Job Description

The Internship

The Merchandising Internship is the first step in your career at LDC. It is an immersive 10-week paid program designed 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.

About the Internship

• Interns will complete a 10-week program and learn to negotiate contracts with customers.
• You will be assigned hands-on, robust work, goals, and objectives tied to real business needs.
• Interns have direct access to senior traders, merchandisers and managers in an open working environment that is designed to encourage the free flow of ideas and information.
• 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.
• Research and analyze market data.
• Create spreadsheets to organize relevant data.
• Interns are encouraged to actively participate, ask questions, and offer opinions.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills

• College students entering into their Junior or Senior year, pursuing a degree in one of the following areas: Business, economics, agriculture, finance, communications, or marketing.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Critical thinking, long-term vision, and the ability to think on your feet.
• Demonstrated interest in merchandising, trading and/or markets.
• Detailed-oriented, strong organizational skills, and have a genuine interest in learning about trading physical commodities.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret large volumes of data.
• Willingness to learn the basics of futures markets, hedging and customer relations.
• 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. Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects.

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.

Company Conformance Statements

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with co-workers, Company business associates.
• Work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the Company.
• Operate in a fully responsible manner and comply with the law and Company policy.

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