Commercial Manager

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 15,000 people globally.

Job Description

This position manages the origination and logistics of grains and oilseeds for a river terminal that unloads both trucks and rail.  This role will be critical in developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local farm community and conveying information about the local cash market to the rest of LDC.  It will also have responsibility to interact in a professional and team atmosphere with operations on the management of the facility; a close working relationship with operations is a key objective.  Another key responsibility will be to maintain the appropriate operating margins for the business unit as a whole, and lead and develop the commercial office team.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Manages the origination of grains and oilseeds by developing rapport with the local farming and terminal community through direct communication and by working closely with members of the commercial grain industry; ensures aggressive origination and continuous customer contact.
• Works hand in hand with the operations team to form a team atmosphere with the result being a high performing cohesive operation from truck / rail to barge. One team mindset should always be the goal.
• Manages and leverages knowledge of grain and oilseed markets to ensure location’s cost structure delivers appropriate margins to the business. 
• Conveys local cash market information to rest of LDC clearly and constantly.
• Turns both global and local information into local strategy for origination and throughput. 
• Develops suppliers/customers for inputs/outputs through research, analysis and marketing.
• Oversees the coordination of marketing and logistics/staging operations.
• Commercial connection to operations on the ground. Sets commercial priorities to maximize efficient throughput. Communicates clearly to operations the facility’s commercial needs and to rest of the commercial chain the likely operational capability.

Additional Responsibilities

• Is responsible for assembling and developing a strong and talented team.
• Provides periodic and regular feedback on performance to direct reports and ensures individuals are appropriately rewarded for performance. 
• Is able to lead a diverse team and ensure compliance with all company, federal, state and local laws, regulations and permit requirements. 
• Evaluates and recommends appropriate staff levels and workloads to ensure efficient and timely completion of required duties. Delegates both routine and important tasks and decisions to individuals and teams
• Ensures the development of team members to meet individual and organizational needs.
• Actively supports the Company’s Safety, Health and Environmental systems and objectives
• Builds budgets together with the site Superintendent
• Develops additional through put business
• Works with internal support functions (i.e., HR, Accounting, SHE) to meet organizational goals and objectives.
• Completes various projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance or Business Administration.
• Valid driver’s license.

Experience

• Five (5) plus years of experience merchandising and marketing agricultural (with a preference for grain and oilseed) commodities.
• Five (5) plus years of experience managing logistics and supply chains.

Additional Information

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Knows the competitive landscape and is aware of how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace.
• Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology and information affecting the grain and export business
• Builds appropriate rapport with farm community, Port Authority, and employees using diplomacy and tact.
• Effectively defuses high-tension situations comfortably.
• Negotiates skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups.
• Quickly gains trust of other parties in negotiations.
• Steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
• Communicates clearly in both verbal and written form and can set clear direction and stretch goals for individuals and teams.
• Maintains two-way dialog with others on work and results. 
• Creates a climate in which people want to do their best and is skilled at getting the best from many different kinds of direct reports; is a people builder.
• 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 climb stairs
• Must be able to periodically work outdoors and lift small objects

Equipment Used

• Typical office equipment: PC, telephone, scan/fax machine, PDA’s.
• Where appropriate, personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn in compliance with Company standards and governmental regulations

Working Conditions

• Primarily works in a climate-controlled office environment with periodic visits to operational areas resulting in exposure to a variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions.  This may also result in occasional exposure to dust, odors, gases, vapors, wet or slick surfaces and loud noises. The extension of regular working hours is occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects, attend training or respond to emergencies. 

Decision Making/Accountability

• The position is accountable for the supervision of the locations commercial/logistical and clerical office staff at the facility. 
• It is accountable for the commercial margin and managing the origination of grains and oilseeds for the facility, as such will make decisions on purchase agreements, in conjunction with the Grains and Oilseeds Trading teams, and overall logistics for the export of grains and oilseeds through the facility. 
• This position will also be accountable for the development and maintenance of positive relationships with the local farm community, Port Authorities and employees and employee groups.
• 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.

Employee Supervision

• Is the Commercial Leader at the facility. 
• Will supervises at a minimum two exempt level employees comprised of a Commodities Originator/Merchandisers/Merchandising Assistant plus possible indirect supervision of an undetermined number of support staff.

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