Grain Merchant

Consolidated Grain and Barge•Waterloo, IN

About The Position

The Grain Merchant is primarily responsible for originating grain purchases from growers while promoting company products and services. The role determines customer requirements, executes contracts and agreements, and resolves customer-related issues. It works with origination staff to maximize commercial and producer origination through team communication and execution, manages assigned accounts, analyzes customer market share and growth or retention opportunities, and contributes commodity market information to support location and regional positions. The position also manages customer information in the CRM and supports facility customers and buying groups.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
Three years of experience in trading, logistics, or a related field.
Diverse knowledge of how the company generates revenue and creates profitability, and an advanced understanding of customers’ businesses and operations.
Knowledge of grain merchandising, facility cost structures, mix and blend analysis, carry, interest, freight, FOB and CIF marketing or sales, and basic facility operations.
Working knowledge of, or ability to learn, contract negotiations and the grain industry.
Basic computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and ability to interact with people at all organizational levels, inside and outside the organization.
Strong decision-making, negotiation, and conflict-management skills.
Contract and customer management skills, including the ability to relay accurate information about contract balances and settlements.
Strong time-management and prioritization skills, with the ability to remain flexible as priorities change.
Ability to take direction, assist where needed, and take on new tasks.
Ability to read and analyze domestic and global industry information.
Ability to work effectively both autonomously and in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in agricultural business.
Prior contract negotiation experience.
Prior grain industry experience.

Responsibilities

Originate grain purchases from growers.
Work with origination staff to maximize commercial and producer origination through team communication and execution.
Conduct annual farm or business visits for all major accounts.
Add new business accounts to manage and service, document new accounts, and track their success.
Work with the manager and others to analyze three-year handle information on assigned producer and commercial accounts to evaluate customer market share and growth or retention.
Identify underperforming accounts and develop a marketing strategy to correct performance.
Execute and manage contracts, including signing and execution of terms, conditions, and delivery.
Review facility and regional profit and loss statements and discuss findings, ideas, and issues with the Facility Manager and Commercial Manager.
Receive inbound calls and assist other buying groups in servicing the facility’s customer base.
Gather, review, and contribute commodity market analysis and information in support of the location or regional position.
Input customer information into the CRM product.
Perform other duties as assigned.