College degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience
Proven critical thinking skills to drive strategy
Exceptional customer service and relationship-building skills
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
Aptitude in accounting and financial practices
Strong problem-solving skills
Understanding of grain markets, hedging, and logistics
Responsibilities
Interpret market trends and formulate daily market opinions
Ensure compliance with risk management policies
Lead logistics planning and negotiate freight contracts
Manage customer relationships and provide accurate market information
Oversee P&L management and prepare financial forecasts
Coach and mentor team members to enhance performance
Problem-solve execution issues during daily operations
Benefits
Opportunities for professional development and mentorship
Collaborative work environment
Engagement with industry agriculture associations
Potential for travel to enhance business relationships
Supportive company culture focused on customer experience
Full Job Description
The Senior Merchant is an experienced commodity trader with developed trade skills. This role has responsibility to interpret a market, formulate and communicate market opinions and take risk/reward positions for the Scoular company. A Senior Merchant builds deep customer relationships with both the buyer and seller. The Senior Merchant plays a critical role in mentoring and guiding other Merchants on the team.
Market Analytics:
Assure that the trade unit is in compliance with all risk management policies.
Assess market trends, key leading indicators and is proficient in the market.
Review product supply and demand and formulate opinions related to the market to make trade decisions that create revenue for the trade unit or product group.
Manage a position or subset of the overall position for the business.
Expected to have opinion on market every day.
Logistics/Execution:
Lead execution logistics planning and strategy. Includes fundamental knowledge of truck/rail execution and commodity arbitrage.
Manage relationships with the freight providers.
Negotiate freight contracts.
Arbitrage the position for optimal execution.
Expected to problem solve in midst of execution and day to day execution issues.
Customer Relationship Building:
Establish customers and business that support the business unit's business strategy.
Develop and maintain the extensive and varied business relationships in the marketplace.
Provide customers with accurate market information and answers to questions about their business transactions, such as settlements.
Build effective, on-going interaction with both current and potential customers.
Act as a front-line negotiator for handling trading conflicts.
Responsible for customer experience to ensure Scoular delivers a favorable customer experience (supplier, end user, carrier).
P&L Planning & Management:
Manage the P&L for the assigned business or subset of the business.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual P&L estimates for the trade unit or product group.
Provide monthly P&L results and quarterly forecasts.
Manage daily position report for the trade unit.
Accountable to maintain position limits, credit limits and in store inventories as defined by division leadership and trade finance.
Create forecasts to inform the Trade Unit Manager/Product Group Manager.
People Development/Training:
Coach/mentor other Merchandisers on the team and give Merchandiser Assistants daily direction.
Create/drive collaboration within the division and company.
4+ years merchandising experience
College degree in a business related field or equivalent experience
Proven critical thinking skills and ability to drive strategy forward
Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills and relationship building capability
Proven ability to perform in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated aptitude in accounting and financial practices and procedures
Highly skilled in problem solving techniques
Ability to excel in a team trading environment
Demonstrated understanding of grain markets, hedging, commodity flows and logistics
Knowledge of the agricultural industry's trading standards and procedures
Ability to travel, as needed
Preferred:
Active involvement in industry agriculture association groups
Demonstrated leadership skills
Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural macroeconomics
About The Scoular Company
The Scoular Company is a 127-year-old company that provides diverse supply chain solutions for end-users and suppliers of grain, feed ingredients, and food ingredients around the globe. The company has more than 100 offices and facilities worldwide and has a strong presence in North America, South America, and Asia. Scoular's business is divided into two segments: Food and Feed Ingredients and International.
