What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head Grain Merchandiser position at W3Global?
About The Job
Head Grain Merchandiser
Position Overview
The Head Grain Merchandiser will oversee all grain buying and selling decisions, develop merchandising strategies, manage risk, and lead a multi-site team. This role requires strong market knowledge, leadership capability, and the ability to execute decisions in a fast-moving environment. Some travel is required.
Key Responsibilities
Required:
Head Grain Merchandiser
Position Overview
The Head Grain Merchandiser will oversee all grain buying and selling decisions, develop merchandising strategies, manage risk, and lead a multi-site team. This role requires strong market knowledge, leadership capability, and the ability to execute decisions in a fast-moving environment. Some travel is required.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all grain merchandising activities, including buying, selling, hedging, and position management.
- Develop and communicate daily/seasonal merchandising strategies.
- Manage and oversee the direct-ship program, ensuring competitive bids and efficient execution.
- Set and adjust DP rates, basis levels, discount schedules, and freight spreads.
- Work closely with farmers, end-users, and commercial partners to maintain strong relationships and optimize margins.
- Identify and source backhauls and freight opportunities to improve logistics efficiency.
- Manage and mentor a merchandising, logistics, and scale team across five operational locations.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, contract integrity, and risk-management procedures.
- Monitor market conditions, futures, spreads, crop quality, and supply-and-demand factors to make informed decisions.
- Coordinate with accounting and operations to ensure accurate settlements and smooth execution.
- Represent the company at industry meetings, customer visits, and vendor engagements (some travel required).
Required:
- 5 years of grain merchandising experience (buying and selling physical grain).
- Strong understanding of futures, basis, spreads, and risk management.
- Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills.
- Leadership experience managing teams or multi-site operations.
- Proficiency in grain accounting/merchandising software.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
- Experience managing direct-ship programs and logistics.
- Familiarity with Indiana grain markets and local farming communities.
- Background in commercial merchandising for elevators or end-users.
- This position is based in either Bluffton, IN or Yoder, IN with regular travel between company locations and customer sites.