Merchandising Intern

Job Description

Company Description

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 objective of the summer intern program is to train an individual on the basics of commodity trading including; buying grain, selling feed co-products, supply and demand relationships, customer relations, clerical work, contract agreements, information gathering, filing, basic accounting and helping to work on data analysis as well as gather data during summer crop tours.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Learn to negotiate contracts with customers.
• Participate in the process of origination strategies for commodities and coordinate transportation logistics and receivables
• Assist in summer crop tours throughout the Midwest to gather data important to trading decisions.
• Input contracts into front office system.
• Learn and practice methods for hedging.

Additional Responsibilities

• Research and analyze market data.
• Create spreadsheets to organize relevant data.

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Must be enrolled in college pursuing a two or four-year degree in one of the following areas: Business, economics, agriculture, communications or marketing. 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

• Willingness to learn the basics of futures markets, hedging and customer relations.
• Skilled in communication, both written and verbal
• Proficient with MS Word and Excel.

Working Conditions

Primarily climate-controlled office environment.  Periodic visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions.  Regular exposure to gases, vapors, dust and odors.  Occasional exposure to areas with wet floors and high volume of noise.  Some stair climbing is required.  Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies.  Some weekend work will be required.  

Employee Supervision

Supervises no other employees.

Decision Making/Accountability

Exercises judgment, within established parameters, to arrive at appropriate merchandising/origination decisions and actions for the purpose of adding value to the firm; assesses risk pertaining to buying and selling in the corn and distiller market.

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