The posting
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
Join Louis Dreyfus Company as a Coffee Trader/Marketer and play a key role in connecting coffee producers and roasters across the supply chain.
In this highly visible commercial role, you'll manage and grow relationships with coffee roasters, develop trading opportunities, and provide market insights that help customers navigate an ever-changing coffee landscape. You'll work closely with teams across trading, logistics, sustainability, research, and risk management to deliver solutions that create value for our customers while supporting a sustainable and resilient coffee supply chain.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys combining commercial strategy, relationship management, market analysis, and global collaboration. You'll have the chance to influence trading decisions, identify new business opportunities, represent LDC at industry events, and become a trusted advisor to customers on everything from coffee sourcing and logistics to sustainability initiatives and risk management strategies.
Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions
- Use specialized knowledge to manage select coffee accounts (which may vary over time)Expand coffee roaster relationship value in terms of risk management, supply chain, research collaboration. Develop new customers and broaden the types of coffees we sell to each roaster Optimize trade execution.
- Participate in the Cash calls as allocated by manager.Use specialized knowledge to aide price discovery, demand-side data sourcing and analysis, and spots and destination pricing.
- Develop and broaden our customer list. Understand client’s needs and answer to these needs in a commercial manner, sustain the relationships with the key customers through commercial actions (provide market advice, visit clients, etc.)
- Execute agreed positions, negotiate and manage trades (make adjustments as needed), close discussions and secure contract terms and conditions; identify potential issues early and address them to minimize damage.
- Liaise with smaller trade houses to increase sales volumes, gain indirect market access to non-target clients
- Oversee and coordinate execution of the transactions until fulfilment. Control of possible demurrage, inventory management, invoice payments, risk exposure, quality control etc.) from origin to final contracted terms.
- Regular communication with support teams across the globe; execution/logistics, sustainability, contracts, futures management teams, etc.
- Market intelligence: gather and feed local market information (supply, demand, prices, competition, trends), Active participation to the debate about market data and balance sheet.
- Start to identify potential new trade flows and customers; work on ways to initiate/increase business with customers and suppliers. Particularly in the Sustainable area to grow as the main commercial point of reference in the area.
Additional Responsibilities
- Arrange client visits and attend trade shows: NCA, GCA, WOC etc.
- Liaise with LDC Credit to establish new customers and manage deliveries within established credit limits.
- Build and maintain customer database compiling data about clients and their businesses.
- Identify potential new trade flows and customers or ways to initiate/increase business with customers and suppliers.
Qualifications
Education/Professional Certifications/Licenses
The following is the required qualification:
- Bachelor’s degree with a preference for a BA in Economics, or Business-related degree.
Experience
The following are the basic qualifications:
- 3-5 years’ experience in coffee industry, familiar with GCA contract terms and conditions.
- Experienced in green coffee sample roasting and quality evaluation including cupping and defect analysis.
- Knowledge of coffee production, processing, exportation
- Knowledge of ocean freight as well as rail/truck logistics
The following is the preferred qualification:
- 3-5 years’ experience in coffee industry with strong preference for sales.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)
The following are the required qualifications:
- Futures trading understanding, series 3 equivalency.
- Knowledge of and interest in coffee quality characteristics
- Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Business development interest and skills
- Ability to operate coffee roasters and grinders, brewers, espresso machine, and moisture meter.
Additional Information
This position is located in our Wilton, CT office and we are on a hybrid schedule (4 days in/1 day remote).
Equipment Used
Typical office equipment: PC, telephone, excel, CRM software.
Working Conditions
Typical climate-controlled office environment. Extension of regular working hours is occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects (especially during month-end and year-end closes), attend training or to respond to emergencies. 10% domestic travel and/or international travel.
Employee Supervision
No direct supervision; works collaboratively with other marketers as well as regular engagement with operations and logistics.
Decision Making/Accountability
Utilizes knowledge of coffee production, processing, logistics and general futures trading to engage customers.
Operates as an agent of the company to contract green coffee sales.
Customer account management, credit discussions and futures order execution, resolves quality issues.
#LI-hybrid
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
