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.
Job DescriptionAbout the Role
As a Sales Manager Soft Commodities, you are responsible for expanding the commercial customer base in sectors such as coffee, cocoa, nuts, dairy, grains, pet food, and other soft commodities. Your focus lies on active prospecting combined with strengthening and nurturing existing client relationships. You understand the commercial dynamics of commodity markets, closely follow market trends, and translate these insights into concrete business growth.
Key Responsibilities
1. New Business Development & Market Expansion
- Actively identify and approach potential new customers (importers, exporters, traders, manufacturers, etc.).
- Discover new markets, niches, and growth opportunities within soft commodities.
- Build and manage a strong sales pipeline, guiding prospects through the full commercial cycle.
- Represent the company at trade fairs, customer visits, and industry events.
2. Account Management & Relationship Building
- Manage and deepen long-term relationships with existing customers; act as their strategic point of contact.
- Understand the full supply chain needs of each customer (storage, processing, transport, customs, etc.).
- Detect new commercial opportunities within existing portfolios.
- Monitor customer satisfaction and proactively initiate improvement actions.
3. Sales Strategy & Targets
- Develop and execute an annual sales plan aligned with company objectives.
- Achieve revenue and margin targets.
- Conduct market, pricing, and competitor analyses and convert insights into commercial actions.
4. Contract & Pricing Management
- Prepare commercial proposals, quotations, and service packages.
- Lead negotiations on rates, contract conditions, and volumes.
- Ensure clear, accurate, and transparent commercial agreements.
5. Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with Operations, Customer Service, Finance, and Quality teams.
- Translate customer expectations into operational execution.
- Provide input for process improvements based on customer feedback.
6. Reporting
- Prepare sales reports, forecasts, and market analyses.
- Present results and growth plans to the Commercial Director / CEO.
- Evaluate performance using relevant KPIs.
Profile
Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in commercial roles and/or in logistics.
- Experience in soft commodities, or agrifood.
- Strong commercial drive with proven prospecting and networking abilities.
- Experience in contract and pricing negotiations.
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to turn market insights into business opportunities.
Personality
- Excellent relationship builder with strong communication skills.
- Entrepreneurial, result‑driven, and autonomous.
- Able to engage professionally at all levels (operational to C‑suite).
- Hands‑on and highly customer‑focused.
Languages
- Fluent in Dutch and English; French is a plus.
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
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.
Our Benefits
- A close and warm team
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Fringe benefits such as meal vouchers, hospitalisation and group insurance, ecocheques, salary sacrifice bike lease
- Flexible working
- Pension contributions
- Access to Training and Development
Skills Required
- Minimum 5 years' experience in commercial roles and/or in logistics
- Experience in soft commodities or agrifood
- Proven prospecting, networking and new business development skills
- Experience in contract and pricing negotiations
- Strong analytical mindset to convert market insights into business opportunities
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills; able to engage from operational to C-suite
- Fluent in Dutch and English
- French language skills
What We Do
Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. We leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world, delivering the right products to the right location, at the right time – safely, responsibly and reliably. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines (platforms). Since 1851 our portfolio has grown to include Grains & Oilseeds, Carbon Solutions, Food & Feed Solutions, Coffee, Cotton, Juice, Rice, Sugar, Freight and Global Markets. We help feed and clothe some 500 million people every year by originating, processing and transporting approximately 80 million tons of products. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and eight platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 17,000 people globally. For more information, visit www.ldc.com.
