Apply now to Louis Dreyfus Company’s 2026 Graduate Program in Nairobi and build a foundation for a global commodity trading career! Gain hands-on experience across global food value chains and build a foundation for a commercial role in physical commodity trading. With structured training, coaching, and diverse projects, you’ll develop the skills for an exciting international career. Benefit from a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and outstanding career development. Ready to grow?
Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 19,000 people globally.
OUR GRADUATE PROGRAM
Graduate Program trainees will be exposed to the fundamental components of global agriculture and food value chains. Our program is designed to provide a strong basis for a commercial role within the physical commodity business, and to identify and develop talented individuals who have the desire to become active players in the company.
Through a combination of structured training, informal on-the-job learning, regular check-ins and inspiring coaches, participants experience different areas of our business. You will contribute to a variety of projects, building the skills and expertise you need for a diverse, challenging, and exciting career at LDC.
OBJECTIVE & STRUCTURE
Our Graduate Program is designed to launch, support, and accelerate your career. The objective is to help you develop a broad understanding of the company and its diverse activities, and to provide opportunities for you to build your network across several areas.
The Graduate program at LDC is a 3-phase process:
Phase 1 – Build business experience and skills: Graduate Trainee for 18 months
During this period, you will work within one of our products platforms (Coffee, Cotton, Freight, Grains & Oilseeds, or Rice), covering areas on execution, trading and marketing.
In addition to this core training, some graduates will have the opportunity to be involved in projects of Louis Dreyfus Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Louis Dreyfus Group that provides sustainable solutions to smallholder farmers. Such assignment may include research work and field visit(s).
Phase 2 – Moving into a regular role
At the end of this phase, if job performance is high and there is a business need, you will be confirmed in a permanent role.
Being a global company, we offer the opportunity to meet and work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds in a highly motivating environment. Potential positions could include: Junior Trader, Junior Analyst, Junior Marketer, etc.
Phase 3 – Continued support and guidance
After four years, you may be offered new assignments and will continue to receive guidance and support on long-term career choices.
SCOPE OF ROTATIONS
Each rotation will cover different aspects of our global operations such as:
- Execution/Logistics
- Controlling
- Initiation to cash-trading
- Support to traders
YOUR PROFILE
- Bachelor’s / Master’s degree with specialization in Agronomy, Accounting & Finance, Economics and/or Business
- Preferable to have work experience or a summer placement in Commercial environment
- Expected 2 years’ experience; internships/placements in commercial/trading/analytics a plus
- Fluency in English is Essential. Professional working proficiency in another language always appreciated
- International mindset, interest in global markets, agriculture, and trade flows and personal interest in career mobility
- Good understanding of supply-chain risk, trade finance, and physical market dynamics
- Excellent analytical skills, ability to analyze supply, demand and trade flow fundamentals and make sense of market signals
- Strong entrepreneurial / innovative approach to taking initiatives, critical thinking, robust decision making and strong problem-solving
- Strong leadership potential, with distinctive competitive spirit and resilience
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, cross-cultural negotiation skills; collaborative with humility
- Capacity to contribute to and learn from the team, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
What We Offer
We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.
Our Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Hybrid work available (not applicable to all roles)
- Private Pension contributions
- Access to Training and Development
- Access to Concierge Partnerships
- Meals for some employees in the assets
- Transport for employees in the asset facilities
- Private Medical Insurance
- 21 Days leave
- Life Insurance
Diversity & Inclusion
LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.
LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.
Sustainability
Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.
We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us
