General Manager, Carbon Trading

Confidential | Senior Leadership Appointment | China (Shanghai / Xiamen)

About the Company

Our client is a Fortune Global 500 state-owned enterprise and one of China's largest bulk commodity supply chain groups. The Group serves thousands of large industrial clients including power generators, steel mills, aluminium smelters, and chemical manufacturers, many of whom are now subject to obligations under China's national carbon market.

Leveraging its deep industrial client relationships and commodity expertise, the Group is building a dedicated carbon trading and advisory business to serve these clients. The Carbon Chain business unit currently conducts carbon trading operations and is positioned to grow substantially as China's carbon market expands.

The Opportunity

China's national carbon market is the world's largest by coverage, encompassing over 3,300 regulated emitters and annual trading volumes of 235 million tonnes as of 2025. The market expanded in 2024 to include steel, cement, and aluminium, sectors directly aligned with our client's industrial client base. Absolute emissions caps are scheduled for 2027, significantly raising the financial stakes for covered companies.

This is a commercial leadership role for a carbon specialist who wants to build a meaningful business with institutional backing. The GM will define the strategy, build the team, and grow the carbon trading and consulting revenue base from its current foundation.

Responsibilities

• Execute carbon trading activities including registration, account management, trading of carbon allowances and CCER credits, and management of all internal operational procedures.
• Research and monitor policies and market dynamics relating to carbon peaking, carbon neutrality, low-carbon development, and emissions trading. Provide analysis and strategic support to business development and senior leadership.
• Develop and execute the business plan for carbon trading and green certificate (GEC/REC) operations aligned with the Group's strategic direction.
• Identify, develop, and close external carbon trading consulting mandates with industrial clients.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 12+ years of experience in energy markets, commodity trading, environmental finance, or carbon markets
• Direct, hands-on experience in China's national ETS or regional pilot carbon markets (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Hubei, or others)
• Commercial orientation: a track record of developing external client relationships and closing deals, not purely internal compliance or policy advisory
• Understanding of CCER credits, green energy certificates (GECs/RECs), and their interaction with the compliance carbon market
• Comfortable operating in an early-stage, ambiguous business environment where strategy is still being shaped
• Team-building experience or appetite to build a team from scratch
• Mandarin essential as working language

What Is on Offer

• GM-level appointment within a Fortune Global 500 group
• A genuine greenfield mandate to build China's next major industrial carbon trading platform
• Direct access to thousands of industrial clients entering carbon compliance obligations for the first time
• Location: Shanghai or Xiamen
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience

This is a confidential search. The client's identity will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates only. To express interest or refer a suitable candidate, please contact Spencer Ogden.