Senior Commodity Trader (Feed Ingredient Merchandising)

Perdue Farms, Inc•Salisbury, MD

78d•$111,000 - $167,000

About The Position

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company that handles agricultural commodities and a diverse portfolio of products and businesses. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we're committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue. Summary The Senior Commodity Trader is responsible for profitably managing a portfolio of feed ingredients and executing physical trades with high autonomy. The role requires strong commercial acumen, ownership, and execution focus. The Senior Trader will also play a key role in relieving operational pressure from leadership by independently handling customer/supplier relationships and taking ownership of key trading books. Collaboration with the Director on high-value portfolios or broader strategic opportunities is expected. This role includes business travel to maintain and grow commercial relationships and to represent the company at industry forums. The trader is expected to contribute to the company's growth strategy by defining and executing a multi-year commercial plan.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in agriculture, Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field and 8-10 years of physical commodity trading, preferably in agricultural feed ingredients or related sectors.
Strong understanding of cash/physical commodity markets
Proven experience in the full trade lifecycle: purchasing, selling, transportation, logistics (truck, rail, container, vessel), risk management, and collections
Demonstrated ownership of margin performance and position risk
Financial literacy including P&L accountability and exposure tracking
Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, ERP systems, and market monitoring tools
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of the Distillers Dried Grains (DDGs) market, including supply dynamics, pricing trends, and customer usage
Prior experience representing a company in industry events or trade shows

Responsibilities

Manage the buying and selling of assigned commodities with a focus on profitability, market timing, and risk balance
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the DDGs market and incorporate relevant insights into trading strategy and customer discussions
Serve as the commercial point of contact for a defined book of business, with full ownership of P&L outcomes
Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with suppliers and customers through regular communication and travel
Support high-priority product lines and commercial initiatives led by the Director, including shared margin goals
Identify and capture new business opportunities across products and geographies
Execute trades within internal risk and credit guidelines, ensuring compliance with all company policies
Coordinate with logistics, customer service, and finance to ensure smooth execution from contract to delivery
Represent Perdue Agribusiness at conferences, industry meetings, and customer/supplier visits
Mentor junior team members and contribute to a performance-driven culture
Perform additional responsibilities and strategic assignments as needed