Sales & Trading Sr. Associate

Company Profile

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is an integrated global trading company active in a range of commercial ventures. It imports and exports raw materials, and goods and has diversified activities in businesses throughout the Americas. These activities include investments and financing, coordination and operation of urban and industrial infrastructure projects, providing transportation and logistics services, developing natural resources, distribution of steel and other products, and developing and managing real estate. SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation (SC), one of Japan's major integrated trading and investment business enterprises with operations in a wide array of businesses, organized into seven industry focused segments, Energy, Automotive, Social Infrastructure, Agri-Food & Life Science, Construction & Transportation, Real Estate, Mineral Resources, and Energy Innovation Initiatives. Visit www.sumitomocorp.com and www.sumitomocorp.com/en/us/scoa for more information.

Sales & Trading Sr. Associate ($74,000 - $89,000)

Job Summary:

The Sales & Trading Sr. Associate is responsible for assisting the Head of Sales and Procurement to maximize sales volume and margin growth for targeted customers/clients within North America, continue to develop SCOA’s supply chain utilizing their network of contacts, and to support the trading activities of the Meat Unit by taking on some administrative functions. The incumbent acts within the scope of the corporate mission statement and policy adherence to accomplish and deliver sales goals established by the Head of Sales and Procurement.

Knowledge of international trade and meat products, as well as an established network of protein suppliers and customers in the food industry, will ensure your success. The Sales & Trading Sr. Associate will be responsible for a balance of procurement and sales of protein products, for market analysis to determine customer needs, and price schedules, and for working with logistics providers, warehouses, and other supply chain partners to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

The Sales & Trading Sr. Associate interacts with business management and supply planning teams and is responsible for preparing documentation, coordinating deliveries with the Head of Sales and Procurement, and extensive record keeping.

Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Execute logistics functions including entering vessel details, managing arrival notices, completing the Importer Security Filing, updating buyers on orders, scheduling releases with cold storage, handling delivery documents, and processing customs broker, warehouse, and other vendor invoices.  
• Oversee import and FOB shipment processes, including creating files, assigning purchase orders, processing payments, verifying shipping documents, and ensuring timely delivery and documentation for customers and suppliers.
• Facilitate customer and vendor onboarding by collecting necessary information, entering applications into relevant systems, and providing required documents such as W-9 and Tax Exempt forms.
• Coordinate and process credit applications by gathering financial information, communicating with the credit team, requesting reports, and ensuring timely completion within internal systems.
• Win new business accounts through trade and expand market penetration for the assigned channels.
• Proactively identify and source protein products from suppliers to meet client demand.
• Collaborate with suppliers to negotiate pricing, contracts, and delivery terms.
• Fiscal accountability to work within the assigned budget.
• Collaborates with the Head of Sales and Procurement in developing the annual sales plan and budget; implements tactical planning related to the strategic growth plans and objectives of the sales channel.
• Provide reports as directed, which include monthly business and project status updates, sales activity and volume reports, forecasts, and pricing analysis reports.
• Analyze changes in market dynamics and use data to adapt strategies as necessary to achieve increased sales volume and margin growth.
• Establish and maintain productive long-term relationships with both internal and external decision-makers within all functions and levels for key customers/clients.
• Responsible for managing assigned projects and presentations in conjunction with the Business management team; work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and operations to achieve results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Specific Knowledge/ Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of meat products – comfort and knowledge of product attributes.
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft software, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication skills.
• High written and verbal communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, problem solving, and adaptability.
• Must have exceptional math skills
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Education, Certification, and Experience

<Required>

• Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years’ relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2-3 years of experience in Meat (protein) industry.

<Preferred>

• SAP experience.

Physical Requirements

• May travel for business up to 25% of the time (domestically and internationally).
• There is no visa sponsorship provided for this position.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Sumitomo are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Sumitomo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.