What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commodity Trader position at Merus, LLC?
Who We Are
Merus, LLC is a fast-paced, high-energy agribusiness trading firm based in Minneapolis. We’re experts in merchandising physical agricultural commodities—domestic and international—especially grain, feed, and food products. Our team thrives on out-thinking supply chains, navigating real-time volatility, and delivering value to customers and suppliers alike. meruscompanies.com
We’re not a big corporate desk with rigid structure. We’re nimble. We move fast. No two days are the same, and the opportunity to grow is enormous.
What You’ll Do
As a Commodity Trader, you will be learning the ropes while also being given real responsibility from the start. You’ll work hands-on across a variety of tasks, with increasing autonomy as you prove yourself.
Responsibilities:
Monitor grain/feed/food markets: pricing, supply/demand signals, weather, geopolitics, logistics etc.
Help identify and analyze trade ideas: where to buy, when to sell, when to wait.
Assist in deal execution: contracting, scheduling shipments, coordinating logistics (rail, shipping, trucking), quality control, documentation.
Maintain relationships with suppliers, brokers, customers. Communicate fast, clearly, and proactively.
Track performance of trades: P&L, risk exposure, compliance.
Support senior traders in negotiating, hedging, and risk mitigation strategies.
As you grow, take on your own book of business: sourcing, structuring, executing.
Who You Are
We’re looking for someone who’s not afraid to dive in, who can think on their feet, who’s entrepreneurial, curious, and willing to learn. Someone who sees opportunity in market moves and pounces.
Qualifications & Traits:
Bachelor’s degree (e.g. Economics, Ag Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related).
Strong analytical skills: comfort with numbers, spreadsheets, cost modeling.
Quick learner, high energy. Able to adapt when things change (because in trading, they always do).
Excellent communication: both verbal and written. Be able to pitch ideas and back them up.
Some understanding of commodities / agriculture / logistics is a plus—but passion and hustle can make up for missing domain experience.
Risk-aware mindset: wanting to win, but knowing downside matters.
Entrepreneurial spirit: you want to take initiative, generate ideas, build something.
What’s In It For You
This isn’t just another “entry level” desk job. Here’s what makes us different:
Learn from the best. Founding partners at Merus have decades of experience. You’ll be right there in the room, seeing how real trading decisions happen. meruscompanies.com
Fast growth. Perform well, and you’ll get responsibility quickly—owning deals, working independently, building your own book.
Dynamic environment. No two days are the same. Market opens, global shipments, real logistics issues, surprise price swings—move fast or you get left behind.
Impact. Your work directly influences profit, gets things shipped, helps customers, builds trust. You’re not just a cog in a machine.
Compensation perks. Competitive base salary, performance bonus, exposure to P&L. Maybe other perks depending on location and seniority.
Bonus Points If You
Speak another language used in agriculture / feed export markets.
Have experience (internship, side-project, etc.) in commodities, agriculture, supply chain, or international trade.
Know your way around freight/shipping/logistics.
Are comfortable with data: spreadsheets, building your own dashboards, maybe even some programming or statistical tools.
If you want to be part of a team that moves fast, thinks bigger, and gives you the space to own things, this is your spot. Ready to take the next leap? Send us your resume, tell us about one trade idea you think is interesting today, and let’s talk.