Freight Trader

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 Freight Trader will play a crucial role as part of the global Freight Commercial Handysize and Supramax team, segmented by vessel size with region specific responsibilities. The Freight Platform is an independent profit center with the mandate of acting as a proprietary freight trader/operator. 

As part of the Vancouver Freight Commercial team, this position will focus on the Pacific Northwest region, with responsibilities across pricing, positioning, business development and contract execution.  This role involves interaction with both internal and external cargo customers, whilst also commercially manages the period fleet, optimizing the regional program. The Freight Trader role demands a keen ability to navigate and interpret complex market dynamics, and has a focus on expanding our reach and access with industrial cargo clients. Responsibilities include:

 

Pricing of Freight and Rate Negotiation:

• Accurately price, sell and manage freight risks for internal clients
• Develop 3rd party relationships on cargo and owning side, to complement and expand base internal cargo flow
• Optimize regional position through arbitrage of derivative hedges and physical positions; cargoes (internal/external), contracts and period vessels
• Participate in external markets, spot and forward, to identify ‘replacement’ market prices
• Utilize in-house research and data analytics to identify market ‘mispricing’ and relative value trading opportunities
• Use the price forecast as the basis for generating firm freight rates to provide to internal commodity traders for completion of CNF sales and market research as well as for the basis of external trading on cargoes, contracts and period vessels
• Identify and trade arbitrage and hedging opportunities in the freight derivatives and futures market, and assess the opportunity of applying a period ship or new period ship fixture against a freight sale

Position Management:

• Orchestrate and execute the optimization and profitable arbitrage of the regional book, interacting with other regional traders to find the net best employment for period vessels
• Work in tandem with the regional offices including Singapore and Geneva to optimize trading strategy of LDC physical cargo/tonnage book
• Liaise with the internal commodity teams to anticipate demand while ensuring smooth internal shipment program

Business Development:

• Expand third party network with a particular focus on accessing industrial cargo clients and bypassing operator/trader intermediaries
• Seek for both spot, medium and long-term opportunities, including COAs and joint ventures

Freight Contract Execution:

• Work closely with Freight Operations to stay on top of the itineraries, stow plans, and voyage execution PnLs. Ensure all documentary and administrative requirements are complete in a timely manner
• Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and/or to determine the need for changes; consult the Senior Trader on unusual price strategy, policy and operational issues if necessary/applicable
• Adhere to the Corporate and/or Platform Risk, Credit, Compliance, and Ethics guidelines

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Engineering, Finance, Trade, Maritime Studies or related field of study
• Previous work experience in drybulk shipping on Handysize or Supramax
• Genuine interest in global shipping and commodity markets
• Able to be “on call” 24/7 in order to complete time-sensitive projects, attend trainings or to respond to emergencies.
• Able to work with teams in different geographical locations, within complex and international environments
• Thrives in a fast paced work environment in a trading-floor style structure.
• Extensive experience performing advanced freight calculations
• Previous experience/familiarity negotiating time charter and voyage charter party terms
• Exposure to arbitraging freight positions on spot and forward markets
• Experience and/or interest in analyzing balance sheets and working with researchers/data analysts
• Experience working with other commercial teams to design trading strategies is a plus
• Able to manage data and summarizing large quantity of data into key/actionable insights
• Able to analyze trends, data, and numbers to draw meaningful conclusions and write comprehensive reports
• Effective and timely communication and collaboration with the local and global teams in a highly competitive freight market; also able to explain complex ideas in a simple way to a varied audience
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with an attentive approach to analysis to ensure accurate assumptions and conclusions
• Ability to understand the business needs & potential issues and propose innovative ideas/solutions
• Strong statistical and analytical skills, with a solid understanding of data management best practices
• Experience with BI tools for analytics, as well strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Python programming skills and command on SQL and Data visualization tools are a plus
• Good time management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Interpersonal skills, ability to forge relationships with colleagues and external parties, while maintaining a high emotional intelligence
• Self-motivated, assertive & problem-solver individual
• Occasional domestic and/or international travel to meet clients and attend shipping conventions is 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 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