Staff Spotlight – Jorge Molinero

Welcome to our ongoing series where we showcase essential members of the Sparta team. Get an inside glimpse of the individuals responsible for keeping Sparta running smoothly, learn about their passions, and discover some of the unsung heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes.

In this interview, we speak with Jorge Molinero – Commodity Owner – Naphtha and LPG. Based in Madrid, Jorge joined us earlier this year to help lead the charge for our upcoming Naphtha vertical. 

Our naphtha vertical will be launching within the next few weeks, and Jorge will be working on weekly market commentaries for naphtha – if you would like to subscribe, please click here

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE COMPANY?

I joined Sparta at the beginning of the year in January 2023, so I’ve been with the company for seven months now.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR ROLE

I am the commodity owner for naphtha. ‘Commodity owner’ is a broad designation, but it means I oversee the naphtha product vertical that we currently have in development. I look at the platform from our customers’ point of view and provide guidance and support across the business to those that need it. 

This can range from assisting the development and data teams in making sure the information we give to customers is relevant and accurate, all the way through to helping sales and marketing understand the benefits of what we’re providing via the platform. The role is a mix between a trading analyst and a product owner, and it involves a combination of analytical skills and product responsibilities.

Apart from the new product release, I will be publishing a weekly market commentary specifically focused on the naphtha market and its fundamentals.

Just like our successful market commentaries on gasoline and distillates, we aim to deliver high-quality content that offers in-depth analysis, up-to-date information, and expert perspectives on the naphtha market. By keeping traders informed about the latest trends, price movements, and key market drivers, I hope to become a trusted resource that enhances traders’ decision-making processes.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY?/CAN YOU GIVE ME A RUNDOWN OF YOUR CAREER PATH UP UNTIL THIS POINT?

I completed a master’s degree in applied economics. Initially, I worked in BBVA, but I wanted to transition to an analyst role. That’s when I had the opportunity to join Repsol’s market intelligence four and a half years ago. After that, I worked as naphtha trading analyst for nearly three years before joining my current role.

During my time at Repsol, I had the opportunity to delve into the world of commodity trading, and it became evident that this sector aligned perfectly with my career aspirations. The experience allowed me to immerse myself in fundamental and market analysis, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Together, with my passion for technology and the dynamic atmosphere of start-ups further fuelled my desire to seek a new step in my professional journey. It was during this exploration that I discovered Sparta, which I found to be a perfect match for my next step. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF WORKING AT OUR COMPANY?

One aspect I truly appreciate is the encouragement to discuss and share innovative ideas about the future of the company. This openness to new possibilities creates an exciting and engaging work environment at Sparta.

Sparta caught my attention for the first time during a demo while I was working as an analyst, I was captivated by the company’s potential. Even in its early stages, the product, and the company itself already had a sense of disruption and innovation that set it apart from others in the market.

Having spent four years working with various tools in the industry, I couldn’t help but feel that Sparta’s tool was something ground-breaking. Its fresh approach and forward-thinking nature resonated with me deeply and made me think that I had to become a part of the company’s future.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE WORK WE DO HERE?

The thing I like the most is the close-knit nature of our company. It’s easy to communicate with anyone through chat and get involved in various discussions and topics. I also think there is a good sense of ownership and being actively involved in the work we do.

It’s been six months since I joined, and during the development of the Naphtha tool, I have learned a lot about the market, the different geographies we track, and the constant conversations with traders. I feel like we are building something together with the main traders of the world, and that is very impressive. I think that the premise “Always put the client first” suits the company very well.

CAN YOU TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT THE UPCOMING NAPHTHA RELEASE OFFERS NAPHTHA TRADERS?

We will implement a global arb tracking tool, like the ones we have for gasoline and distillates, and I hope it proves to be equally successful. I believe that the key to our success lies in actively listening to our users and leveraging their feedback; these ongoing conversations consistently drive our decision-making process.

Of course, our aim is to continually expand the tool’s capabilities by adding more prices and routes. We plan to explore the intricate connections of naphtha with gasoline, LPG, and petrochemicals, seeking opportunities to enhance our offerings in these markets.

WHAT SPECIFIC CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED WHILE DEVELOPING THE NAPHTHA TOOL?

One of the main challenges has been adapting to SaaS and product development. While I was familiar with using SAAS to read the market, working within a larger development team required a deeper understanding of the developers’ needs. It has been a learning process, but it has ultimately improved our workflow and collaboration.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE OUR COMPANY CULTURE?

I really enjoy the start-up environment here at Sparta. It’s a place where everyone’s input is highly valued and taken into account equally. Collaboration and teamwork are at the core of our culture, and this helps to create a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere.

WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT?

I guess this isn’t a crazy thing, but I’ve been playing the guitar for 10 years. Over the years I have played in some bands too, although none right now. I am also a passionate climber, here where I live in Madrid there’s plenty of places to climb in the mountains nearby.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Keep working hard, you’ll see the results.

HOW HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED OVER TIME SINCE YOU’VE BEEN HERE?

Since joining the company, my role has undergone a significant evolution. Initially, it took me about a month and a half or two months to fully understand the inner workings of the company and become familiar with its unique environment. As someone new to this type of environment, there was a period of adjustment as I immersed myself in new projects and addressed the challenges specific to the naphtha market. This hands-on experience and continuous learning have allowed my role to evolve and expand in terms of responsibilities and contributions.

Now that the product development phase is nearing completion, my focus will shift towards becoming more of a market analyst. I plan to leverage our tool to provide valuable trading insights through market commentaries and explore additional research features that we aim to introduce in the future. This transition has been on my mind for the past few months, and I am eagerly looking forward to commencing the publishing of my work.

WHAT’S THE MOST INTERESTING PROJECT YOU HAVE WORKED ON HERE?

When I first joined, diving into understanding how the company operates and the intricacies of our work was particularly fascinating. Coming from a different environment, it was refreshing to witness a more collaborative approach to problem-solving and decision-making. It has been a valuable learning experience and has contributed to my overall growth within the company.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH THAT PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOUR JOB?

One thing I wish people knew about my job is the emphasis on bridging the gap between market insights and product development. I take a holistic approach to our offerings, integrating market intelligence with customer perspectives. By understanding the needs and challenges of traders, we can create tailored solutions that empower decision-making in the trading realm. It’s not just about providing data and analysis; it’s about delivering practical and valuable tools that resonate with our users.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS/YEARS?

Looking ahead, my primary goal is to establish the products I’m involved with as trusted and influential tools within the trading industry. I strive for our analysis and offerings to become indispensable assets that traders rely on for informed decision-making. In the coming months and years, I aim to further enhance our market insights, refine our product offerings, and solidify our position as a leading resource within the industry.

IF YOU HAD THREE WISHES, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

If I had three wishes, my first wish would be for the well-being and happiness of my family. The second wish would be to continue progressing in my career, learning, and taking new steps towards success. And the third would be a flat in Madrid city centre.

WHAT’S ONE THING THAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT YOUR CURRENT ROLE?

One aspect that has pleasantly surprised me about my current role is the remarkable level of openness and accessibility in communication within the company. Whether it’s interacting with the frontend, backend, product, or marketing teams, there is a genuine willingness to engage in straightforward conversations and share knowledge. This collaborative atmosphere has provided me with valuable opportunities to learn from experts in various domains, contributing to my overall growth and understanding of the industry.

WHAT’S THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?

Let me check my Spotify, ah yes! The last song I listened to was “I Wanna Be Adored” by The Stone Roses.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, ARE YOU CURRENTLY BINGE-WATCHING OR READING?

Oh, I’m not really into binge-watching any series at the moment. I’ve been more focused on reading lately. The last book I picked up was “The World For Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth’s Resources” by Jack Farchy and Javier Blas.

The book incredibly interesting and gives you this historical perspective on what we’re doing in our line of work. I was totally hooked, especially because it coincided with the time when I was knee-deep in developing the tool and thinking about our customers.

WHAT’S ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

One thing on my bucket list is to visit Argentina, but I have to find the dates yet.

Jorge is one of our commodity owners here at Sparta and can be contacted at Jorge.molinero@spartacommodities.com

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Sparta is a live, market intelligence and forecasting platform that enables oil traders, refiners, banks, hedge funds and wholesalers to have access to real-time and global actionable insights to capture market opportunities before others.

To find out how Sparta can allow you to make smarter trading decisions, faster, contact us for a demonstration at sales@spartacommodites.com