Principal Commodity Analyst, Global Crops

S&P Global; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

S&P Global Commodity Insights seeks a Principal Commodity Analyst to join the Short-Term Crops team, delivering global supply-demand analysis for crops like corn, soybeans, wheat and veg oils, and producing client-focused research.

You will develop forecasting models, work with regional teams, and contribute to cross-commodity market perspectives, with a clear path to owning a market area over time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics, Business, Finance, Agriculture, or a related field.
• PhD in Economics or Agricultural Economics is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support development and maintenance of global supply and demand balance sheets across major agricultural commodities.
• Conduct fundamental market research across global agricultural commodity markets, identifying key trends and translating complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Contribute to market forecasts, balance sheets, and written analysis, assessing implications for supply, demand, trade flows, and commodity prices.
• Support the production of market intelligence through reports, presentations, webinars, and special research projects.
• Assist with client engagement activities, including briefings, ad-hoc analysis, conference participation, and response to client inquiries.
• Monitor developments in crop production, weather, trade policy, biofuels, macroeconomics, and other factors influencing agricultural markets.
• Collaborate with analysts across crops, vegetable oils, biofuels, animal protein, and regional research teams to develop integrated market perspectives.
• Develop and maintain analytical models, databases, and forecasting tools, while continuously improving research methodologies and data processes.

Skills

Agricultural commodities

Forecasting

Data analysis

Communication

Client engagement

Ambiguity handling

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics or related field

PhD in Economics or Agricultural Economics

Tools

Python

R

Power BI

SQL

Job description

About the Role:

Grade Level (for internal use): 10 The Role: Principal Commodity Analyst, Global Crops

The Team:

The Short-term Crops team is part of S&P Global Energy and produces industry-leading, forward-looking research and thought leadership across agricultural markets. Our analysis is relied upon by global producers, traders, processors, refiners, financial institutions, and policymakers to inform commercial, risk management, and strategic decisions. The team operates in a highly collaborative and fast-moving global environment, working closely with colleagues across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. We place a strong emphasis on analytical rigor, intellectual curiosity, and clear communication, with a focus on translating complex market fundamentals into actionable insight for senior decision-makers.

The Principal Commodity Analyst will join the Short-Term Crops team within S&P Global Commodity Insights, supporting research and forecasting across global agricultural commodity markets, including corn, soybeans, wheat, vegetable oils, and related value chains. Working alongside a team of leading commodity analysts and economists, the successful candidate will contribute to supply-and-demand analysis, market forecasting, and client-facing research that informs commercial, financial, and strategic decision-making across the global agricultural sector.

This role is intended for a highly analytical and intellectually curious individual seeking to develop into a future commodity expert. The position provides broad exposure to global crop markets, trade flows, policy developments, weather-driven risks, and cross-commodity dynamics, while offering a clear development path toward ownership of a specific market or research area over time.

The Principal Commodity Analyst will help transform complex market fundamentals into actionable insights through written research, presentations, and direct interaction with clients and industry participants. The role also offers the opportunity to contribute to forecasting models, analytical frameworks, and innovative research methodologies while working collaboratively across regional and commodity-focused teams throughout the organization.

Responsibilities and Impact:

• Support the development and maintenance of global supply and demand balance sheets across major agricultural commodities.
• Conduct fundamental market research across global agricultural commodity markets, identifying key trends and translating complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Contribute to market forecasts, balance sheets, and written analysis, assessing implications for supply, demand, trade flows, and commodity prices.
• Support the production of market intelligence through reports, presentations, webinars, and special research projects.
• Assist with client engagement activities, including briefings, ad-hoc analysis, conference participation, and response to client inquiries.
• Monitor developments in crop production, weather, trade policy, biofuels, macroeconomics, and other factors influencing agricultural markets.
• Collaborate with analysts across crops, vegetable oils, biofuels, animal protein, and regional research teams to develop integrated market perspectives.
• Develop and maintain analytical models, databases, and forecasting tools, while continuously improving research methodologies and data processes.
• Build expertise across multiple commodities and regions, with the opportunity to develop ownership of a specific market over time.

Basic Required Qualifications:

• Proven experience of relevant experience in agricultural commodities research, feed markets, trading, or analytics.
• Experience developing supply-and-demand analysis, trade flows, and commodity price information.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to work with large datasets and build forecasting models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex market dynamics to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Highly curious, analytical mindset with a strong inclination toward root-cause analysis and asking the next question.
• Clear and confident communicator, comfortable presenting to both small and large audiences and handling live Q&A with senior industry participants.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving market environments without needing perfect or complete data.
• Strong ownership mindset and comfortable taking direction, feedback, and challenge in a high-standards environment.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics, Business, Finance, Agriculture, or a related field.
• A PHD in Economics or Agricultural Economics.
• Portuguese or Spanish language skills (spoken and/or written) will be a plus but not mandatory.
• Experience covering grains, oilseeds, or protein meal markets.
• Working knowledge of Python, R, Power BI, SQL, or other analytical tools.
• Prior client-facing experience in research, consulting, or advisory