Principal Commodity Analyst, Global Crops

S&P Global • Washington, DC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Commodity Analyst will join the Short-Term Crops team within S&P Global Commodity Insights, supporting research and forecasting across global agricultural commodity markets, including corn, soybeans, wheat, vegetable oils, and related value chains. Working alongside a team of leading commodity analysts and economists, the successful candidate will contribute to supply-and-demand analysis, market forecasting, and client-facing research that informs commercial, financial, and strategic decision-making across the global agricultural sector. This role is intended for a highly analytical and intellectually curious individual seeking to develop into a future commodity expert. The position provides broad exposure to global crop markets, trade flows, policy developments, weather-driven risks, and cross-commodity dynamics, while offering a clear development path toward ownership of a specific market or research area over time. The Principal Commodity Analyst will help transform complex market fundamentals into actionable insights through written research, presentations, and direct interaction with clients and industry participants. The role also offers the opportunity to contribute to forecasting models, analytical frameworks, and innovative research methodologies while working collaboratively across regional and commodity-focused teams throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Proven experience of relevant experience in agricultural commodities research, feed markets, trading, or analytics.
• Experience developing supply-and-demand analysis, trade flows, and commodity price information.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to work with large datasets and build forecasting models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex market dynamics to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Highly curious, analytical mindset with a strong inclination toward root-cause analysis and asking the next question.
• Clear and confident communicator, comfortable presenting to both small and large audiences and handling live Q&A with senior industry participants.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving market environments without needing perfect or complete data.
• Strong ownership mindset and comfortable taking direction, feedback, and challenge in a high-standards environment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, Business, Finance, Agriculture, or a related field.
• A PHD in Economics or Agricultural Economics.
• Portuguese or Spanish language skills (spoken and/or written) will be a plus but not mandatory.
• Experience covering grains, oilseeds, or protein meal markets.
• Working knowledge of Python, R, Power BI, SQL, or other analytical tools.
• Prior client-facing experience in research, consulting, or advisory roles.
• Strong presentation presence and confidence engaging directly with senior market participants and decision-makers.
• Ability to synthesize complex datasets and viewpoints into crisp, logical, and actionable narratives.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in leveraging both internal and external expertise and data sources.
• Genuine interest in continuous learning and skill development.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of global supply and demand balance sheets across major agricultural commodities.
• Conduct fundamental market research across global agricultural commodity markets, identifying key trends and translating complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Contribute to market forecasts, balance sheets, and written analysis, assessing implications for supply, demand, trade flows, and commodity prices.
• Support the production of market intelligence through reports, presentations, webinars, and special research projects.
• Assist with client engagement activities, including briefings, ad-hoc analysis, conference participation, and response to client inquiries.
• Monitor developments in crop production, weather, trade policy, biofuels, macroeconomics, and other factors influencing agricultural markets.
• Collaborate with analysts across crops, vegetable oils, biofuels, animal protein, and regional research teams to develop integrated market perspectives.
• Develop and maintain analytical models, databases, and forecasting tools, while continuously improving research methodologies and data processes.
• Build expertise across multiple commodities and regions, with the opportunity to develop ownership of a specific market over time.

Benefits

• Health care coverage designed for the mind and body.
• Generous time off helps keep you energized for your time on.
• Access a wealth of resources to grow your career and learn valuable new skills.
• Competitive pay, retirement planning, a continuing education program with a company-matched student loan contribution, and financial wellness programs.
• Perks for your partners and little ones, too, with some best-in class benefits for families.
• Retail discounts to referral incentive awards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Associate degree