Louis Dreyfus Company, a privately held firm involved primarily in the international trading and merchandising of agricultural commodities, is looking for a Coffee Junior Merchant to join the team in the Wilton, Connecticut Office. This position is responsible for the purchasing and sale of Green Coffee to dealers, roasters and retailers in the U.S. and Canada for the Specialty Coffee Division.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Manages Green Coffee sales to roaster/retailers, with particular focus on new customer development.
• Coordinates sourcing of Green Coffee from suppliers and other trade partners.
• Arranges offering samples, enters sales contracts, and follows through on execution and collections.
• Performs sensory and physical quality analysis of Green Coffee purchases.
• Assists customers with identifying new coffees and blends.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Executes client futures orders, maintains hedge position, measures MTM and credit exposure limits.
• Coordinates client visits, and trade shows, volunteers with industry groups such as SCAA, Roaster Guild, CQI, etc.
• Monitors developments within industry, including new competitors, customers and other trends.
• Performs basic supply demand analysis, assists research efforts in determining demand patterns.

Required Skills

The following are the required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Business, or related subject.
• Knowledge of coffee production, processing, and export logistics
• Familiarity with programs such as Fair Trade, Organic, among others and their relevance in the coffee market
• Basic understanding of futures market fundamentals
• Knowledge of all aspects of specialty coffee – (allied areas)
• Knowledge of and interest in coffee quality characteristics
• Strong organizational skills
• Detail-oriented and sales orientation
• Proficiency with MS Word/Excel
• Strong verbal and written communication skillsThe following is the preferred qualification:
• Ability to operate coffee roasters and grinders

Required Experience

The following is the required qualification:

• A genuine interest and enthusiasm for Coffee and for trading.

The following are the preferred qualification:

• One to Three years (plus) of experience in coffee industry
• Experience or interest in sales and marketing, client development
• Experience roasting and cupping coffee, quality analysis

Working Conditions

• A typical climate-controlled office environment
• Extension of regular working hours is occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects (especially during month-end and year-end closes), attend training or to respond to emergencies.
• Works in a sample room with noisy machinery approximately half of workday, may stand and perform repetitive motions for prolonged periods of time, requires drinking coffee.
• Follows up with vendors through weekly phone calls.
• Occasional domestic and/or international travel.

Job Location
Wilton, Connecticut, United States

Position Type
Full-Time/Regular

Louis Dreyfus Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and strongly supports workforce diversity.