Assistant Commercial Manager

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Overall Purpose and Objective of Position

This position serves the assistant commercial lead of a greenfield soybean processing plant in Ohio.  This role will be critical in developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local farm community, feed buyers and logistics providers including truck carriers and both short-line and Class 1 railroads.  Role will be expected to foster a professional and collaborative atmosphere between the commercial and industry management of the facility

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Defines and executes the grains & oilseeds origination strategy from the local farm & commercial supply base 
• Engages with broader team to map out & execute carry strategy to maximize storage value
• Develops and fosters commercial relationships with suppliers & customers to expand market opportunities 
• Coordinates with soybean meal and hull marketers to buy grain in areas that maximize backhaul opportunities.
• Communicates commercial priorities on commodity receiving and load out with operations group
• Maintains daily communication, organizes logistical services, and assists with accounting issues with suppliers.
• Communicates regularly with US soybean team to origination strategy and pricing targets.

• 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 origination team & drives team’s professional development 
• Assists in business analysis for internal and external implementation 
• Tuned into all CBOT, NOPA, etc., oilseed complex trade rule developments
• Participates in strategic planning discussions 

Additional Responsibilities

• Participates in the recruitment, hiring and development of 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
• Serves as a 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

• Helps manage receivables and facilitates innovative methods to keep accounts receivables in check

• Identifies, qualifies and captures new business; develops and contributes to customer/supplier list.
• Works closely with soybean receiving office, learns Compuweigh and probing / grading operations. 
• Weekend work may be required
• 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 all laws and Company policies.

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Basic qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree

Experience

Basic qualifications:

• Eight or more years of experience in the grain business in a merchandising capacity
• Understanding of inventory and quality management as well as experience with rail logistics

Preferred

• Experience with processing

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Working 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
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software, (e.g., Excel and MS Word).
• Must have valid driver’s license

Equipment Used

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

Working Conditions

• Primarily climate-controlled office environment.  Periodic visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure during such visits to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions. Interacts closely with personnel in other departments and company locations, interacts closely with middle and senior level management, domestic travel to visit customers required (up to 30% at times).  Call-ins or the extension of regular working hours (50-60 hours per week) are occasionally needed to complete time-sensitive projects or respond to emergencies.

Employee Supervision

• No direct supervision responsibilities but may supervise Merchandisers in the future

Decision Making/Accountability

• Processes a variety of information and data to help 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.

Additional Information

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