Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) is seeking an Eastern Rail Trader to join our team. This position is responsible for the origination and logistics coordination of rail grains and oilseeds into LDC’s export terminals, river terminals, and processing assets, with a focus on Southeast flows.
What You'll Do
- Actively participate in discussions around US corn premium positioning.
- Propose and execute new Southeast rail trade opportunities based on collected information.
- Manage the implementation and execution of the US corn premium/basis strategy for Southeast flows.
- Work closely with the Burns Harbor team, Export Group, and ethanol group to define origination strategy and ensure regional alignment.
- Stay abreast of market developments, providing timely group updates and interpretation of market data.
- Use historical information to analyze pricing trends and project forward market pricing outlook.
- Devise and execute origination strategies for commodities.
- Build and strengthen long-term relationships with the customer base, attending industry events and customer visits.
- Communicate daily with country rail terminals to buy and increase grain purchases.
- Work to achieve “last right of refusal” relationships with various co-ops and commercial elevators.
- Engage in trade and balance sheet discussions around premium and flat price positions.
- Ensure positions are accurately reported and daily P&L reconciles.
- Receive rail applications from third parties and manage the timely billing of trains to destinations.
- Be responsible for billing all trains or determining the designated billing party if LDC does not bill the train.
- Compose regular market wires, position updates, and strategy plans.
- Gather news, statistics, and information on commodity supply and demand from customers and trade sources, distributing insights to support strategic trading.
- Ensure contracts are entered and fills/settlements are completed timely.
- Work with execution and accounts payable groups to ensure prompt payment of invoices and assist in resolving execution questions.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Five or more years of experience in an agribusiness firm in a merchandising or trading capacity.
- Thorough understanding of grain markets, basis trading, and rail logistics.
- Three or more years of direct position ownership and experience with logistics management.
- Demonstrated strong negotiating skills and commercial understanding combined with results orientation.
- Capability to consolidate global and domestic market drivers into a point of view and executable trading strategy.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to select relevant information from a flow of information.
- Demonstrated ability to manage trading risks.
- Knowledge of demurrage/despatch concepts.
- Familiarity with current commodity transportation issues.
- Proficiency with MS Excel, database administration, and online systems/websites.
- Knowledge of fundamentals of grain accounting, basis/flat price trading, and futures markets.
- Knowledge/Ability to set up accruals for freight, costs, demurrage, etc.
- Strong organization skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
- Thorough knowledge of futures markets, hedging, and arbitrage.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be a motivated self-starter.
Nice to Have
- Preferably a degree in Agricultural Economics, Agriculture Business, or a related field.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
- Experience utilizing and reviewing reports within Power BI.
Technical Stack
- MS Excel
- Power BI
- Online systems/websites
Benefits & Compensation
- 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).
Work Mode
This role is onsite.
Louis Dreyfus Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. LDC 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.
