Lumber Trading Trainee

At Collins, we are committed to building a better world. As a family-owned company founded in 1855, this begins with our commitment to land and resource stewardship on our 370 thousand acres of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forest lands. With operations in California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, we manufacture softwood and hardwood lumber, particleboard, and hardboard siding.

Position Summary:

The Lumber Trader Trainee develops the skills needed to succeed on the trading floor by learning sales techniques, commodity market analysis, business planning, transportation and logistics, tree species, and more.The Trainee hones the ability to build relationships and establish trust, creates an individual sales style, and builds a 'book of business' by prospecting new customers and suppliers.The Trainee is encouraged to take any opportunity to recommend up-and-coming wood products.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Follow developments in the lumber commodity market. Check and update relevant market parameters.
• Contact domestic suppliers for commodity pricing and appraise offerings to fulfill specific customer needs.
• Build and maintain rapport with suppliers, customer, prospects, team members, and other pivotal contacts.
  • Contact customers with offerings.
  • Negotiate prices between suppliers and customers for purchase of sale.
  • Communicate terms of sale to suppliers and customers.
  • Provide continuous customer service and monitoring of active deals.
• Send orders to Logistics Department.
  • Confirm logistics and timelines.
  • Ensure all logistics are completed and deadlines are met.
  • Troubleshoot transportation issues as required by working with trucking companies and Logistic Coordinators.
• Obtain approval from COO regarding bringing on new customers and regarding short and long positions.
• Provide resolutions to issues regarding product quality.
• Liaise with buyers regarding credit issues as required.
• Attend trade shows as appropriate.
• Expand trading tools to improve efficiencies.
• Prospect for new business by reviewing directories, talking to suppliers/customers, and performing market research.
• Check closed files for accuracy.
• Perform additional duties as required by supervisor.
• On-site attendance is essential to effectively perform the listed duties and responsibilities.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to build rapport and relationships easily.
• Enthusiasm to expand knowledge beyond current expertise; willingness to step outside comfort zone.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills; ability to think creatively and find innovative solutions to complex problems.
• High level of personal integrity and ethical and professional standards.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
• Self-starter and results-oriented mentality.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, mathematics, or related field or experience.
• Experience in sales preferred.
• Proficient in Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.

This is an entry level training position.$55,000-$65,000 DOE for the first year and then will move into a commissioned position.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)