Lead Logistics Specialist

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

Overall Purpose and Objective of Position

The Lead Logistics Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for bulk food-grade transportation operations at a large integrated oilseeds processing facility. This role provides leadership in transportation planning, carrier strategy, freight risk management, and supply chain optimization. The position is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives, influencing logistics strategy, mentoring team members, and ensuring operational excellence across inbound and outbound transportation activities. The Lead Logistics Specialist partners closely with commercial, operations, quality, and logistics teams to identify opportunities that improve service, reduce costs, mitigate risk, and support business growth, with a strong commitment to safety, sustainability, and customer service.

Primary Responsibilities / Essential Functions

• Lead freight procurement, transportation strategy, and logistics execution to ensure cost-effective, efficient, and reliable movement of products.
• Manage transportation planning, scheduling, inventory positioning, and shipment execution to support customer requirements and on-time delivery performance.
• Serve as the primary logistics subject matter expert for carriers, customers, and internal stakeholders, providing guidance on freight markets, transportation requirements, and supply chain risks.
• Lead carrier and customer relationship management, issue resolution, and escalation activities to maintain service excellence and operational continuity.
• Analyze transportation, inventory, and market data to identify risks, improve performance, and support business decision-making.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with Sales, Operations, Quality, Customer Service, and Logistics teams to optimize inventory, order fulfillment, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee order call-offs, shipping documentation, contract balances, carrier records, compliance requirements, and logistics data within applicable systems.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, process standardization, audits, projects, and performance measurement activities that drive operational and financial results.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, cross-training, and technical support to Logistics Coordinators, Associates, and Specialists.
• Support strategic logistics planning, capacity management, and other responsibilities as assigned by the Head of Logistics.
• Identify and implement transportation network optimization opportunities to improve service, capacity utilization, and total delivered cost.

Company Conformance Statements

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision
• Interact professionally with co-workers, Company business associates and the general public
• Work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the Company
• Operate in a fully responsible manner and comply with the law and Company policy

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Basic qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• 4+ years of progressively responsible experience in logistics, transportation, supply chain management, import/export logistics, or customs clearance of food-grade products.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with freight rates from various origins.
• Experience with food-grade products, CARM, AES filing, and USMCA guidelines.
• Experience leading projects, process improvement initiatives, or cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in freight procurement, carrier management, transportation analytics, and transportation risk management.
• Experience mentoring team members and serving as a recognized logistics subject matter expert.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of handling food grade bulk liquid shipments.
• In depth understanding of incoterms and transit times.
• Ability to communicate and minimize risks associated with bulk shipments.
• Knowledge of transporting food products.
• Knowledge of grain industry practices, terminology and settlement process.
• Strong practical accounting, analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Excel and Office products.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to set deadlines and adhere to them.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Advanced knowledge of transportation markets, freight procurement, carrier management, and supply chain risk management.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
• Strong project management and continuous improvement capabilities.
• Ability to mentor and develop less experienced logistics professionals.
• Ability to analyze complex business issues and provide clear, strategic recommendations.
• Strong leadership presence, sound judgment, and effective decision-making skills.

Equipment Used

• Typical office equipment: PC, telephone.

Working Conditions

• Primarily climate-controlled office environment.  Periodic visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure during such visits to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions. Interact closely with personnel in other departments and company locations, interact closely with middle and senior level management, domestic travel to visit customers required (up to 20% at times).  Call-ins or the extension of regular working hours (50-60 hours per week) are occasionally needed to complete time-sensitive projects or respond to emergencies.  Some weekend work is required.

Employee Supervision

• No direct supervisory responsibilities; however, this position serves as a functional leader and subject matter expert within the logistics organization. Provides guidance, mentoring, training, and technical leadership to Logistics Coordinators, Associates, Specialists, and other team members.

Decision Making/Accountability

• Exercises significant independent judgment in transportation planning, carrier selection, freight risk assessment, and customer service decisions. Provides recommendations to management regarding transportation strategies, cost optimization opportunities, process improvements, and risk mitigation activities. Acts as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert for logistics-related business decisions, escalates material concerns or risks promptly to the appropriate audience, and independently prioritizes work to meet deadlines and business needs.

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other protected status.

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- 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

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us