Commercial Manager

Company Description

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.

Job Description

This commercial manager serves as the local commercial lead of a multi-modal grain export elevator located in northwest Indiana.  This role will be critical in developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local farm community, the Ports of Indiana, feed buyers and logistics providers including truck carriers and both short-line and Class 1 railroads.  Individual will be expected to foster a professional and collaborative atmosphere between regional product lines, local commercial team and industry management to maximize opportunities.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Plans and executes the grains & oilseeds origination strategy from the local farm & commercial supply base 
• Engages with regional traders to map out & execute grain & oilseed carry strategy to maximize storage value
• Collaborates with regional product lines to identify trading opportunities leveraging asset footprint
• Seeks out opportunities to generate commercial margin from atypical commodity flows
• Develops and fosters commercial relationships with suppliers & customers to expand market opportunities 
• Maintains a strong working relationship with the local Ports of Indiana Port Director
• Serves as the primary local liaison between the commercial team and the operations group
• Communicates commercial priorities on commodity receiving and load out with operations group
• Maintains strong working relationship with local short lines (BHSL and IHB) as well as the Class 1 carriers
• 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 timely entry of trades into position management system and validates daily positions 
• Leads local commercial & administrative team and drives team’s professional development 
• 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
• 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
• Actively supports the Company’s Safety, Health and Environmental systems and objectives
• Follows updates to & ensures compliance with NGFA trade rule developments 
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

• A Bachelor’s degree in with a focus in Agriculture, Economics, Finance or Business Administration is preferred

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in the Grains and Oilseeds industry 
• Prior asset management experience with exposure to rail, barge and/or vessel logistics  
• Thorough understanding of balance sheet analysis, position management & profit and loss reporting 
• Prior experience interacting with rail class 1 railroads

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

• 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 affecting the grain 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 bo