Commercial Intern

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 G&O Commercial Internship a program that provides hands-on exposure to export-centered grains and oilseeds trading. Interns work closely with traders, managers, and supply chain teams to learn core commercial skills, including contracting, negotiation, customer relations, execution and rail settlements, supply-and-demand analysis, and market research/data analysis, with opportunities to participate in summer crop tours.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Interns will complete a summer program organized around trading grains & oilseeds in a global, inherently volatile environment.
• Learn the basics of contracting to buy and sell grain in both domestic and export markets.
• Learn and practice hedging and other important risk management strategies.
• Learn to negotiate and manage relationships with key commercial counterparties and co-ops.
• Gain familiarity with the physical flow of commodities & assist in the execution and settlement of shipments.
• Assist in Summer crop tours throughout the Midwest to gather essential, proprietary data.
• Research and Analyze Market Data, leveraging company resources, including AI, to guide trading decisions.
• Acquire a working knowledge of the importance of transportation costs & secondary freight markets in trading.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop proficiency in LDC-specific software, Microsoft Co-Pilot, Power BI, and SharePoint.

• Create and maintain spreadsheets to organize relevant data, tactical positions, and essential logistics.
• Maintain, publish, and distribute relevant nightly wires and bid sheets for both internal and external customers.
• All Interns are required to actively participate, ask questions, and offer opinions.

 

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.
• Possesses a genuine interest in sales and enjoys interacting with new people daily, with the ability to socialize easily and gain trust and extract information through conversation.
• Skilled in communication, both written and verbal
• Proficient with MS Word and Excel.

Working Conditions

Primarily climate-controlled office environment. Summer Crop tours and periodic visits to industrial operational sites are necessary and will involve road travel and exposure to prevailing weather conditions and outdoor air quality/allergens. 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. 

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