Merchandising Intern

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.

Job Description

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.

Qualifications

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.

Additional Information

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 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