Lumber Trader Trainee

Southern Mississippi Trading, LLC.; Waynesboro (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Bonus opportunities

Stock options

Career advancement within 2-3 years

Job summary

Southern Mississippi Trading is looking for a self-driven Trader Trainee to start on the logistics side and learn the fundamentals of commodity trading on our floor. You'll participate in a structured development program while gaining a broad understanding of how transportation, freight rates, and market dynamics influence deals.

The role offers paid training, with unlimited earning potential, bonuses, and stock options, plus upward mobility within 2–3 years for top performers in a vibrant team

Qualifications

• Self-driven and highly competitive mindset required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects.
• Familiarity with logistics concepts and freight terms.

Responsibilities

• Work within the logistics department to help grow our transportation network and negotiate freight rates with carriers.
• Communicate and collaborate with SMT Traders to resolve challenges or issues that arise in logistics.
• Work closely and network with SMT Traders to learn about our company’s business model.
• Monitor and analyze market trends within the forest product trading industry.
• Start to develop customer relationships by prospecting, cold calling and networking.

Skills

Entrepreneurial mindset

Negotiation

Logistics coordination

Relationship building

Analytical skills

Tools

Excel

Word

Google Docs

Job description

About the job

Southern Mississippi Trading is a premier commodity trading company and significant player in the wood products industry. We offer lifelong careers for talented and motivated individuals through the buying and selling of wood products and are looking for a self-driven, highly competitive individual to join our team! Starting out, you will actively participate in our trader trainee development program to gain a comprehensive understanding of our industry, while also becoming equipped with the tools that lead to success on the commodities trading floor. What’s life like as a trader? Challenging, always changing, and fun. At SMT, we are the definition of a work hard - play hard team, who gives motivated people a pathway to become extremely successful. The culture of work/life balance is reflected in the tenure of our traders, averaging around 15 years. We are a company with a thriving social environment, filled with good friends & lots of company events!

Responsibilities in the Trader Trainee role:

• Work within the logistics department to help grow our transportation network and negotiate freight rates with carriers
• Communicate and collaborate with SMT Traders to resolve challenges or issues that arise in logistics
• Work closely and network with SMT Traders to learn about our company’s business model
• Monitor and analyze market trends within the forest product trading industry
• Start to develop a customer relationships by prospecting, cold calling and networking

Compensation:

Paid training program. Followed by unlimited/limitless earning potential + bonus opportunities and employer stock options. Upward mobility within the first 2 -3 years, with the expectation to make high six figures.

Things we look for:

• High energy with an entrepreneur spirit
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and mathematical skills
• Ability to create and embrace long term relationships
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate and interact with all levels of an organization
• Ability to multitask to an exceptional degree
• A strong desire to manage your own business and excel beyond ordinary
• Must be comfortable with Excel, Word, Google Docs—etc