COMMODITIES MERCHANDISER (Architecture)
At KENT Worldwide™, growth drives everything we do — from expanding global food production to advancing animal nutrition and pet product innovation. With 2,000 dedicated employees across 60 countries, we're committed to quality, science, and long-term impact. For over 90 years, our people have led the way in delivering smarter solutions for a growing planet. Let's grow together! In this role, you'll manage commodity origination and feed ingredient logistics while gaining hands-on experience in risk management. Build lasting relationships with vendors and customers, and be part of a team that values trust, innovation, and excellence.
- This role will be based in Muscatine, Iowa.
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 required
- 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 the 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 defective, short, 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, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business, Supply Chain Management, Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field
- A minimum of 2 years' experience working with agricultural commodities
- 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)
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
