Assistant Commercial Manager

About the role

This position serves the assistant commercial lead of a greenfield soybean processing plant in Ohio. This role will be critical in developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local farm community, feed buyers and logistics providers including truck carriers and both short-line and Class 1 railroads. The role will be expected to foster a professional and collaborative atmosphere between the commercial and industry management of the facility.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Defines and executes the grains & oilseeds origination strategy from the local farm & commercial supply base
• Engages with broader team to map out & execute carry strategy to maximize storage value
• Develops and fosters commercial relationships with suppliers & customers to expand market opportunities
• Coincides with soybean meal and hull marketers to buy grain in areas that maximize backhaul opportunities
• Communicates commercial priorities on commodity receiving and load out with operations group
• Maintains daily communication, organizes logistical services, and assists with accounting issues with suppliers
• Communicates regularly with US soybean team to origination strategy and pricing targets
• 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
• 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 origination team & drives team’s professional development
• Aids in business analysis for internal and external implementation
• Tuned into all CBOT, NOPA, etc., oilseed complex trade rule developments
• Participates in strategic planning discussions

Additional Responsibilities

• Participates in the recruitment, hiring and development of 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
• Serves as a 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
• Helps manage receivables and facilitates innovative methods to keep accounts receivables in check
• Identifies, qualifies and captures new business; develops and contributes to customer/supplier list
• Works closely with soybean receiving office, learns Compuweigh and probing / grading operations
• Weekend work may be required

Experience

• Basic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: Eight or more years of experience in the grain business in a merchandising capacity
• Understanding of inventory and quality management as well as experience with rail logistics
• Preferred Experience: Knowledge of processing

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

• Basic qualifications: Working 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
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word processing software, (e.g., Excel and MS Word)
• Must have valid driver’s license

What We Offer

• 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)
• Diversity & Inclusion: Equal employment opportunity (EEO)
• LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA
• We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply
• Sustainability: Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company