Grain Originator

Keystone Cooperative•Hamilton, MI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will provide leadership and direction for Keystone grain purchasing at the assigned location or territory. The role requires customer service, extensive networking and communication with farmer producers, coordination with grain elevator operations, and collaboration with fellow grain division team members.

Requirements

Understanding of grain business, including basic merchandising, and local market analysis
Strong interpersonal communication skills (face-to-face, verbal, written, electronic), with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships
Demonstrated ability to plan and implement a variety of on-farm sales calls
Excellent organization skills and ability to work well within strict time frames
Solid understanding of grain basis/futures trading and the application of those to the farmer in production agriculture
Ability and willingness to work long hours, travel, and be on call, as business conditions warrant

Responsibilities

Plan, develop, and implement grain purchasing strategies and tactics, in accordance with Keystone policies and guidelines established through working with the Director of Grain Merchandising
Coordinate strategies and tactics to align with grain elevator logistics
Coordinate strategies and tactics to align sales efforts
Maximize margins by interacting at all levels of a customer’s operation, gain in depth knowledge and insight to the customer’s goals, drivers, and initiatives, to align origination tactics with customer marketing plans
Target customer approach
Professional on-farm sales calls
Recommend risk management strategies and products
As part of a total farm approach to marketing, build a working relationship with agronomic sales team members
Participate in sales calls with agronomy sales team members
Support agronomic sales efforts
Maintain a futures position for assigned location or territory, regarding routine hedge needs
Maintain account and sales call records, including customer profiles.
Gather information regarding local competition and communicate to the appropriate stakeholders
Position and promote Keystone as the most credible source of grain information
Explain agricultural markets, local basis, and contracts to our farmer customers
Participate in informative farmer meetings
Provide customer service and act as one of the primary points of contact for customers
Adhere to all safety requirements
Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations