What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Merchant position at Scoular?
About The Role
The Eastern Rail Senior Merchant is an experienced commodity trader with developed trade skills and will trade eastern rail markets specific to CN, NS and CSX railroads. This role has responsibility to interpret the rail market, formulate and communicate market opinions and take risk/reward positions for the Scoular company. The Senior Merchant is expected to build deep customer relationships with both the buyer and seller, with added focus on commercial relationships with both the origin elevators and end user customers. This position plays a critical role in mentoring and guiding other Merchants on the team.
Market Analytics:
Scoular has been leading the way in safe, reliable, and innovative supply chain solutions for over 130 years. Our business is feed and food, transportation and logistics, and our people are our passion. In everything we do, we put relationships first and always leave room for what's possible. We are a $7.3 billion company filled with problem solvers and compassionate leaders committed to revolutionizing the future of agriculture. With 1250 employees and over 100 offices and facilities across North America and Asia, you can count on Scoular people. We are committed to building a culture of real inclusion for all employees. We support customers and communities around the globe and believe our workforce should reflect that diversity. Scoular Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) connect, support, and empower our people. Learn more about diversity and inclusion commitments here.
Our Benefits
The Eastern Rail Senior Merchant is an experienced commodity trader with developed trade skills and will trade eastern rail markets specific to CN, NS and CSX railroads. This role has responsibility to interpret the rail market, formulate and communicate market opinions and take risk/reward positions for the Scoular company. The Senior Merchant is expected to build deep customer relationships with both the buyer and seller, with added focus on commercial relationships with both the origin elevators and end user customers. This position plays a critical role in mentoring and guiding other Merchants on the team.
Market Analytics:
- Assure that the trade unit is in compliance with all risk management policies.
- Assess market trends, key leading indicators and is proficient in the market.
- Review product supply and demand and formulate opinions related to the market to make trade decisions that create revenue for the trade unit.
- Manage a position or subset of the overall position for the business.
- Expected to have opinion on market everyday.
- Lead execution logistics planning and strategy. Includes fundamental knowledge of truck/rail execution and commodity arbitrage.
- Manage relationships with the freight providers.
- Negotiate freight contracts.
- Arbitrage the position for optimal execution.
- Expected to problem solve in midst of execution and day to day execution issues.
- Recruit customers and business that support the business unit’s business strategy.
- Develop and maintain the extensive and varied business relationships in the marketplace.
- Provide customers with accurate market information and answers to questions about their business transactions, such as settlements.
- Build effective, on-going interaction with both current and potential customers.
- Act as a front line negotiator for handling trading conflicts.
- Responsible for customer experience to ensure Scoular delivers a favorable customer experience (supplier, end user, carrier).
- Assist Trade Unit Manager in preparing monthly, quarterly, annual P&L estimates and forecasts for the trade unit.
- Manage daily position report for the trade unit.
- Accountable to maintain position limits, credit limits and in store inventories as defined by division leadership and trade finance.
- Coach/mentor Merchants on the team and give Merchandiser Assistants daily direction.
- Create/drive collaboration within the division and company.
- 4 years merchandising experience.
- College degree in business related field or equivalent experience.
- Proven critical thinking skills and ability to drive strategy forward.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills and relationship building capability.
- Proven ability to perform in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated aptitude in accounting and financial practices and procedures.
- Highly skilled in problem solving techniques
- Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, along with desire to learn new programs.
- Active involvement in industry agriculture association groups.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural macroeconomics.
Scoular has been leading the way in safe, reliable, and innovative supply chain solutions for over 130 years. Our business is feed and food, transportation and logistics, and our people are our passion. In everything we do, we put relationships first and always leave room for what's possible. We are a $7.3 billion company filled with problem solvers and compassionate leaders committed to revolutionizing the future of agriculture. With 1250 employees and over 100 offices and facilities across North America and Asia, you can count on Scoular people. We are committed to building a culture of real inclusion for all employees. We support customers and communities around the globe and believe our workforce should reflect that diversity. Scoular Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) connect, support, and empower our people. Learn more about diversity and inclusion commitments here.
Our Benefits
- We offer competitive health plans that begin on the employee's first day -- there's no waiting period so you can be your best from the very beginning
- On top of your competitive base pay, you'll have an incentive opportunity, 401k safe harbor and additional company match
- Your hard work and dedication deserve a break. In addition to our 12 paid holidays, you'll receive vacation, sick and wellbeing time off
- We give you the opportunity to revolutionize your community. With 8 hours of paid volunteer time every year. We encourage team members to give back and make a social impact
- This position is eligible for annual incentive opportunities based on business and individual performance.