Western Rail Trader

Job Description

Job Description

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 is responsible for rail origination and logistics management of grains and oilseeds for LDC’s export terminals and processing assets.   

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions 

• Originates grain and oilseeds from interior rail terminals  

• Communicates with country network daily to drive information flow & strengthen customer relationships 

• Optimizes rail and port/vessel logistics through coordination with balance of the KC rail team  

• Identifies and executes arbitrage opportunities to maximize logistics value 

• Works with US product line traders to develop & implement regional premium positioning strategy  

• Ensures positions are accurately reflected & ties P&L out daily  

• Stays abreast of market developments, ensuring timely group updates & interpretation of market data  

• Coordinate information flow between departments to meet internal and external customer requirements 

• Composes market wires, position updates, track lineups and vessel lineups as necessary  

• Participates in customer visits and industry social events as well as LDC acreage and yield tours  

• Uses historical information to analyze pricing trends and project forward market pricing outlook  

Additional Responsibilities 

• Ensures contracts are entered day of trade and fills/settlements are completed timely 

• Learn CINCH & other internal application software 

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

• Other duties as assigned. 

Decision Making/Accountability  

• Processes a variety of information and data to 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. 

• Prioritizes work schedule to meet deadlines and continuously adjusts priorities to resolve unexpected issues; works with little supervision and consults with supervisor regarding unusual problems or occurrences.  Completes projects as assigned.  

Qualifications

The following are required:  

• Five or more years of experience in an agribusiness firm in a merchandising or trading capacity  

• Thorough understanding of grain markets, basis trading and rail logistics   

• Three or more years of direct position ownership & experience with logistics management   

• Demonstrated strong negotiating skills and commercial understanding combined with the right commercial attitude and results orientation 

• Capability to consolidate global and domestic market drivers into a point of view and executable trading strategy 

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to select relevant information from a flow of information (distinction between main and side issues) 

• Demonstrated ability to manage trading, logistics and execution risks 

• Must have an extensive knowledge of the U.S. transportation systems, relationships with all the major transportation providers and a good working knowledge of grain trading and transportation 

• Knowledge of railroad logistics specifically and vessel logistics preferably 

• Knowledge of demurrage/despatch concepts helpful 

• Familiarity with current commodity transportation issues 

• Proficiency with MS Excel, database administration and online systems/websites 

• Knowledge of fundamentals of grain accounting, basis/flat price trading and futures markets 

• Strong organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, prioritize workload, and meet tight deadlines. 

• Strong communication and documentation skills. 

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses  

Basic qualifications:   

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Agriculture, Economics or related discipline. 

Additional Information

Equipment Used 

• Typical office equipment: PC, workstations, telephone, and fax machine. 

Working Conditions 

• Typical climate-controlled office environment.  Extensions of regular working hour are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects, attend training or to respond to emergencies which may include weekends.                                   

Employee Supervision 

• None 

Company Conformance Statements 

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following: 

• Perform quality work within deadlines without direct supervision. 

• Interact professionally with co-workers, Company business associates and the public. 

• Work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the Company. 

• Operate in a fully responsible manner and comply with the law and Company policy. 

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