Commercial Manager, Grains & Oilseeds (Eastern US)

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 US grains and oilseeds origination manager for a large agricultural trading house. This individual will have direct commercial oversight over several river terminals and the commercial aspects of the company’s USG export facility while working directly with the origination teams at the company’s US processing assets to define origination and grower engagement strategy. 

**This position can sit in either Wilton, CT, Kansas City, MO, or Upper Sandusky, OH**

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Defines and cascades origination strategy for several river terminals and US based processing assets
• Drives a farmer centric origination model to promote supplier retention and producer direct flows
• Fosters the use of CRM, Power-BI and other analytics tools to capture, quantify and qualify grower data
• Utilizes analytics tools to drive origination strategy and identify asset specific opportunities
• Coordinates with local commercial teams to define daily bids based on market dynamics and margin targets
• Identifies opportunities to participate in specialty and compliance markets to maximize company returns
• Supports region’s regenerative agriculture and sustainable sourcing initiatives
• Develops and fosters commercial relationships with suppliers & customers to expand market opportunities 
• Leads the commercial side of the annual budgeting process for the river terminals and USG export facility
• Leads local commercial & administrative team and drives team’s professional development 
• Communicates commercial priorities on grain receiving and product load outs with industry group
• Aligns with the commercial & operations team regarding expectations and forward plans for river terminals
• Oversees barge freight positions for river assets & identifies water level driven executions risks
• 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 team’s timely entry of trades into position management system and validates daily positions & P&Ls 
• Provides input on volumes and asset investments for strategic discussions & long term business plans
• Assists in business analysis for internal and external implementation 

Additional Responsibilities

• Responsible for recruiting, hiring and developing 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
• Actively supports the Company’s Safety, Health and Environmental systems and objectives
• Ensures compliance with NGFA trade rules 
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

Education/Experience

Basic qualifications:

• Bachelors degree required.
• 10 years of experience in the Grains and Oilseeds industry in asset management, merchandising & trading
• Prior experience managing larger teams & experience in an operations & industrial capacity
• Thorough understanding of balance sheet analysis, position management & P&L reporting 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications: 

• Knows the US grains & oilseeds competitive landscape
• Knowledgeable in current policies, practices, trends, technology and information affecting the business
• Builds appropriate rapport with team using diplomacy and tact
• Capable of defusing high-tension situations comfortably
• Negotiates skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups while gaining trust of counterparts
• Steadfastly pushes self and others for results
• Communicates clearly in both verbal and written form and can set clear direction and stretch goals for the team
• Maintains two-way dialog with others on work and results
• Monitors workloads and recognizes and easily expresses appreciation for extra effort
• Constructs compelling developmental plans and assists in their execution
• Clearly and comfortably delegates both routine and important tasks and decisions to individuals and teams
• Shares wins and successes and creates a team atmosphere
• Proficient with spreadsheets, word-processing software and web-based applications (e.g., MS Office Suite, SharePoint)
• Must be able to periodically work outdoors and lift small objects
• Must have valid driver’s license 

Additional Information

Employee Supervision

• Owns reporting lines of river terminal merchandising teams along with the barge freight trader

Decision Making/Accountability

• The position is accountable for the supervision of the local commercial, logistics and clerical office staff
• Prioritizes work schedule to meet deadlines and continuously adjusts priorities to meet unexpected problems; works with little supervision and consults with supervisor regarding unusual problems or occurrences.
• The incumbent will also complete various projects and duties as assigned by their immediate manager.
• Occasional travel required.

Safety, Health & Environmental Responsibilities
Is an active member of the facility SHE Program. Maintains good working knowledge of SHE policies, rules and procedures applicable to area of responsibility and ensures all applicable requirements are adhered to. Ensures employees are provided required training for area assigned, and jobs and tasks prior to assigning work. Ensures area of responsibility is maintained in orderly and safe manner. Ensures unsafe working conditions are remedied as soon as practicable.

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