Merchandising Assistant Lead

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

This position provides operational and administrative support to the Merchandising department in the Kansas City, MO office of a global merchandiser and processor of agricultural goods. In addition to fulfilling current Merchandising Assistant responsibilities, the role helps lead Merchandising Assistants by delegating tasks, covering duties, and answering questions as needed, while also contributing to process improvement projects.

 

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions

• Assist Merchandisers in resolving Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable issues.
• Provide customer service support for the Merchandising desk by contacting customers and brokers to gather information and documentation as needed.
• Prepare various spreadsheets to summarize the contract and delivery data for the Merchandising desk.
• Assure accuracy and timeliness of data taken for Merchandisers, along with being the first check for reasonableness of accuracy received.
• Assist with approving broker, demurrage, and other invoices for barge or rail.
• Provide logistical support to the Barge Freight desk to include creating contracts, releasing barges, assisting with barge claims and maintaining the Barge Freight Database and Barge Freight Position.
• Assist in identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency.
• Delegate tasks and help cover other Merchandising Assistant duties when team members are out of the office.
• Assist Merchandising Assistants in resolving customer and merchandiser issues.
• Contribute to setting team objectives and provide input during the performance review process.
• Additional Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between the merchandising desk and execution and logistics areas of the office.
• Support training for new hires, new tasks, or as needed for Merchandising Assistant.
• Coordinates review of SOPs annually, providing recommended updates as needed.

Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses

Basic Qualification:

• Associate’s degree in a business-related discipline, bachelor's degree highly preferred.

Experience

Basic qualifications:

• Three to five years of execution / sales support experience within the Grain industry, Biofuels or similar field. Specifically, three years of experience as a Merchandising Assistant within the Grain industry. 

 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

Basic qualifications:

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet strict daily deadlines with minimal supervision. 
• Strong practical accounting, analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Positive attitude, self-motivated.
• Knowledge and interpretation of position reporting.
• Proficiency with spreadsheet and word-processing software, (e.g., Excel and MS Word).
• Comfortable working with individuals at all organizational levels.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Ability to work with discretion and handle confidential information.

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of grain industry practices, terminology and settlement processes.
• Experience working in an active and fast-paced department.

Working Conditions

• Fast paced, trading floor environment.

Interacts closely with personnel in other departments and Company locations.
• Interacts closely with middle and senior management personnel.
• Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies.

Employee Supervision

• Help lead the Merchandising Assistants with daily responsibilities.

Decision Making/Accountability

• Handle and report customer issues or questions concerning purchasing and/or sales as directed by Kansas City Management.  Directly accountable for the accuracy of data collected, understanding and interpretation of Position reports, ensures integrity of data reported, reports produced without supervision, identifies data discrepancy issues, determines responsible parties and follows issues through to resolution, inaccurate position data or data reported to Merchandisers can result in significant financial losses to the Company, priorities personal workload throughout the day to ensure meeting of deadlines.

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