Overview

Topco Associates is currently seeking an Analyst to join our Commodities Team in Itasca, IL. This position will be a hybrid role, with the successful candidate conducting work in our Itasca office three times per week and virtually twice per week.

Topco's mission is to provide solutions for our member owners, regional retailers and wholesalers, and help them achieve a competitive advantage in the markets they serve. We aspire to develop high-performing teams to resemble the diversity of our members' shopper communities to drive greater innovation and creativity that ultimately enhances our business results and the value Topco provides to its membership.

Responsible for maintaining database related to meat or dairy; analyzing fundamentals related to setting risk management and buying strategies; initiate/maintain communication with members, Topco purchasing team and management; develop and implement price forecasting models to support purchasing decisions; and initiate and execute risk management strategies. 

Responsibilities

Commodity Market Intelligence: 

• Performs market analysis functions including information gathering, market analysis, database maintenance and forecasting. 
• Supervises the maintenance of Topco's historical database of supply and demand factors related to meat. 
• Identifies and evaluates potential impacts on forward pricing. 

• Leads efforts in industry research to support purchasing decisions. 

Communication: 

• Communicates relevant market data to meat purchasing team including preparation of charts, tables and price trends.
• Supports commodity outlook reports to members, Topco purchasing team and management. 
• Develop and maintain price forecasts used by meat purchasing team. 
• Analyze and recommend pricing decisions and agreements with members, vendors and Topco purchasing team to achieve members price objective while minimizing Topco's risk. 
• Develop procurement strategies and recommendations to provide Topco and its members with favorable forward buying strategies. 
• Write and disseminate Topco's Buyers Notes. 

Analytical Skills: 

• Analyze fundamental and technical analysis related to setting risk management and buying strategies. 
• Identify and evaluate forward pricing and hedging opportunities/strategies. 
• Develop and execute meat or dairy price forecasting models. 
• Model impact of macroeconomic price changes to grain and meat markets. 

Risk Management: 

• Develop hedge proposals aligned with meat purchasing team and forward buying opportunity. 
• Utilize exchange traded futures and options through the various Boards of Trade as well as through raw material suppliers. 
• Develop strategy and tactics to optimize cost of ownership. 
• Track hedges, evaluate performance and report hedge effectiveness 

Qualifications

Education 

BS degree in Ag Econ, Econ, Finance, Mathematics or Statistic required, MS degree in Ag Econ, Econ, Finance, Mathematics or Statistics preferred.

Previous Experience 

• 2-3 years relevant experience in commodity price analysis 

Knowledge/Competencies:  

• Spreadsheet and database software skills 
• Demonstrated understanding of commodity tools including futures and options 
• Ability to perform financial and statistical analyses 
• Advanced statistical modeling preferred 

Other Qualifications 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Attention to detail 
• Capacity to improve analytical and forecasting skills

Topco strives for a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects our member shopper’s communities. If your experience similarly reflects what you see listed in the job description, please consider applying, as individuals come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence; therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Topco is an equal employment opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis, including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, veteran's status, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.