Merchandiser Trainee - Louis Dreyfus Company

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 17,000 people globally.

Overall Purpose and Objective of Position 

This position originates soybeans from farmers.  This includes calling farmers daily for directions on how to apply their soybeans that have been delivered.  Answering questions pertaining to settlements, payment status, contract balances, discounts, and MyLDC are some other daily tasks of this position.  This position also manages the meal claims for the crush plant.   

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions 

• Aggressively originates soybeans by developing a rapport with local farming community through direct communication.
• Maintains daily communication, organizes logistical services, and assists with accounting issues with suppliers and customers.

• Manages inbound truck logistics for soybean origination and outbound truck logistics for soymeal and soy hull pellets

• Negotiates forward sales contracts to buyers of soy hull pellets and soymeal and devises and executes origination strategies in soybeans.

Additional Responsibilities

• Gathers news, statistics and information related to individual commodity supply and demand from customers and trade sources, and distributes that information to the remainder of the group to support overall strategic trading/positioning (i.e., contributes to research function)

• Helps manage receivables and facilitates innovative methods to keep accounts receivable and average number of days to pay at a minimum

• 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.  Communicates with truckers/suppliers regarding quality.
• Participates in regular crop tours to assess conditions and potential yields to anticipate markets.
• Weekend work.
• Customer visits.
• Other duties as assigned.

The following is the basic qualification:   

• Bachelor’s degree  

The following is preferred: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Business Administration or other business discipline. 

Experience 

The following is preferred: 

• Previous experience in soybean, soymeal, biofuels and/or energy products. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands) 

The following are the basic qualifications: 

• 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 

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. 

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
- Hybrid 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