What are the responsibilities and job description for the Merchant - Feed Co-Products position at The Scoular Company?
The Merchant is a commodity trading position challenged to develop and utilize trade skills in origination, sales and execution in a defined market within Feed Ingredients. This individual will learn market analytics, build customer rapport, buy and sell commodities, logistics execution, contract management and accounts receivable. The Merchant builds and maintains customer relationships on the origination side of the business as well as with the end user and transportation partners.
Market Analytics:
- Learn and understand market trends, key leading indicators and become proficient in understanding complex market dynamics.
- Proficient in Scoular systems, tools, reports (CTRM, etc.).
- Responsible for capturing supply in the specific/designated region.
- Interact with customers, express ideas, formulate and share opinions.
- Formulate and articulate thoughts and insights on the market.
- Ensure customers stay within Scoular Trade Finance’s counter party limits.
- Develop skills to make buying and selling decisions.
Logistics/Execution
- Assist and/or lead execution logistics planning and strategy. Includes fundamental knowledge of truck/rail execution and commodity arbitrage.
- Knowledge of systems and procedures that document and support executions.
Customer Relationship Building:
- Develop and maintain the extensive and varied business relationships in the market place.
- Provide customers with accurate market information and answers to questions about their business transactions, such as settlements.
- At the direction of their Manager, add sales customers to their contract list as market familiarity increases.
- With support of other merchants and Manager start to build effective, on-going interactions with both current and potential customers.
- Build trading rapport with origin and destination customers.
- Contract management including reconciling balances with customers.
Qualifications:
- College degree in business related field or equivalent experience.
- At least 2 years of commodity merchandising experience
- Demonstrated understanding of ingredient markets, hedging and commodity flows.
- Knowledge of the agricultural industry’s trading standards and procedures.
- Demonstrated aptitude in accounting and financial practices and procedures.
- Exceptional customer service skills and relationship building capability.
- Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly skilled in problem solving techniques.
- Highly organized and detail oriented.
- Ability to travel, as needed.