Rail Merchandiser Trainee

Louis Dreyfus Company • Kansas City, MO

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides a valuable link within the merchandising, logistics and execution function. This includes originating grains and oilseeds for domestic and export, while also performing various documentation duties such as pricing contracts, train contract applications, preparing train sheets, determining contract over/underfill quantities and prices and logistical support. This position provides crucial support to the merchandising, execution and logistics teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Valid Driver’s License
• Up to two years in one or more of the following: Previous experience as a Merchandising Assistant, Settlements associate, or logistics specialist within the Grain industry.
• Commodity Risk Management
• Logistics ( i.e., coordination of shipments and deliveries)
• Basic knowledge of futures markets, hedging and arbitrage
• 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
• Foundational experience with Power BI
• Knowledge and interpretation of position reporting.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software, ( e.g., Excel and MS Word).
• Must be a motivated self-starter

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Business Administration or other business discipline.
• Merchandising trainee experience on a trading desk.

Responsibilities

• Works with balance of LDC’s rail team to optimize rail logistics
• Apply trains to contracts, complete train sheets, Price contracts, Monitor rail pipeline.
• Learn to bill trains on the BNSF, UPRR and CPKC railroads.
• Ensure contracts are entered timely and fills/settlements are completed timely
• Communicate with country rail terminals daily with a goal of buying grain and picking up valuable market information
• Report on real-time market information on the Louis Dreyfus intercompany chat system
• Participate in daily conference calls reporting market information to regional traders
• Compose market wires, position updates & track lineups as requested
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with customer bases
• Participate in customer visits and industry social events
• Gather news, statistics and information related to individual commodity supply and demand from customers and trade sources, and distribute that information to the remainder of the group to support overall strategic trading/positioning ( i.e. , contributes to research function)
• Identify, qualify and capture new business
• Learn CINCH, FGIS Grading requirements, Power BI and Copilot
• Participate in regular crop tours to assess conditions and potential yields to anticipate markets.
• Processes a variety of information and data to devise and assist with developing desk trading strategies.
• Negotiates with trade counterparts to maximize corporate returns.
• Advises and executes various logistics, position reporting, and merchandising duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level