Oilseeds Buyer Trainee

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 Trainee position is an integral part of Yorkton’s Commercial team, as they currently support and backup all functions including Settlements (35%), Buyers (35%) and General Office Administration / Reception (30%). 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. Training and cross-coverage is conducted by way of shadowing and being a mentee, necessitating a high degree of interaction with other Buyers and the Commercial Manager.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide backup and assistance to several teams within the Commercial group, including but not limited to Settlements, Buyers, General Office Administration and Reception, etc.
• Develop and manage customer base and producer relationships via face to face meetings, emails and telephone calls
• 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
• Attend producer meetings sometimes after hours
• Manage producer discrepancies on canola related issues verbally
• Manage / update information on web page
• 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 grain 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

• Previous post-secondary education is required (preferred within a relevant area such as Agriculture, Commerce, etc)
• Must have atleast 2 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.
• 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 behalf of the Oilseed Buyers 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