity, portfolio performance, and market outlook.
• Provides ad-hoc analytical support to senior leadership in the form of analysis, reports, and presentations on demand.
• Employ standardized enhanced Risk Measurement practices into daily, weekly, and/or monthly reporting.
• As directed, resolve discrepancies and inaccuracies in contracts by communicating with traders, customers, and brokers; escalate to Senior Team Members as needed.
• As directed, provide support of compliance and audit activities.

Process Improvement:

• Collaborate with the I.T. department to improve the underlying risk analyses systems infrastructure (models, calculations, data flows, reports, etc.).
• Identify areas for improvements and continual development of risk models, systems enhancements, internal processes and other relevant areas in order to optimize the efficient analyses of natural gas markets.
• Provide back up for the responsibilities of other Risk Team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

Formal Education & Certification:

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Computer Science, or another related quantitative field with a strong foundation in mathematics and/or statistical analysis.
• Master's degree (or MBA) in quantitative discipline a plus.

Knowledge & Experience:

• 1+ years of experience in wholesale and/or retail natural gas markets.
• Preference given to applicants with working knowledge of Natural Gas retail & wholesale industry segments.
• Experience and understanding of risk exposures, P&L and performance reporting, quantitative and analytical skills.
• Experience building financial models and reports including physical modeling of natural gas markets.
• Advanced level of experience in using Excel, SQL and PowerBI to build analysis models.
• Experience in fixed price, hedging and/or refined products supply required.
• Have knowledge of interstate pipeline delivery point economics in order to effectively communicate with Sales representatives and ensure seamless execution of Sales deals & commodity movements.

Qualifications & Characteristics:

• Must be willing to work unusual/extended hours as necessary during seasonal peaks which may include partial weekend coverage. Individual must have ability to handle heavy workloads in a potentially stressful environment with multiple deadlines.
• Must be decisive, detail oriented, have strong problem solving/analytical skills and must constantly strive for process improvement.
• Must be comfortable working with multiple computer programs and be willing to work on and learn new technology.
• Ability to analyze large volumes of data and present results in a clear, concise written format.
• Ability to communicate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams and present ideas and data in a clear, concise manner.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet tight deadlines and interact effectively in a team environment.

Work Environment:

• After completion of the introductory period of employment, this position is eligible for the Company's 3x2 hybrid work schedule which consists of a 40-hour work week with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote, business conditions permitting.
• Able to work remotely during emergency or critical operating conditions.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Able to view computer terminal for prolonged periods of time.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other computer components.
• Close visual acuity needed to review financial statements and for discerning fine print.
• As directed, this position will have planned, overnight and weekend travel to Company headquarters several times a year along with travel to pipeline & customer meetings and/or energy industry conferences.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.