Grain Merchandiser at Ag Plus – South Whitley, Indiana

Summary: The Grain Merchandiser works with the VP of Grain to manage the cash grain business for Ag Plus, provide marketing programs, and logistic controls to help achieve Ag Plus’s Grain Department mission and goals, which result in outstanding customer service and a profitable Grain Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Supports Ag Plus’s stated Vision, Mission, and Business Values.

Projects a positive attitude to customers and employees at all times.

Provides outstanding and courteous customer service.

Read and follow company employee policies.

Assist in managing the risk of the overall grain inventory and cash grain position to maximize profitability for Ag Plus.

Assists in the origination and purchase of producer grain from the farm to Ag Plus’s grain locations or delivery points by developing producer relationships.

The Grain Merchandiser will be expected to conduct a combination of producer visits on the farm and at Ag Plus grain locations to purchase producer grain and to discover supply intelligence for the market area.

The Grain Merchandiser will assist farmer producers in the development of their grain marketing programs, with an emphasis on the education of producers using grain options strategies in their marketing plan.

Assist in the coordination of all the grain department's logistics and operations that includes truck and rail movements.

Assist in cash flow projections, storage plans and budget support for the grain department.

Supports the grain department policies and accounting functions. While adhering to the controls of the department and company as per the Authorized Grain Position Policy.

Support and develop strong communications with all Ag Plus Divisions, and Branch Location Managers, and all customers, which enhance grain origination for Ag Plus. This includes conducting regular producer informational meetings.

Maintain a working knowledge of futures spreads and evaluate how changes in spread movement impact profitability.

Performs other activities as directed by the VP of Grain of Ag Plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no employee supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree (B. S.) from four-year college or university; or six years or more related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum of 1 year of merchandising in at least 3 different markets, with increasing levels of responsibilities.

Minimum 3 years working in an elevator in operations, with increasing levels of responsibilities, may be in conjunction with merchandising.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Competencies

Leadership and Managerial

Functional

Foundational

Planning / Organizing

Business Acumen

Judgment

Adaptability

Professionalism

Customer service

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of accounting software; Database software; Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid driver's license

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually very quiet.