Commodities Merchandiser
Kent Corporation
Muscatine, IA
Full-time
Finance
Posted on June 11, 2019
Growth, it’s how the world moves forward. As our population grows so do our needs, and so must our ingenuity and determination. More people, more livestock, more pets. There’s one thing they all need, food. It’s a growing challenge and we’re ready! With four divisions, in thirteen states, in 60 countries and 2,000 dedicated employees with a shared vision for the future. Our PEOPLE lead the way, focused on quality, driven to find new solutions, determined to get it right the first time, every time. We are here for the long haul and we’re doing more every day. Expanding our production facilities, leading the science of animal nutrition, driving innovation in pet products, delivering more flavor to more consumers, and investing in the future of food and grain science. Nutrition, science, technology, and the PEOPLE to make it all work better. What we do here helps a growing world do more. We’ve achieved great things in the last 90 years and we’re just getting started! Let’s grow together! Join our team today!
As a merchandiser at Kent Corporation, your role will be to effectively manage commodity origination and feed ingredients logistics for the Kent Nutrition Group. You will also learn how to handle various aspects of risk management within our commodities department. As a valued member of our team, you will develop long term relationships with our vendors and customers built on honesty and trust.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assess supply base and negotiate best cost structure
- Ensure proper inventory levels and products are purchased and are within specifications
- Manage the execution of hedging orders and risk compliance
- Address supplier pricing and/or delivery issues; advising management of market conditions and supply base activity which present risk or elevate to management’s attention
- Support negotiating cost saving initiatives and cost mitigation efforts
- Review spend for best cost commodities, ingredients and cost savings opportunities
- Identify and develop a reliable and effective base of qualified suppliers
- Drive continuous supplier quality improvement through participating in rapid improvement events, supplier quality audits, training and certifications as require
- Identify, develop, and implement inter-departmental projects to achieve department’s initiatives
- Plan and manage delivery schedules in conjunction with operations personnel
- Work cross-functionally as a team to develop and execute projects
- Collaborate with internal feed formulators and plant managers to provide lowest cost options for all feeds, feed ingredients and feed products
- Maintain updated purchasing records/data and pricing in the system
- Prepare reports and summarize data of commodities purchased, positions held and book value
- Execution and monitor all regular purchasing duties
- Handle and monitor claims to suppliers and vendors for defectives, shortage, contaminated or out of spec products
- Balance our futures position and account for daily futures trading
- Source, select and negotiate best purchase package for quality, price, terms, deliveries and services
EDUCATION & SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business, Supply Chain Management, Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field
- 2 – 3 years’ experience in a supply chain field
- Positive attitude and ability to work with a sense of urgency in a fast paced, autonomous environment
- Must be a team player, and understand impact to others on complex business needs
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Analytical and problem solving skills and ability to think and act independently
- Excellent decision making, people management, and negotiation skill
- Proficiency with MS Office (Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)