Merchandising Assistant

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 17,000 people globally.

Overall Purpose and Objective of Position

This position performs various clerical/accounting responsibilities and customer service-related functions for the merchandising department in the Claypool, IN office of a privately held firm involved in the international trading and merchandising of agricultural commodities and biofuels.  This position will include calling customers to obtain documents, calling brokers to obtain information, screening calls for the merchandising department and other customer service issues that require discretion.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Enter sales contracts and amendments for soybean meal and soy hull pellets into the Front Office System.
• Responsible for sorting and maintaining tickets for outbound meal and pellet shipments.

• Invoice customers for soybean meal and soy hull pellets.

• Proactively reach out to customers regarding Accounts Receivables issues.

• Assures accuracy and timeliness of data taken for Merchandisers, along with being the first check for reasonableness of accuracy received.
• Work with credit department to set up new customers as needed.
• Printing and filing of various reports and documents daily.

• Some weekend work required.

Additional Responsibilities

• Enters data into the Daily Production Report as needed.

• Organizes the lease car fleet, orders cars with the NS railroad, bills railcars, and invoices customers for lease car demurrage as needed.

• Serves as a backup for other clerks in the office as needed.

• Provide telephone reception support for merchandising staff and talks to customers answering questions in a professional manner as needed.

• Serves as a liaison between the Merchandising desk and execution and logistics areas of the office.  
• Actively participates in job-related training as required.

• Completes other duties as assigned.

Company Conformance Statements

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with co-workers, Company business associates and the general public.
• Work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the Company.
• Operate in a fully responsible manner and comply with the law and Company policy.

Working Conditions

• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.
• Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies. 
• Periodic visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions.
• Fast paced, trading floor environment.
• Interacts closely with personnel in other departments and Company locations.
• Interacts closely with middle and senior management personnel.

Decision Making/Accountability

• Handle and report customer issues or questions concerning purchasing and/or sales as directed by Management.  Directly accountable for the accuracy of data collected, understanding and interpretation of Position reports, ensures integrity of data reported, reports produced without supervision, identifies data discrepancy issues, determines responsible parties, and follows issues through to resolution, inaccurate position data or data reported to Merchandisers can result in significant financial losses to the Company, priorities personal workload throughout the day to ensure meeting of deadlines.

Basic qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED
• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred qualifications:

• Associates Degree or higher

Experience

Basic qualifications:

• Experience in an office environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• One year experience in an office environment of an agricultural commodities company.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Strong practical accounting, analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Knowledge and interpretation of Position reporting.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word-processing software, (e.g., Excel and MS Word).

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of grain industry practices, terminology, and settlement process.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Ability to work in an active and fast-paced department.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet strict daily deadlines. 

Equipment Used

• Typical office equipment: PC, telephone, fax machine.

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
- Hybrid 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