Senior Originator

Scoular•Waverly, IL

About The Position

The Senior Originator role is a buyer position responsible for purchasing sunflower and flax commodities from producer customers and maintaining and enhancing grower relationships. This role will strive to drive cost efficiency in purchasing decisions, utilize and enhance marketing services to producers, accurately purchase the correct commodity specifications to contribute to market share gains. Originators contribute to the daily operations and provide support for the department to maximize efficiencies that will directly contribute to the profitability of Scoular by working collaboratively with the purchasing team. This role will partner closely with the logistics team, accounting team, merchandisers and facility/plant staff.

Requirements

4+ years origination experience (farm grain buying experience would also be relevant).
College degree in business related field or equivalent experience.
Ability to make grain deals independently.
Strong problem solving and troubleshooting concerns with grain quality.
Strong ability to create and maintain strong relationships.
Exceptional customer service skills and relationship building capability.
Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment.
Highly skilled in problem solving techniques.
Highly organized and detail oriented.
Ability to travel, as needed. Up to 50% of time.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the agricultural industry’s origination standards and procedures.
Demonstrated aptitude in accounting and financial practices and procedures.

Responsibilities

Make buying decisions and develop strong working relationships with producers.
Partner with merchandising team to plan, develop and implement purchasing strategies and tactics.
Knowledgeable of Scoular's risk management tools and digital interaction tools.
Understand local producer trends and communicate updates and insights to broader team.
Manage IP program purchases, and production based purchase contracts.
Execution of purchase contracts with accurate documentation, reconciling balances with customers and ensuring contract compliance.
Proficient in Scoular systems, tools, reports (ScoularView, Power BI, CTRM, Field Direct, LMS etc.).
Awareness and understanding of marketing alternatives and digital tools used to make purchasing decisions, as well as enhance and manage producer relationships.
Ensure customers stay within Scoular Trade Finance’s counter party limits.
Develop an understanding of logistics and supply chain management, truck/rail execution, and commodity arbitrage by assisting the team with logistics planning and strategy and coordinating logistics and transportation for sunflower/flax shipments.
Enhance and leverage relationships with the freight providers.
Grow knowledge of systems and procedures that document and support executions.
Maintain strong working relationships with farm producers by providing credible and trustworthy marketing services that contributes to the company’s excellent customer service image in the farming community.
Planning producer outreach needs based on the purchase requirement priorities, as well as queries from the system on producers, commodities and target prices.
Identify and develop new relationships with new producers to grow our network.
Participate in crop tours through the assigned management areas.
Interact with customers, express ideas, and share opinions with Scoular team on customer trends and opinions from marketing ideas to planting and crop conditions.
Provide customers with accurate market information and answers to questions about their business transactions.
Participate in industry relevant trades shows by arranging a booth when applicable, working the Trade Shows and Producer Meetings as well as other industry functions.