Oilseeds Buyer

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.

The Oilseeds Buyer position is an integral part of Yorkton’s Commercial team, and their primary function is building and managing their customer base to successfully procure canola and yellow peas for the Yorkton, SK Processing Facility. They will get exposure to all of these individual functions and areas, as well as learn and create growth in the market place, to develop risk management skills and to how to be profitable. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage customer base and producer relationships via face to face meetings, emails and telephone calls
• Coordinate deliveries with producers to maximize delivery opportunities
• Responsible for contract implementation, execution and management of contract until time of delivery
• Negotiate trucking rates and manage trucking premiums, manage grain deals in conjunction with operations and Commercial Manager, using web based information and conference calls with Head Office
• Arrange and manage delivery schedules of canola in coordination with procurement manager, using telephone and meetings
• Create local canola sales, driving to meet with farmers, using telephone and updating lead sheets weekly
• Monitor canola prices, basis levels, fundamental and technical market factors at all times in order to talk intelligently to customers about the market and procure grain.
• Constant communication with staff & customers  answering questions, providing updates and forwarding information in a timely fashion.
• Attend producer meetings sometimes after hours
• Manage producer discrepancies on canola related issues verbally
• Manage / update information on web page
• Monitor regional crop quality, quantity accurately, market intelligence, competition bids etc and report information to HO via emails and telephone
• Negotiate trucking rates and manage trucking premiums, manage grain deals in conjunction with operations & general manager, using web based information and conference calls with head office
• Manage contract maintenance using telephones, face to face meetings and computers
• Canola grading using specified standards and communicate information to procurement manager and decide when there are quality issues from producers and manage these issues so that relationship with producer is still maintained
• All other duties as assigned and required

Education

• Previous post-secondary education is required (preferred within a relevant area such as Agriculture, Agronomy, Commerce, etc)
• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) designation would be beneficial

Experience

• Must have atleast 5 years of previous work experience within the agricultural industry and/or customer-services position(s).
• Must have previous work experience within an office environment, requiring extended time sitting at a desk, utilizing a computer and telephone.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong analytical, organizational, and negotiating skills.
• Strong communication and public relations skills, with local team, LDC colleagues (globally), customers, farmers, public, etc.
• Must be a professional, self-motivated individual.
• Proven aptitude within the entire Microsoft Suite.
• Preferred exposure to Power BI and/or other data analytics software/methods
• Exceptional customer service, and the ability to work in a fast paced environment while not sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction.
• Able to prioritize tasks and deliver high results in a high-volume work environment which can have some internal and external pressures
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to exercise independence and critical thinking, as it relates to making decisions on calculations, quality, quantity, pricing, premiums, etc.
• Collaborative attitude and proven team player.
• Valid drivers license, and able to drive for extended periods as needed
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs in order to gather and deliver samples from producers on farm.
• Must be able to work and adapt to our diverse working environments (indoors, outdoors, prevailing weather conditions, moderate to high noise level areas)

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 extended health care and dental coverage, employee and family assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage

- Retirement Savings Plan with Employer contributions and matching

- Paid vacation, paid sick time and paid statutory holidays

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.

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