Junior Trader at Louis Dreyfus Company

Job Description

• Drive origination, trading and market analyses in order to support the growth of the grains and oilseed business in Southern Africa

Commercial

• Oversee physical trade operations with a focus on origination of grains (yellow and white corn) and oilseeds (focus on soybeans) for both domestic basis contracts and exports (either cross-border or deep-sea)
• Identify, execute and optimize PnL on cash trading opportunities with respect to market spreads vs. cost of carry and delivery arbs
• Identify, execute and optimize PnL on prop trading opportunities with respect to relative value trades (parities), calendar spreads and flat positions in ZAR and USD
• Ensure trade to cash process is implemented (validation of contracts, exchanges of futures, FX hedge for sales, collection of funds, collection of cargo in case of prepayment)
• Follow execution of the program, assist in solving daily issues (interface with execution, freight team, and destination teams)
• Drive external commercial interactions (industry events, tender submissions, regular meetings)
• Build personal relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external)

Analysis

• Develop and operate intelligence/trading tools (export and import parities, crush margins, domestic and cross-border basis)
• Support research team with market intelligence tools for S&D modeling across multiple products / regions
• Send out key market information, analysis and updates to the platform (line-ups, SAF values, competitor updates, S&D updates)
• Identify trends and market developments, ensuring the exchange of information and the production of market and other reports

Experience:

• 3- 5 years of experience in a commercial / trading position in South African Agricultural sector with existing relationships in the industry

Knowledge:

• Ability to manage a high level of complexity and good problem-solving skills.
• Analytical mindset, at ease with numbers and proven negotiation skills.
• Possesses a certain layer of finesse and tact to represent the Company in front of customers
• Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi-cultural and cross-functional team
• Flexibility, ability to cope with fast-paced changes within a growing company

Education:

• University degree in a relevant field, such as Agricultural economics

Languages:

• Fluent in Afrikaans and English – any other language would be a plus.

Systems:

• Advanced user of Excel and PowerBI
• Any programming knowledge would be useful