Grain & Co-Products Merchandiser

Green Plains•Madison, IL

About The Position

The Grain and Co-Products Merchandiser develops and executes grain and feed merchandising strategies to optimize plant profitability, strengthen supply chain performance, and build relationships with producers, customers, and industry partners. The role manages grain and related feed coproduct origination, procurement, marketing, and logistics to ensure consistent supply and market competitiveness. It collaborates with plant operations, logistics, and risk management teams to meet commercial and operational objectives aligned with Green Plains’ mission of transforming renewable crops into sustainable value-added ingredients. The position oversees grain origination, procurement, and feed coproduct merchandising for assigned locations; manages market positions, inventory, and price risk; and coordinates transportation, logistics, and contract execution. It provides market information and customer service to producers and buyers, maintains compliant inventory tracking, and works with management and other teams to align merchandising activity with business strategy. The role may support or lead a merchandising team and contribute to continuous improvement in pricing, logistics, and customer service. The job is full-time, Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. It requires some travel to grain facilities, customer locations, and industry events. Compensation is salaried at $70,000–$115,000 annually, with an annual incentive bonus based on company milestones and individual performance. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship and pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or a related field.
3–5 years of experience in grain procurement, merchandising, or feed ingredient trading.
Strong understanding of commodity markets, grain pricing, and hedging tools, including CBOT.
Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn new software applications.
Excellent organizational and communication abilities, with a strong sense of urgency and attention to detail.
Ability to build strong professional relationships and work effectively in diverse teams.
Demonstrated leadership, business acumen, and sound judgment in assessing opportunities and risk.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to perform frequent sitting, standing, computer, and phone use, and occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs.
Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis and maintain ongoing work authorization without employer sponsorship.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Nice To Haves

Experience with physical agricultural trading, transportation, or arbitrage is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement marketing strategies for grain origination and feed merchandising that support profitability and risk-balanced performance.
Monitor and analyze market trends, USDA reports, and CBOT data to guide buying, selling, and position management decisions.
Manage forward positions, inventory levels, and price risk to maximize margins and reduce exposure.
Provide customers and suppliers with timely market information, pricing opportunities, and risk management support.
Oversee grain origination, procurement, and feed coproduct merchandising for assigned locations.
Ensure consistent, cost-effective grain supply to plant operations while meeting quality and grading standards.
Develop relationships with producers, suppliers, integrators, and end-users.
Coordinate trading, logistics, and contract execution between plants and corporate merchandising teams.
Support merchandising of DDGS, MDGS, WDGS, Corn Fermented Protein, and related feed ingredients.
Coordinate transportation and logistics for timely delivery of grain and coproducts.
Maintain compliant and efficient inventory tracking systems consistent with internal and regulatory requirements.
Manage day-to-day merchandising and logistics operations in alignment with corporate and local plant objectives.
Build and maintain relationships with local producers, customers, and integrators.
Serve as a primary contact for producers and buyers regarding contracts, deliveries, and market insights, providing exceptional customer service.
Represent Green Plains professionally in community and customer interactions.
Collaborate with management, operations, and risk teams to align merchandising activity with business strategy.
Support and potentially lead a merchandising team responsible for multiple products and market areas.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to pricing, logistics, and customer service.

Benefits

Annual bonus based on company milestones and individual performance, as determined by the Company.
Competitive pay.
Business casual work environment.
Health insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid holidays.
Paid Time Off (PTO).
401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting and company safe harbor matching.