Commercial Manager - 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 18,000 people globally.

Overall Purpose and Objective of Position

This position serves the local commercial lead of a greenfield soybean processing plant in Ohio.  This role will be critical in developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local farm community, feed buyers and logistics providers including truck carriers and both short-line and Class 1 railroads.  Role will be expected to foster a professional and collaborative atmosphere between the commercial and industry management of the facility

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Leads local commercial & administrative team and drives team’s professional development 
• Oversees the execution of the soybean origination strategy from the local farm & commercial supply base 
• Develops and fosters commercial relationships with suppliers & customers to expand market opportunities 
• Serves as the primary local liaison between the commercial team and the industry group
• Communicates commercial priorities on grain receiving and product load outs with industry group
• Coordinates and leads the team effort of managing the hopper and tanker car fleet
• Aligns with the operations team regarding expectations and forward plans for railcar shipments
• Maintain strong relationship with Local Class 1 rail service yard (short line and main line reps)
• Develops & maintains local supply/demand balance sheets for use in shaping soybean procurement effort 
• 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 
• Assists in business analysis for internal and external implementation 
• Participates in strategic planning discussions 

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
• Coordinates and facilitates supplier customer visits on both the soybean and product side
• Commercial lead on KPIs, daily production report and other internally produced industrial reports 
• Stays abreast of all company, federal, state and local laws, regulations tied to grain handling to ensure compliance
• Gathers news, statistics and information related to individual commodity supply and demand from customers and trade sources and distributes that information to the broader group to support overall strategic trading/positioning
• Actively supports the Company’s Safety, Health and Environmental systems and objectives
• Follows updates to & ensures compliance with NGFA, NOPA, etc oil trade rule developments 
• Other duties as assigned 

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 with or without direct supervision
• Interact professionally with co-workers, Company business associates and the general public
• Works 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

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Basic qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Business Administration or other business discipline
• An equivalent of more than 10 years of experience in soybean processing would be considered

Experience

Basic qualifications: 

• 10 years of experience in the Grains and Oilseeds industry 
• Prior experience managing larger teams & experience in an operations/industry capacity
• Thorough understanding of balance sheet analysis, position management & P&L reporting 
• Prior experience interacting with Class 1 railroads

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, 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
• 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 

Equipment Used

• Telephone, Photocopier, Personal Computer, Calculator
• Other handheld tools

Employee Supervision

• Oversees local commercial and administrative staff

Decision Making/Accountability

• The position is accountable for the supervision of the local commercial, logistics and clerical office staff
• This position will also be accountable for the development and maintenance of positive relationships with the local farm community, 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

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.

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other protected status.

Additional Information for the job

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