Merchandiser

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 position will be responsible for merchandising grains and oilseeds with specific emphasis on origination into a river or export terminal. 

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Devise and execute merchandising strategies for commodities 

• Aggressively originate commodities by developing a rapport with local farming/commercial community  

• Build strategies to maintain long term relationships with customer base 

• Organize and execute FOB bushel ownership program and manage dispatching of trucks  

• Structure daily bids to be competitive with the local market and distribute to customer base 

• Participate in daily conference calls reporting market information to regional traders 

• Compose market wires weekly with additional reporting as needed  

• Regularly report real-time market information on intercompany chat system 

• Lead and participate in customer visits as well as industry social events 

• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the customer’s business including the functionally of his/her operations, provide customers with knowledge of the markets. 

• Collaboratively support logistics on load schedules.  

• Apply, process and settle tickets daily 

• Accurately enter contracts, pricing and amendments daily  

Additional Responsibilities 

• Set up new customer accounts 

• Support customers with split payments, account issues, and direct deposit set up 

• Prepare and maintain various spreadsheets relative to the business.   

• Gather news, statistics and information related to individual commodity supply and demand from customers and trade sources, and distribute that information to the remainder of the group to support overall strategic trading/positioning (i.e., contributes to research function) 

• Identify, qualify and capture new business 

• Understand and input data into CINCH, Compuweigh and probing / grading operations. 

• Participate in regular crop tours to assess conditions and potential yields to anticipate markets. 

• Become familiar with all physical plant operations including safety, grading, truck dumping, and barge loading procedures. 

• Travel and work at other facilities expected periodically on a short-term basis as needed 

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses 

Basic qualifications:   

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Business Administration or other business discipline. 

• Valid Driver’s License 

Experience 

Basic qualifications:  

4 years in one or more of the following: 

• Commodity Merchandising/Origination/Trading.   

• Commodity Risk Management 

• Logistics/Operations (i.e., coordination of shipments and deliveries) 

Preferred qualifications: 

• Previous experience in grain Merchandising/Origination 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands) 

Basic qualifications: 

• Basic knowledge of futures markets, hedging and arbitrage 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills 

• Strong quantitative skills, including basic knowledge of statistics, algebra (e.g., supply and demand relationships, analysis of price relationships) 

• Ability to organize multiple responsibilities, prioritize workload and perform multiple tasks simultaneously 

• Ability to work with minimal supervision 

• Must be able to climb stairs 

• Must be able to periodically work outdoors and lift small objects 

• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software, (e.g., Excel and MS Word). 

• Must be a motivated self-starter  

Equipment Used 

• Typical office equipment: PC, telephone, scan/fax machine, PDA’s. 

• Where appropriate, personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn in compliance with Company standards and governmental regulations 

Working Conditions 

• Primarily works in a climate-controlled office environment with periodic visits to operational areas resulting in exposure to a variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions.  This may also result in occasional exposure to dust, odors, gases, vapors, wet or slick surfaces and loud noises. The extension of regular working hours is occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects, attend training or respond to emergencies.   

• Work extended hours during peak truck receiving months. 

Employee Supervision 

• No direct supervision responsibilities 

Decision Making/Accountability 

• Processes a variety of information and data to devise and execute trading strategies.  Negotiates with trade counterparts to maximize corporate returns.  Advises and recommends trading strategies, assesses risk pertaining to buying and selling and negotiates contract terms with clients. 

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