Commodity Merchant Associate

Purpose of the Position Purchases and schedules ingredients and other items required to meet production needs, adjusting for schedule changes or supplier issues to ensure continued plant operations while preserving company margin. Responsible for completing the commodity training program, and acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully buy, schedule, and hedge price sensitive commodities. The training program is a learn, apply, reflect model with increasing responsibility in the commodity sourcing/hedging team. Essential Position Responsibilities Completes commodity training program. All assignments in the training program are to completed and documented. Responsible for the purchase of cash commodities for company feed mills: Exercises trade judgment to purchase all cash ingredients required for company feed mill operations. Secures desired quantities and varieties at lowest feasible costs that meet production requirements and quality guidelines. Responsible for scheduling: Works with suppliers and transportation vendors to schedule delivery to company feed mills. Negotiates with transportation vendors for transportation rates. Coordinates the delivery of ingredients with feed mill production schedules, ensuring goods are delivered on a timely basis. Supports company-wide commodity risk management program: Keeps up to date with current trends and marketplace dynamics impacting exchange-traded commodities, working with outside firms to gather and analyze information. Analyzes market conditions and evaluates company positions. Creates position reports and hedging recommendations. Assists in strategy execution, using cash purchases, futures, and options to hedge margin exposure. Provides support and assistance to other procurement staff as needed. Participates as a member of the team: Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues, and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization. Simmons operating systems, principles, and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies) understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems- including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas. Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describes all the work that may be required of the person in the position. Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customer, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a feed mill or manufacturing environment, office environment, and surrounding property. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As required by visiting facility Travel: Travels domestically and internationally to and from multiple facilities, work-sites, and industry conferences, possibly requiring overnight stays. Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Agri-Business, Business or related field Preferred Education: Master’s Degree or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) Competencies: Timely Decision Making: Makes decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision. Conflict Management: Can find common ground and get cooperation with a minimum of noise; can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably; steps up to conflicts, seeing them as opportunities; reads situations quickly; good at focused listening. Informing: Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs and to feel good about being a member of the team, unity, and/or the organization; provides individuals information so that they can make accurate decisions; is timely with information Integrity and Trust: Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain. We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.