Merchandiser - Minneapolis, MN

Merchandiser - Minneapolis, MN
This is a full time, Salary exempt position

Job Description:
Reporting to the Northern Soybean Trading Manager with collaborative review from the Mankato Soy Processing Commercial Manager, this position will be responsible for the procurement of Soybeans and Corn for our rail trading team and soybean origination into our Mankato processing plant with purpose of achieving maximize financial results. As a key member of the Northern AS & O Soybean & Corn trading team the ideal candidate possesses excellent interpersonal skills, quick thinking capabilities, continuous learning, and be capable of building strong relationships with our customers.

Description of work performed:

• Participate in origination, trading and logistics, providing insight and discussing opportunities. Gain the understanding of capacities and capabilities of our JV and third party assets in the region to optimize logistics and execute on trades.
• Discover and improve domestic market opportunities. Increase the number of origination and destination markets while utilizing rail & truck markets to expand the draw territories for the region.
• Identify and analyze market opportunities by maintaining close contact with other ADM wholly owned assets, ADM Joint Venture elevator assets, external customers and transportation carriers.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of current freight rates, freight carriers and product flows in the trade area.
• Communicate market information both within the office and throughout the company as market opportunities present themselves.
• Maintain a commercial customer list and develop a strong relationship with those customers to enhance ADM’s portfolio of business.

As a member of the trading team this position requires a high level of strategic thinking, developed interpersonal skills, attention to detail and the desire to learn and develop new trading skills.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Team focused
• Business Savvy
• Proactive
• Results oriented
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Information seeking
• Responsible
• Detail oriented
• Analytical thinking

Job Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external grain elevator focused customers
• Work in a dynamic environment and be expected to both learn and contribute
• Maintain clear customer account list, provide detailed customer information and maintain regular contact with ADM accounts
• Provide excellent customer service and strive to meet and exceed customer needs finding opportunities to differentiate ourselves from our competitors
• Handle all accounting, logistics and other issues in a timely manner prioritizing customers service
• Make quick decisions in a fast market while accepting the responsibility to defend them logically
• Develop a clear understanding of local, national and global markets
• Seek out new business to enhance ADM company assets
• Understand margin calculations & their effect on commodity pricing/P&L returns
• Understand the value of ADM Owned transportation (I.e barges, trucks and railcars)
• Develop a good working knowledge of freight spreads and competitor activities
• Develop a good understanding of ADM JV assets, ADM North origination base & Mankato crush operations
• Portrays a positive image of the company and self when interacting with customers & colleagues
• Helps in the development & training of new employees
• Is willing to work outside of normal business hours to protect ADM results

Qualifications:

• BS/BA in Agriculture, Business, or related field of study
• 2+ years’ experience in cash commodity trading or related field
• Strong computer competency in MS Office, IBM, Agris, ICE Connect and other web based internal applications
• Strong work Ethic, positive attitude and professional demeanor required
• Desire to develop and initiative to learn other responsibilities
• Detail Oriented in a fast-paced environment
• This position requires working at a desk both on a telephone and at a computer for prolonged periods of time as well as traveling to visit customers in various, geographically diverse conditions.