Grain Merchandiser

The Grain Merchandiser is responsible for buying and selling grain to maximize margins while managing risk. This role partners with the Vice President of Grain and Grain Trading Team to develop and execute merchandising strategies, build strong producer and commercial relationships, and ensure efficient grain movement through effective market positioning and logistics coordination. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Collaborate with the Vice President of Grain and Grain Trading Team to develop and execute grain merchandising strategies. 
• Monitor regional grain markets, price trends, and supply/demand fundamentals, execute trades for commodities to maximize margins and manage risk.
• Develop and maintain strong business relationships with our farmer-owners and commercial customers. Communicate market opportunities and pricing strategies to customers. Negotiate sales contracts and pricing terms, identify arbitrage and margin opportunities.
• Manage hedge positions and grain ownership risk. Monitor position exposure (futures, basis, spreads) and proactively adjust merchandising strategies.
• Work cross-functionally and maintain strong communication with Grain Accounting, Grain Operations, Fleet Manager, and the Grain Trading Team.
• Work with operations team to ensure timely shipment and quality specifications. Track inventory, shipments, and contract fulfillment. Coordinate grain movement via truck and rail.
• Ensure contracts, tickets, and transactions are accurate. Maintain detailed records of trades and customer activity in compliance with applicable policies and procedures. Accurately perform and enter hedges, contract pricing, exchanges, and OTC contracts, as necessary.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• 3 years of grain merchandising experience preferred.
• 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.
• Must possess the skill to learn, understand and apply new technologies. Experience with hedging platforms, accounting software, and trading systems preferred.
• Must have the ability to effectively prioritize, multi-task, manage time, organize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• High degree of perseverance and positive attitude are required.

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 - Displays optimism at all times. 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 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. 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.
• Reliability - 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.