Merchandising Assistant

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 position performs various position reporting and customer service-related functions for the merchandising department in the Kansas City, MO office.  The position duties will include calling customers to obtain documents, calling brokers to obtain information, contract entry, validation and pricings for the G&O platform. This position provides logistical support to merchandisers and other customer service functions that require discretion.  

Qualifications

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions 

• Contract entry, pricing, and data validation.  
• Provide logistical support for the Merchandising desk to include tracing barges / railcars, monitoring shipments and cycle times, invoicing demurrage and compiling and producing required logistical documentation with strict deadlines in a fast-paced trading environment.    

• Perform customer service duties for the Merchandising desk including calling customers and brokers to obtain information and documents.  
• Process billing for barges / railcars, which may occur after business hours. Assist with other commodities and modes of transport as needed.  

• Prepare various spreadsheets to summarize the contract and delivery data for the Merchandising desk. 

• Assure accuracy and timeliness of data taken for Merchandisers along with being the first check for reasonableness of accuracy received. 
• Assist Merchandisers with Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable issues. 
• Share duties within the team and collaborate with other groups.  

Additional Responsibilities 

• Serve as a liaison between the Merchandising desk and execution and logistics areas of the office.    

• Complete other duties as assigned. 

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses 

Required qualification: 

• High school diploma/GED, or equivalent work experience 

Preferred qualification 

• Bachelor’s degree in business related discipline 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands) 

Basic qualifications: 

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet strict daily deadlines.   
• Strong practical accounting, analytical and organizational skills. 
• Strong verbal and written communications skills. 
• Strong documentation skills. 
• Ability to maintain a collaborative perspective working with a variety of personnel. 
• Ability to adapt to timelines and varying responsibilities to support team needs. 
• Knowledge and interpretation of position reporting. 
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word-processing software, (e.g., Excel and MS Word).  

Preferred qualifications: 

• Knowledge of grain industry practices, terminology and settlement process. 
• Careful attention to detail. 
• Ability to work in an active and fast-paced department. 
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, prioritizing multiple tasks. 

Experience 

Basic qualification:  

• Two (2) years of execution / sales support experience within the Grain industry, Biofuels or similar field.  
• In lieu of relevant experience, the preferred educational requirement would be accepted. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Two (2) years of experience as a Merchandising Assistant, Settlements Associate, or Accounting Associate  within the Grain industry.   

Additional Information

Equipment Used 

• Typical office equipment: PC, telephone, fax machine. 

Working Conditions 

• Fast paced, trading floor environment. 
  Interacts closely with personnel in other departments and Company locations. 
• Interacts closely with middle and senior management personnel. 
• Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies. 

Employee Supervision 

• No supervisory responsibilities.   

Decision Making/Accountability 

• Handle and report customer issues or questions concerning purchasing and/or