The Eastern Rail Senior Merchant is an experienced commodity trader with developed trade skills and will trade eastern rail markets specific to CN, NS and CSX railroads. This role has responsibility to interpret the rail market, formulate and communicate market opinions and take risk/reward positions for the Scoular company. The Senior Merchant is expected to build deep customer relationships with both the buyer and seller, with added focus on commercial relationships with both the origin elevators and end user customers. This position 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.
- Manage a position or subset of the overall position for the business.
- Expected to have opinion on market everyday.
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:- Recruit 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:- Assist Trade Unit Manager in preparing monthly, quarterly, annual P&L estimates and forecasts for the trade unit.
- 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.
People Development/Training:- Coach/mentor Merchants on the team and give Merchandiser Assistants daily direction.
- Create/drive collaboration within the division and company.
- 4+ years merchandising experience.
- College degree in 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
Preferred Qualifications:- Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, along with desire to learn new programs.
- Active involvement in industry agriculture association groups.
- Demonstrated leadership skills.
- Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural macroeconomics.
