Commercial Manager

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

This commercial manager serves as the local commercial lead of a multi-modal grain export elevator located in northwest Indiana.  This role will be critical in developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local farm community, the Ports of Indiana, feed buyers and logistics providers including truck carriers and both short-line and Class 1 railroads.  Individual will be expected to foster a professional and collaborative atmosphere between regional product lines, local commercial team and industry management to maximize opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Plans and executes the grains & oilseeds origination strategy from the local farm & commercial supply base 
• Engages with regional traders to map out & execute grain & oilseed carry strategy to maximize storage value
• Collaborates with regional product lines to identify trading opportunities leveraging asset footprint
• Seeks out opportunities to generate commercial margin from atypical commodity flows
• Develops and fosters commercial relationships with suppliers & customers to expand market opportunities 
• Maintains a strong working relationship with the local Ports of Indiana Port Director
• Serves as the primary local liaison between the commercial team and the operations group
• Communicates commercial priorities on commodity receiving and load out with operations group
• Maintains strong working relationship with local short lines (BHSL and IHB) as well as the Class 1 carriers
• Develops & maintains local supply/demand balance sheets for use in shaping soybean procurement effort 
• Distributes daily/weekly market wires to regional group recapping relevant trade highlights 
• Actively participates in regularly scheduled market calls, internal market chats and balance sheet discussions 
• Ensures timely entry of trades into position management system and validates daily positions 
• Leads local commercial & administrative team and drives team’s professional development 
• Assists in business analysis for internal and external implementation 
• Participates in strategic planning discussions 

Additional Responsibilities

• Responsible for recruiting, hiring and developing a strong and talented local team.
• Provides regular performance feedback to direct reports, ensuring individuals are rewarded for performance.
• Enhances LDC’s brand awareness in the local area through community engagement and outreach
• Commercial lead on KPIs, daily production report and other internally produced industrial reports 
• Stays abreast of all company, federal, state and local laws, regulations tied to grain handling to ensure compliance
• Actively supports the Company’s Safety, Health and Environmental systems and objectives
• Follows updates to & ensures compliance with NGFA trade rule developments 
• Other duties as assigned 

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

• A Bachelor’s degree in with a focus in Agriculture, Economics, Finance or Business Administration is preferred

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in the Grains and Oilseeds industry 
• Prior asset management experience with exposure to rail, barge and/or vessel logistics  
• Thorough understanding of balance sheet analysis, position management & profit and loss reporting 
• Prior experience interacting with rail class 1 railroads

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

• Knows the competitive landscape and is aware of how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace
• Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices & trends affecting the grain business
• Builds appropriate rapport with farm community and employees using diplomacy and tact
• Effectively defuses high-tension situations comfortably
• Negotiates skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups
• Quickly gains trust of other parties in negotiations
• Steadfastly pushes self and others for results
• Communicates clearly in both verbal and written form and can set clear direction and stretch goals
• Monitors workloads and recognizes and easily expresses appreciation for extra effort
• Constructs compelling developmental plans and assists in their execution
• Clearly and comfortably delegates both routine and important tasks and decisions to individuals and teams
• Shares wins and successes and creates a team atmosphere
• Proficient with spreadsheets, word-processing software and web-based applications
• Must be able to periodically work outdoors and lift small objects

Employee Supervision

• Oversees local commercial and administrative staff

Decision Making/Accountability

• Accountable for the supervision of the local commercial, logistics and clerical office staff
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with the local farm community and employees
• Prioritizes work schedule to meet deadlines and continuously adjusts priorities to meet unexpected problems
• Works with little supervision and consults with supervisor regarding unusual problems or occurrences.
• Completes various projects and duties as assigned by their immediate manager.
• Occasional travel required.

Safety, Health & Environmental Responsibilities
Is an active member of the facility SHE Program. Maintains good working knowledge of SHE policies, rules and procedures applicable to area of responsibility and ensures all applicable requirements are adhered to. Ensures employees are provided required training for area assigned, and jobs and tasks prior to assigning work. Ensures area of responsibility is maintained in orderly and safe manner. Ensures unsafe working conditions are remedied as soon as practicable.

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Flexible work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us