What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grain Merchant position at COLUMBIA GRAIN?
Job Title: Grain Merchant
Department: Merchandising
Reports To: Vice-President, Grain Division
Columbia Grain International, LLC is a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds, and organics for domestic and worldwide export markets. Our vertically integrated company is headquartered in Portland, OR, and we own and operate over 60 facilities, including grain elevators and pulse processing plants across WA, ID, MT, NE, and ND.
At all levels of our organization, our employees are some of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the industry. We've spent over 40 years cultivating lasting partnerships with a wide network of producers and the local communities surrounding our facilities, which enables us to source the highest quality product to fulfill our mission of feeding the world.
Position Description
The Grain Merchant is primarily responsible for buying and selling bulk grain utilizing shuttle freight, DET’s, COT’s, single rail cars and trucks. The Grain Merchant will work with the other members of the team to work toward operational goals while maintaining quality and efficiencies.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Trades major product line commodities for the company rail as a profit/loss center.
- Monitors export and domestic markets and arbitrage opportunities.
- Hedges purchases/sales of commodities through an on-line order entry system.
- Coordinates grain shipments with elevator managers, other merchants and customers.
- Projects freight needs and corresponding coverage in deferred positions.
- Monitors railroad and barge performance, events, tariffs and rail incentive programs.
- Communicates with other company departments, vendors and customers.
- Other duties assigned.
Qualifications:
Skills, Knowledge, Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Business-related or 4 year’s industry experience.
- Strong conceptual and problem-solving skills to evaluate problems and apply knowledge to identify appropriate solutions; ability to resolve issues effectively and efficiently.
- Strong customer service orientation and ability to establish solid working relationships.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and other employees.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact with all levels of management.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptive to successfully achieve the function of the position.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, storage, interest, commissions, ratios and conversions quickly and accurately.
- Good work ethic (team environment, both safe and quality), efficient and willingness to perform all required work with good attendance.
Benefits Offered
- Comprehensive Health, Dental, and RX benefits
- Company paid Life Insurance and Disability
- Flexible Spending Plans
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401K Retirement savings plan
- Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick leave
Successful completion of initial and ongoing employment screens, including but not limited to criminal background and vehicle record as required.
Columbia Grain is an Equal Opportunity Employer