WSMD Analyst/Controller

The role :
We are seeking an experienced WSMD Analyst to join Mercuria's Metals Operations team in Geneva. The successful candidate will act as a technical and operational backbone for all weighing, sampling, moisture determination, and assaying activities across our concentrates portfolio. This is a hands-on, high-accountability role requiring deep field expertise, strong analytical discipline, and the ability to operate independently across multiple geographies.
The role requires regular international travel — typically several weeks per month (up to 50%) — to audit, review, and support blending and WSMD operations at smelters, ports, and warehousing facilities across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Key responsibilities :
WSMD Operations & Contract Management :
Interpret and operationalise WSMD terms within commercial contracts, including settlement structures, lot sizes, sample frequency, moisture determinations, and applicable ISO standards.
Oversee and quality-assure weighing, sampling, and moisture determination processes at third-party facilities to ensure accuracy in commercial settlements.
Reconcile assay results and data from multiple sources to ensure quality and integrity in transactions; identify and investigate discrepancies.
Lead and support dispute resolution processes related to WSMD outcomes, including preparation of technical claims
Draft, review, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all WSMD activities in line with industry best practice and ISO methodologies.

Blending Operations :
Design, commission, and operationalise blending facilities from scratch for copper concentrates, gold concentrates, lead concentrates, and zinc concentrates.
Manage day-to-day blending operations including stock planning, blend sequencing, cost management, and output quality control.
Identify and drive blending optimisation opportunities to maximise value recovery and reduce per-tonne operational costs.

Field Auditing & Quality Assurance :
Travel internationally on a monthly basis to conduct operational audits of WSMD and blending activities at warehouses, ports, and smelter sites.
Assess compliance of third-party operators with contractual WSMD terms, ISO sampling standards, and Mercuria SOPs.
Produce structured audit reports with clear findings, risk flags, and actionable recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.

Reporting & Analytics :
Produce regular operational reports on WSMD performance, blending outcomes, cost variances, and value recovery metrics for senior management and trading desks.
Maintain accurate operational records and data systems; support continuous improvement of reporting frameworks.
Provide technical input and briefings to traders, originators, and logistics counterparts on WSMD-related risks

Your Profile :
Experience :
10+ years of hands-on experience in WSMD roles within the metals concentrates or mining sector, with a demonstrable track record of operational accountability.
Proven experience designing, commissioning, and running blending facilities for one or more of: copper concentrates, gold concentrates, lead concentrates, zinc concentrates.
Experience working across multiple geographies, including managing third-party service providers in diverse regulatory and operational environments.
Background at a major commodity trading house, mining company, or large-scale terminal operator is strongly preferred.

Technical Knowledge :
In-depth understanding of industry-standard WSMD methodology: mechanical sampling systems, manual sampling protocols, sample reduction techniques (rotary division, riffle splitting), sample drying, and moisture determination.
Strong working knowledge of relevant ISO standards (ISO 12743, ISO 3082, ISO 10251 and related series) and their practical application in field environments.
Familiarity with common sampling tools and equipment used in port, warehouse, and smelter contexts.
Ability to identify sources of sampling bias, measurement error, and process deviations —and to quantify their commercial impact.

Soft Skills & Competencies :
Strong reporting and written communication skills; able to produce clear, concise technical reports for both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Structured analytical thinking with a data-focused, results-driven mindset.
Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy in field environments and making independent judgements under time pressure.
Collaborative and credible in cross-functional environments; able to engage effectively with traders, logistics counterparts, legal teams, and external surveyors.
Willing and able to travel internationally on a sustained basis — typically multiple weeks per month.

Languages :
Full professional proficiency in English and Spanish