Senior Merchant

The Senior Merchant is an experienced commodity trader with developed trade skills. This role will be part of the Sunflower, Bird Food, Flax business and will be focused on Flax. This role has responsibility to interpret a market, formulate and communicate market opinions and take risk/reward positions for the Scoular company. A Senior Merchant builds deep customer relationships with both the buyer and seller. The Senior Merchant plays a critical role in mentoring and guiding other Merchandisers on the team. Market AnalyticsAssure that the trade unit is in compliance with all risk management policies.Assess market trends, key leading indicators and is proficient in the marketReview product supply and demand and formulate opinions related to the market to make trade decisions that create revenue for the trade unit or product group. Manage a position or subset of the overall position for the businessExpected to have opinion on market everydayLogistics/ExecutionLead execution logistics planning and strategy. Includes fundamental knowledge of truck/rail execution and commodity arbitrage.Manage relationships with the freight providers.Negotiate freight contracts.Arbitrage the position for optimal execution.Expected to problem solve in midst of execution and day to day execution issues.Customer Relationship BuildingRecruit customers and business that support the business unit’s business strategy.Develop and maintain the extensive and varied business relationships in the marketplace.Provide customers with accurate market information and answers to questions about their business transactions, such as settlements.Build effective, on-going interaction with both current and potential customers. Act as a front line negotiator for handling trading conflicts.Responsible for customer experience to ensure Scoular delivers a favorable customer experience (supplier, end user, carrier).P&L Planning & ManagementManage the P&L for the assigned business or subset of the business.Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual P&L estimates for the trade unit or product group.Provide monthly P&L results and quarterly forecasts.Manage daily position report for the trade unit.Accountable to maintain position limits, credit limits and in store inventories as defined by division leadership and trade finance.Create forecasts to inform the Trade Unit Manager/Product Group Manager.People Development/Training:Coach/mentor other Merchandisers on the team and give Merchandiser Assistants daily direction.Create/drive collaboration within the division and company. About You2+ years merchandising experience.College degree in business related field or equivalent experience.Proven critical thinking skills and ability to drive strategy forward.Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills and relationship building capability.Proven ability to perform in a fast-paced environment.Demonstrated aptitude in accounting and financial practices and procedures.Highly skilled in problem solving techniques.Demonstrated understanding of grain markets, hedging, commodity flows and logistics.Knowledge of the agricultural industry’s trading standards and procedures.Ability to travel, as neededPreferredExperience in flax or Canadian special crops preferred. Active involvement in industry agriculture association groups.Demonstrated leadership skills.Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural macro economics. RequirementsMinimum2+ years merchandising experience.College degree in business related field or equivalent experience.Proven critical thinking skills and ability to drive strategy forward.Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills and relationship building capability.Proven ability to perform in a fast-paced environment.Demonstrated aptitude in accounting and financial practices and procedures.Highly skilled in problem solving techniques.Demonstrated understanding of grain markets, hedging, commodity flows and logistics.Knowledge of the agricultural industry’s trading standards and procedures.Ability to travel, as neededPreferredExperience in flax or Canadian special crops preferred. Active involvement in industry agriculture association groups.Demonstrated leadership skills.Demonstrated knowledge of agricultural macro economics.