Inputs Trader Specialist

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

Overview / Brief

The Inputs Trader Specialist will be responsible to work as a strategic connection between the Chinese agricultural inputs market (fertilizers and crop protection products) and LDC’s platform in Brazil, providing market intelligence, supplier management, and commercial support.

The professional will continuously monitor market trends, pricing dynamics, production capacity, regulatory developments, and competitive activity in China, translating this information into actionable insights to support sourcing decisions, risk management, and business growth.

This position will play a central role in developing and managing relationships with key Chinese suppliers, negotiating commercial terms, identifying cost-reduction opportunities, evaluating alternative sourcing options, supporting the expansion of LDC’s supplier network, and fostering collaboration across group entities.

From an operational perspective, the role will oversee the entire sourcing and importation cycle, including contract execution, payment terms, quality inspections, regulatory compliance, logistics coordination, and shipment tracking from China to Brazil.

Besides the sourcing activities, the professional will be responsible for monitoring international trading and arbitrage opportunities, including CFR sales whenever they are commercially viable and aligned with competitiveness, margins, and adherence to internal risk, credit, compliance, quality, and execution policies.

The position requires strong market insight, cross-cultural negotiation skills, a solid understanding of international logistics, execution discipline, and the ability to translate local market intelligence from China into commercial decisions for the Brazilian market.

Main Responsibilities

• Trading and Supplier & Customer Relationship Management (60%) 
o Develop and implement relationship management plans for strategic suppliers and key accounts, 
building and strengthening key relationships at a national level to support the achievement of the 
business plan. 
o Responsible for buying and selling fertilizers to execute and influence business objectives (volumes, 
pricing, margins, and EBITDA). 
o Maintains deep knowledge of the product portfolio and makes volume allocation decisions by region 
while continuously identifying new business opportunities. 
• Contribution Margin Definition (10%) 
o Leverages market intelligence data to develop contribution margin strategies aligned with the business 
plan and commercial objectives. 
• Market Data Analysis (10%) 
o Prepare reports containing analyses and insights on agricultural inputs market developments (Farmer 
Buying and Balance Sheet) and opportunities across the entire value chain.  
o Develops and maintains fertilizer Supply & Demand (S&D) forecasts, including the presentation of 
market data and key assumptions used to support trading and positioning decisions.
• Risk Management (5%) 
o Actively participates in discussions related to the assessment of supply positions and risks, as well as 
Mark-to-Market (MtM) strategies and analyses of sales and supply portfolios. 
• Operational Compliance (5%) 
o Acts ethically and maintains a thorough understanding of organizational policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and codes of conduct, ensuring full compliance with mandatory standards in daily activities.  
o Identifies instances of non-compliance with organizational policies, procedures, regulatory 
requirements, and codes of conduct, reporting and escalating issues as appropriate. 
• Supply Chain Management (5%) 
o Monitors and analyze customer portfolio data across regions, identifying product consumption patterns 
and application cycles to anticipate fertilizer demand. Aligns supply with market needs, ensuring supply 
chain efficiency and product availability. 
• Effective Communication (5%) 
o Develops and delivers communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of 
different audiences (Suppliers and the Trading Desk).  
o Uses strategic questioning and provides technical guidance when necessary to uncover implicit 
customer needs, as well as business opportunities and challenges. 

Experience 
• 3-5 years working experience. 
• Previous experience as a Trader, Sourcing Analyst, or Commercial professional in agricultural commodities, chemicals, or agricultural inputs.  
• Strong understanding of the Chinese fertilizer and crop protection markets, including market dynamics, pricing, and international logistics.  
• Previous experience working in China or managing relationships with Chinese suppliers is highly desirable. 

Functional skills  
• Strong communication skills 
• Knowledge of pricing strategies, margin management, and profitability analysis 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Crop Protection, Credit, and Logistics) 
• Strong sense of priorities 
• Problem-solving skills 
• Knowledge of the Services Portfolio (barter solutions and financial tools) 
• Market analysis 
• Critical thinking 
• Strategic mindset 
• Negotiation skills 
• Decisive decision-making 
• Supply Chain Management 

Other skills 
• Action Oriented: Acts proactively to solve problems and connect different functions and stakeholders to drive effective solutions. 
• Drives Results: Consistently deliver results, even under challenging circumstances. Regularly strives for 
exceptional outcomes, continuously sets ambitious personal performance goals, relentlessly pursues 
excellence, and makes meaningful contributions. Demonstrates strong determination and perseverance to complete goals and initiatives in a timely manner.
• Manage Stakeholders: Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders. Provides guidance to help others understand diverse stakeholder requirements and appropriately weigh competing priorities when making decisions. 
• Build Networks: Effectively builds formal and informal networks both inside and outside the organization. Creates connections that help others expand their own networks, shares knowledge of internal and external contacts, and leverages professional networks to stay informed about industry developments and broaden their sphere of influence. 
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of large volumes of complex, and at times contradictory, information in a clear, concise, and impactful way to solve problems effectively. Consistently analyzes complex issues from multiple perspectives, develops a deep understanding of situations, quickly identifies the core issue, and skillfully distinguishes root causes from symptoms. 

Languages:  
• Fluency in English. 
• Fluent or advanced Mandarin (essential for local supplier negotiations and relationship management). 

Additional Information for the job

What We Offer

- A dynamic and stimulating international environment, which embraces diversity, equity and inclusion.

- Learning & development opportunities.

- Competitive compensation and benefits.

- Insurance systems & schemes.

Diversity, Equity & 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.

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.