Smart Commodity Trading:
The Power of Custom Dashboards
Research
Persona
Dashboard Design
Tools Used
My Role
NutriGlobal
NutriGlobal, a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world's premier agricultural origination and processing company, sought to enhance its trading operations by developing a detailed persona of a commodity trader.
The goal was to create a comprehensive dashboard tailored to the specific needs and functionalities critical to commodity traders.
The Challenge
NutriGlobal commodity traders faced significant challenges due to the complex and dynamic market landscape. Traders needed a centralized platform to access real-time data, perform detailed analysis, and manage risks effectively. Without such a platform, traders were often bogged down by fragmented data sources and inefficient processes, leading to missed opportunities and increased stress.
Methodology
To achieve this, I conducted interviews with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and used Miro boards to brainstorm and gather essential insights. The process involved the following steps:
Interviews
Interviewed key stakeholders, including experienced commodity traders, trading managers, to understand the daily challenges, tools, and information critical to their roles.
Identifying Key Funtionalities
Using Miro boards, collaborated with SMEs to visualize and organize the gathered information, identifying the functionalities and features most important for a commodity trader.
Persona Development
Using Miro boards, collaborated with SMEs to visualize and organize the gathered information, identifying the functionalities and features most important for a commodity trader.
Alex Tan
38, Commodity Trader
USA
Alex is an experienced agricultural commodities trader specializing in nutrition ingredients, with a degree in Agricultural Economics
Skills and Attributes:
-
Deep knowledge of agricultural commodities and regulatory frameworks.
-
Strong analytical mindset with exceptional communication abilities.
-
Proficient in utilizing commodity trading and risk management tools.
-
Demonstrated ability to make swift, informed decisions in dynamic market environments.
Goals
-
Enhance profitability through strategic purchasing, sales, and market diversification.
-
Oversee seamless supply chain management, encompassing logistics, delivery, and financial operations.
-
Expand supplier partnerships and secure early access to innovative nutritional components.
-
Optimize inventory management by refining forecasting methodologies and minimizing waste.
Needs
-
Real-time market intelligence and advanced analytical capabilities.
-
Sophisticated trading software and flexible purchasing methodologies to adapt to market fluctuations.
-
Robust communication platforms to coordinate with suppliers, production, and quality assurance teams.
-
Up-to-date knowledge of food safety standards and emerging nutritional trends in both human and pet sectors.
Pain Points
-
Navigating fluctuating commodity prices to ensure consistent ingredient quality while maintaining competitive pricing.
-
Responding to rapidly changing consumer preferences in both human and pet nutrition sectors.
-
Maintaining cost-efficiency while adhering to sustainable sourcing practices.
-
Accurately anticipating market demand fluctuations due to economic and consumer uncertainties.
Opportunities
-
Utilize big data and AI to enhance market forecasting and risk evaluation.
-
Implement blockchain technology to improve product traceability and accountability.
-
Streamline processes by integrating trading, logistics, and financial systems into a unified platform.
-
Foster agility through flexible procurement and intelligent inventory management to adapt to market fluctuations and reduce costs.
Dashboard Design
Leveraging the persona, I designed a dashboard that incorporated all the necessary functionalities and tools to support the traders in their daily operations.
.png)
Effective inventory management is essential for optimizing profitability. This section offers a clear overview of the company's commodity inventory levels. By monitoring inventory closely, traders can make informed decisions to minimize holding costs and capitalize on market opportunities.
Real-time visibility into shipments is critical for smooth operations. This section provides shipment information, including incoterms, enabling traders to monitor the status of goods in transit and anticipate potential disruptions.
This section presents a consolidated view of the trader's contract portfolio. Users can monitor the status of ongoing, terminated, and completed contracts, as well as receive early alerts for contracts approaching expiry. This information empowers traders to effectively manage their positions and plan future trades.
The Performance Overview section offers a dynamic view of selected commodity price movements. Users can analyze price trends on a daily, monthly, yearly, or five-year basis. To enhance decision-making, AI-driven data projections are incorporated to forecast potential price movements.
This section provides a comprehensive list of commodities available for trading. Users can easily select the specific commodity they wish to focus on, enabling a tailored analysis.
Staying informed is crucial for successful trading. The Market News section provides a curated feed of the latest industry news relevant to the selected commodity, ensuring traders have access to up-to-date market information.