Cross Country Grain Merchandiser

SUMMARY 

We are seeking an experienced Cross-Country Grain Merchandiser to join our team. This role is responsible for buying and selling grain commodities in alignment with strategies developed in partnership with the Director of Grain Trading and Vice President of Grain.

The focus of this position is to drive growth by building a diversified book of business in origination, merchandising, and transportation beyond our current market footprint. Success in this role requires grain market expertise, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following reflects essential functions for this position. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary. 

• Collaborate with the Director of Grain Trading and the Vice President of Grain to design and implement a comprehensive cross country grain program.
• Monitor regional grain markets, price trends, and supply/demand fundamentals. Execute trades for commodities across multiple regions. Develop and implement strategies to maximize margins and manage risk.
• Take ownership of building a book of business across all key functions including origination, merchandising, logistics, and risk management. Build and maintain strong relationships with farmers, elevators, dispatchers, and end-users outside of our current market share.
• Coordinate transportation and logistics for grain movement across regions. Manage freight deck and ensure timely pick-up and deliveries.
• Monitor grain risk positions and ensure adherence to company risk management policies. Utilize hedging tools and futures markets to manage company and customer price risk.
• Maintain accurate records of trades, positions, inventories, and settlements. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Work cross-functionally with Grain Accounting, Grain Operations, and Grain Trading Team as needed.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• 5 years of experience in grain trading or commodity markets.
• Strong knowledge of basis trading and grain fundamentals.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills (face-to-face, verbal, written, electronic), with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships. 
• Ability and willingness to work long hours, travel, and be on call, as business conditions warrant. 

CORE COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR THIS POSITION 

• Safety – Maintains a work environment that is safe for everyone. 
• Initiative – Ability to work independently and develop systems.

• Customer Focus – Actively looks for ways to help customers. 

• Integrity – Adheres to moral and ethical principles. 

• Teamwork – Works well with others to achieve a common goal. 

• Financial Accountability – Takes responsibility for the way money and resources are used and managed.

• Innovation – Introduces new ideas, devices, or methods. 

INDIVIDUAL COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR THIS POSITION 

• Positive Outlook - Always displays optimism.  Stays positive and remains upbeat.  Notices and acknowledges things that are going well, especially during stressful times.  Faces problems head-on and will make productive changes to the outcome. 

• Relationship Building - Develops contacts and relationships which are internal and external to the organization and facilitates work efforts or to gain support and cooperation from others. Understands the significance of networking. Shows an interest in what others have to say and acknowledges their perspectives and ideas. Has earned the respect of team members and customers.

• Results Oriented - Balances and satisfies the needs of all employees, customers, and suppliers, as well as those with a financial interest in the organization to achieve excellence. Is driven by the result and wants to do more. Understands and demonstrates that intentions, activities, and results are not the same.  Achieves meaningful results that are in line with the mission and vision of the company.    

• Productivity - Meets or exceeds the expectations that have been established for this position.  Has successfully combined skills, ability and effort to ensure that manager’s expectations related to position results and output are achieved.  

• Dependability - Follows through with commitments and can be counted on to meet deadlines. Comes to work on time as scheduled and is ready for work. Demonstrates a good attendance record and is aware of the impact that missing work will have on the customer as well as co-workers. 

• Personal Accountability for Safety - Behaves in a way that demonstrates Safety as a top priority. Immediately informs a supervisor about any unsafe working conditions. Does not hesitate to address co-workers that engage in unsafe work habits.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR THIS POSITION 

• Standing 

• Walking 

• Sitting 

• Talking 

• Hearing 

• Use of hands  

• Reach with hands and arms 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met in order to perform this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. 

DISCLAIMER 

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, position responsibilities, and required abilities and skills.  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an individual in this position and nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the person holding this position at any time.  Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities expected to meet job standards.