Entry Level Economic Development Jobs in Maryland

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company that handles agricultural commodities and a diverse portfolio of products and businesses. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary 

Drive the successful execution of feed ingredient trading activities while building expertise in agricultural commodity markets. As an Associate Commodity Trader, you will support the buying and selling of corn and wheat byproducts through market analysis, customer and supplier collaboration, contract execution, and logistics coordination. You will work closely with experienced traders, operations teams, and business partners to identify opportunities, manage risk, and ensure accurate execution of commercial transactions. This role is ideal for a motivated professional who is eager to develop trading expertise, strengthen business acumen, and contribute to a fast-paced, market-driven environment while supporting the growth and success of Perdue Agribusiness. 

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$90,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).
In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

• Support the buying and selling of assigned corn and wheat by products by analyzing market activity, customer and supplier needs, pricing inputs, logistics considerations, and margin information. 

• Prepare recommendations and execute approved actions within defined commercial parameters. 

• Maintain working knowledge of assigned byproduct markets, including supply drivers, demand trends, pricing movement, customer applications, transportation constraints, and competitive activity. 

• Summarize insights for senior traders, merchandisers, and leadership review. 

• Serve as secondary commercial contact for designated customers and suppliers by responding to routine inquiries, supporting negotiations, participating in calls and meetings, and escalating commercially sensitive or higher-risk matters with recommended next steps. 

• Support priority product lines and commercial initiatives led by the Director and senior merchandisers through data analysis, position reporting, customer and supplier follow-up, contract coordination, and execution of assigned workstreams. 

• Identify potential business opportunities, pricing concerns, execution risks, or customer service issues by monitoring market activity and account needs. 

• Evaluate available information and recommend appropriate follow-up within established guidance. 

• Execute approved trades, contracts, pricing updates, and related documentation in accordance with internal risk, credit, compliance, and approval guidelines. 

• Verify accuracy and escalate exceptions in a timely manner. 

• Coordinate with logistics, customer service, operations, accounting, and finance to support accurate contract fulfillment from order entry through delivery. 

• Support shipment scheduling, documentation, issue resolution, margin and position reporting. 

• Represent the company at selected industry meetings, conferences, and customer and supplier visits alongside senior team members to support relationship development, market learning, and assigned commercial objectives. 

• Contribute to a collaborative, performance-oriented culture by communicating clearly, following through on commitments, improving execution processes, and building the technical and commercial capabilities expected of an entry-level professional trader. 

• Perform additional responsibilities and development-focused assignments as needed, consistent with the role's P1 scope, established approval limits, and developing professional expertise. 

Minimum Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field. 

• 1-2 years of experience in physical commodity merchandising, trading support, agricultural feed ingredients, supply chain, procurement, logistics, finance, or a related commercial environment. 

• Working knowledge of cash and physical agricultural commodity markets, with emphasis on corn and wheat byproducts such as corn gluten feed, wheat midds, and hominy. 

• Ability to interpret supply drivers, pricing fundamentals, customer applications, and basic margin impacts. 

• Ability to analyze market, customer, supplier, logistics, and position information to support buying and selling recommendations within defined commercial parameters and established risk guidelines. 

• Ability to evaluate customer and supplier needs, identify routine-to-moderately complex trade considerations, and escalate pricing, margin, credit, or execution issues with appropriate context and recommended next steps. 

• Working knowledge of contract execution, order fulfillment, truck and rail logistics, documentation, and cross-functional coordination required to support accurate movement from contract through delivery. 

• Negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills to interact with customers, vendors, logistics providers, operations, finance, and internal commercial leaders as a secondary commercial contract. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, ERP systems, and market data tools to maintain reports, monitor positions, evaluate pricing and margin information, and support commercial analysis. 

• Ability to participate in customer meetings, supplier discussions, internal strategy reviews, and industry events to build market knowledge and support assigned product-line execution. 

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors 

• Work in both office and field environments requiring domestic business travel to customer and supplier sites, production locations, and industry events. 

• Frequently use standard office equipment, digital communication tools, ERP systems, spreadsheets, and market data resources. 

• Frequently interact with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, logistics providers, operations, finance, customer service, and commercial leadership. 

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Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.