Grains Research Manager

COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered is Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 11,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.

Job Purpose:
Lead the global grains research function, overseeing fundamental and quantitative analysis of global supply and demand and trade flows across key grain markets, including but not limited to corn, sorghum, wheat, and barley. Manage a geographically diverse team, driving analytical excellence and delivering actionable insights to support global trading strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Market Analysis: Direct and oversee the development of global grains (corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, etc.) supply and demand models, trade flow analysis, and scenario planning.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Partner closely with regional trading teams and the Global Head of Grains Trading to provide timely, data-driven insights and support commercial decision-making.
• Model Development: Guide the creation and enhancement of analytical tools, databases, and forecasting models to improve market understanding and operational efficiency.
• Knowledge Sharing: Drive consistency in analytical methodologies and best practices across regions, fostering knowledge transfer and analytical rigor.
• Strategic Contribution: Support the formation of market views, trade ideas, and risk assessments that contribute directly to profitable trading operations.
• Team Leadership: Manage and develop a high-performing research team (~5 analysts) across multiple regions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and fostering collaboration.
   

Education, Experience, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Econometrics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum 5 years in commodity research or trading, preferably with a focus on grain markets. Experience managing teams across regions is strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Deep understanding of global grain markets, crop cycles, weather impacts, and macroeconomic drivers.
• Excellent analytical and modeling skills, including advanced Excel and database management (VBA, Python or R is a plus).
• Effective communicator with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear, strategic insights.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Fluent in English (written and verbal); other languages are a plus.

COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.   www.cofcointernational.com

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice (https://www.cofcointernational.com/data-privacy-center/global-candidate-privacy-policy/) to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.