The Rail Feedgrains Trade Unit Manager manages the rail freight commercial strategy, profitability, and overall performance of the trade team. The Trade Unit Manager leads the day-to-day execution of the strategy for the trade unit and leads a team of merchandisers and execution specialists to perform at a high level. This role maximizes facility economics through effective merchandising, trading, origination support, customer relationship management, and supply chain execution. The trade unit manager is on the front line with the external marketplace using trade and execution acumen and global supply and demand information to create and keep revenue within Scoular's risk parameters. The Trade Unit Manager must be able to read and react to market changes in real time, optimize capacity and connect execution with the position and credit limits provided to them. This role has responsibility over business development, interpretation of global and regional markets, communicating market opinions, execution of a complex supply chain and forming long term strategic direction. Additionally, this position is responsible for the growth and development of team members in the trade unit as well as promoting collaboration across trade units and product groups within the broader enterprise.
Job Responsibilities:Trading & Execution:- Develop and execute a rail freight trading strategy aligned with company commodity and commercial objectives.
- Assess freight spreads, basis movements, geographic dislocations, transportation constraints, seasonal patterns, railroad performance, weather, crop conditions, and demand to identify market opportunities.
- Lead decisions on freight commitments, transportation positioning, contract structures, and related commercial opportunities across key corridors and providers.
- Optimize freight costs and rail network value while balancing short-term trading opportunities with long-term transportation commitments.
- Responsible for trade unit P&L and cash management including weekly/monthly reporting.
- Risk management within assigned risk limits, in alignment with General Managers for trade positions within their trade unit.
- Develop, support and execute a stakeholder plan to support, service, and connect with strategic and targeted customers at appropriate levels.
Team Leadership:- Lead and support team by coaching, giving feedback and meeting with direct reports on reoccurring basis as well as quarterly check-ins on performance and goal achievement.
- Drive empowered decision making deep in the organization with clear accountability.
- Engage and inspire teams through inclusive leadership, making Scoular a great place to work.
- Drive high performance and individual growth and development amongst team members.
- Drive collaboration and sharing best practices across the trade unit to support new ideas.
Business Planning & Growth:- Plan and implement new strategies to improve the efficiency and profitability of the trade unit and larger business unit.
- Accountable to forecasting & budgeting with accuracy and timeliness. Ability to explain and articulate variances.
- Knowledgeable and aware of upcoming market trends, anticipate the impact and continuously monitoring competitive landscape.
Organizational Leadership & Effectiveness:- Represent The Scoular Company with participation in industry associations.
- Identify and lead collaboration opportunities between businesses within the division and across divisions.
- Leadership and alignment of functional partners supporting the trade unit towards achievement of a common set of goals.
- Lead a culture that drives demonstrated behaviors that are aligned with the company's values.
In performing their responsibilities, employees are expected to perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision, interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers, work effectively as a team contributor and independently while understanding the necessity for communication with other employees and throughout Scoular.
- College degree in business related field or equivalent and relevant experience.
- Minimum 6 years of Agri-business and/or merchandising experience.
- Strong understanding of rail freight markets, railroad operations, freight contracts, rail logistics, and agricultural commodity flows.
- Demonstrated record of profitable commercial decision-making and risk management.
- Experience leading teams and developing high-performing commercial talent.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills and relationship building capability.
- Demonstrated aptitude in accounting and financial practices and procedures.
- Highly skilled in problem solving techniques.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with strong business acumen and ability to drive forward and execute strategy.
- Demonstrated agility to navigate dynamic and everchanging environment.
- Proven ability to perform in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as needed
Preferred Qualifications:- Active involvement in industry agriculture association groups.
- Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural macro economics.
- Direct people leadership experience and strong people management skills with proven ability to develop high performing teams.
- Sales/merchandising experience
