Protein, Energy & Co-Products Merchant

At Ridley, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and respected. For over 30 years, Ridley has been a cornerstone of Australian agriculture, committed to delivering high-quality products while cultivating a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Our Merchandising team plays a pivotal role in sourcing and managing risks associated with procurement and supply of feed ingredients, ensuring customer satisfaction and our competitive edge in the industry.

What's on offer?

We are looking for a dynamic and proactive Protein, Energy and Co-product Merchant to join our Merchandising team. This role will primarily be responsible for managing Ridley AgriProducts’ co-products books. The main areas of responsibility include:

• A focus on animal protein and co-products.
• Procuring and trading proteins, energy and/or co-products for use in Ridley’s mills and sale to our Ridley Direct customers.
• Direct management of the purchasing, selling, pricing and risk management of protein, energy & co-products books (with a focus on animal proteins).
• On-cost customer account management.

At Ridley, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment. We offer opportunities for professional growth and development, supported by our strong values and strategic focus.

Key Accountabilities:

• Optimize commodity and raw material purchases from suppliers, ensuring quality, reliability, and timely sourcing.
• Continuously improve sourcing strategies across the entire supply chain to unlock value.
• Report and manage trading risks while adhering to Ridley’s risk management policies.
• Provide data support for commodity and raw material purchases for Ridley mills and customers.
• Ensure all purchase and sales contracts meet agreed standards to support business objectives.
• Provide logistical support and direction to the Replenishment team for executing contracts.
• Contribute timely and accurate market intelligence, including trends, prices, and industry activities, to Merchandising and Sales teams.
• Ensure commodities are available for sale through Ridley Direct.
• Identify supply chain efficiencies to reduce costs via arbitrage opportunities.
• Manage exposure to commodity price movements and their impact on sales by applying sound risk management strategies.
• Assess and manage supplier risks, including capability, reliability, financial capacity, and price competitiveness.
• Collaborate across operations, nutrition, and sales teams regarding raw material availability, pricing, and supply.

 Key Skills and Attributes:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in merchandising/trading agricultural commodities.
• Tertiary qualifications in agriculture, business, or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of Australian and international agricultural commodity markets.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and data management abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and functions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive, "can-do" attitude.

Desirable:

• Exposure to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Experience in animal protein and/or animal co-product merchandising

Apply Now:

If you are passionate about agriculture, have a knack for building relationships, and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity at Ridley.

To apply please visit https://www.ridley.com.au/careers/ and submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and explaining why you are an ideal fit for this role.

Open to applicants with Australian unrestricted work rights. Ridley is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.