Employee Profile

“In our roles, it is very easy to see how we can help our customers thrive by managing risk properly.”

While I have experienced many challenges working for Cargill, it has always been possible to make decisions I am comfortable with and that align with my values, because I share the same values as Cargill. High-caliber and high-performing people are always there to give me support and raise the benchmark of quality, and every Cargill employee can find opportunities to develop and create a lasting contribution. You need to go for it; good things are not simply going to happen on their own. You have to make them happen, and Cargill supports those who make the effort.

Describe your work responsibilities and the importance of your role.

I manage risk for our grain and oilseeds origination business in the Americas, with responsibilities to serve our strategic customers. Origination and trading wheat along the West Coast of the Americas involves managing premiums, futures and derivatives, and freight risk positions. The right market reads and decision-making create value for our customers and for Cargill. The work I do managing the trading analytics team helps add the proper support to risk monitoring and reporting for Cargill and our customers. Actively participating and leading our Cargill Trading Advisory services allows us to leverage our physical business and bring a broader perspective to our business in the region, helping it be more sustainable over the long term.

Describe your day-to-day activities and the skills needed to perform well.

I monitor daily markets’ supply and demand fundamentals and provide technical analyses, and work to meet the needs of our programs and customers. I build game plans for capturing trading revenue opportunities. The execution of these game plans is key for success. Proper and timely communication with trading and marketing teams across Cargill and with strategic customers is vital for achieving our expected goals. I need to have a deep knowledge of origination; supply and demand; regional and worldwide flows; physical, futures and derivatives markets, as well as freight; and customers’ risk profile and risk appetite. I also need to be able to work on and lead various teams to perform well in this role.

Describe your career path. Where did you start and how did you get to where you are today?

Daily markets supply and demand (fundamental) and technical analysis, and the interface with our programs and customers’ needs, build up game plans for capturing trading revenue opportunities. The execution of game plans is key for success. Proper and timely communication with trading and marketing teams across Cargill and with strategic customers are vital for achieving the expected goals. Deepen knowledge in origination; supply and demand; regional and worldwide flows; physical, futures and derivatives (options, OTCs) markets behaviors; freight market; customers risk profile and risk appetite understanding; team work and team leading are some of several skills needed to perform well in this role.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Our day-to-day efforts really matter. In our roles, it is very easy to see how we can help our customers thrive by managing risk properly. It’s also rewarding generating revenues for Cargill when reading the market well, taking the right positions and executing our game plan in a timely way.

Why did you choose to join Cargill and what keeps you here? In other words, how has a career at Cargill helped you to thrive?

As an agronomist engineer, when the opportunity arose to join Cargill, I thought it was a great chance to discover a different side of the business besides of production. I was pleasantly surprised by the world of opportunities in supply chain handling, trading and risk management. I am confident that, in Cargill, people can develop their own way. Mine has been about risk management and developing programs that create value for Cargill and our customers.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career at Cargill like yours?

Be curious. Don’t be afraid of challenges. Develop new services, opportunities and other things that add value. Be resilient, try again and again, take risks, and be bold. Integrity is the foundation of trust, with your team, your friends, your family, and your customers. Set high standards and performance goals, and go for them!

Share an interesting tidbit about yourself such as hobbies, volunteerism, favorite foods or activities, accomplishments inside or outside of work.

I’m a big fan of sports and music. I enjoy both very much and try to expose my family to them and so they can enjoy them as much as I do. They are great bridges for social interaction, and that is always key for everyone’s personal and professional development.