Commodities Trainee

**Who is Mother Parkers?**

We are one of the largest tea and coffee manufacturers in North America, with a mission to create a better beverage experience for our customers. As a leading customer solutions provider to some of North America’s largest retailers and foodservice chains, we use state-of-the-art technology and new product innovation to help our customers grow their business and deliver superior products to their clientele. Our team of coffee and tea experts are deeply passionate about what we do, proud of our 100+ years of business success, and excited about building a future with endless possibilities. Come join our team and work among the best, collaborate with high performers, and contribute to challenging work every day

**The Role**:
Our Commodities Procurement team has an exciting opportunity for a business or economics new grad with a keen mindset in trading and world economics to join our Commodities Trainee Program. This is a unique opportunity for you to gain in depth knowledge of coffee and tea, which is the heart of Mother Parkers’ business. You will initially focus on Commodities supply chain and procurement, while also egin to develop your sensory skills to recognize different origin attributes, qualities and common faults found in coffee and/or tea. The program will progress to more involvement across key functions, including commodities inventory management, risk management/futures hedging, and sustainability execution. This program will start you at the core of our very exciting business and offers deep insights and understanding that will promote your growth within the team, or to other areas within the organization.

**What you get to do**:
**Supply Chain**:

- Work with internal and external customers and suppliers to assure optimal commodity inventory levels in the warehouse and plants, balancing short-term & mid-term demand with inventory turn requirements, inform buying team of traffic issues and/or delays and creatively problem solve for lowest cost solutions.
- Provide timely and accurate maintenance/updates of systems data, holding our suppliers accountable for quality of data.

**Quality Assurance/ Sensory**:

- Regular coffee and/or tea ‘cupping’ - tasting and grading the commodity to ensure quality and profile adhere to customer requirements and specifications.

**Commodities Procurement/Risk Management**:

- Participate in regular coffee and tea market updates and assist team to develop procurement strategy.
- Support buyers on forward physical contract negotiation, execution, administration.
- Support Risk Management team on futures execution. Over time, understand what drives the futures market and its implications to the physical market. Assist in developing market presentations for internal and external customers.
- Develop relationships with global trade partners to facilitate market information exchange.
- Support buyers with inventory management and associated negotiations with importers.
- Participate in ideating and executing cost savings and growth initiatives.

**Sustainability**:

- Ensure purchases comply with all sustainability requirements.
- Understand the intricacies of each sustainability option to make informed buying decisions.

**What you bring to the role**:

- Post-Secondary education in Business and at least 1 year of relevant work experience in a Supply Chain, Risk Management, or Procurement role.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to operate independently and take initiative with mínimal supervision.
- Proactive at solving problems, detail oriented and highly organized.
- Experience operating in a fast paced and changing environment.
- High proficiency with MS Office, in particular Excel.
- Coffee and/or Tea cupping experience is an asset, otherwise willing and able to learn the nuances of coffee cupping and grading.
- Eager, willing and capable to help where needed in a fast-paced customer focused environment.
- A positive attitude and a desire to have fun

**What we offer you**:

- Flex hours and a hybrid work model (2-3 days/week in the office).
- Competitive Total Rewards package - health benefits coverage on day 1, employer matched retirement savings plans, optional Health or Wellness Spending Accounts.
- Employee discount program on our coffee and tea products.
- Tuition Assistance Program - we value continuous learning and self-development.
- Dress for your day - when you’re in the office, come in your jeans, or a business suit if you’re meeting with a client.