Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers Jobs Near Me in Illinois

The Merchant & Sales Consultant develops long-term business relationships with current and prospective farmer-customers and helps growerss make informed grain marketing and delivery decisions. This position spends significant time face-to-face with farmers on their farms and at Premier locations, learning each operation and building practical solutions around marketing goals, risk preferences, and logistics. This role will also connect farmer needs with Premier’s merchandising and operational teams to support grain flow, customer service, and profitable growth. Premier views this role as a self-starter that can motivate their self, while also taking direction from management. It is expected that the Merchant and Sales Consultant will be the spearhead for any technology, tool, and program that Premier is currently offering or will be offering in the future. Prior grain-industry experience is not required; Premier is seeking a driven, curious, and adaptable individual who is eager to learn and grow.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer relationships and growth. Develop trusted, long-term relationships with existing customers and proactively identify and contact prospective customers. Create consistent activity, follow through on commitments, and earn additional business by demonstrating value.
Understand the farmer. Learn each customer’s operation, goals, concerns, crop plans, risk preferences, marketing approach, and delivery capabilities. Maintain accurate and useful customer records to support thoughtful follow-up and individualized solutions
Contribute to Premier’s sales strategy. Participate in business planning, prospecting efforts, customer events, grower meetings, presentations, and other sales and marketing initiatives.
Educate and Support. Staying up to date on education is important, no matter the topic. It is crucial that this role supports both customers and fellow employees in a variety of different areas whether that is technology at Premier, Premier grain marketing tools, products, and services offered.
Support logistical needs. Work with merchandising, operations, and customers to understand expected deliveries, facility capacity, transportation needs, and market opportunities. Help direct grain to the right market while supporting the customer’s needs
Communicate market and grower information. Share relevant farmer trends, marketing intentions, crop conditions, delivery plans, customer concerns, and competitive activity with the appropriate Premier employees.
Other duties. Perform other responsibilities as assigned and contribute wherever needed to support Premier’s customers and team.
WHAT PREMIER IS LOOKING FOR
- Drive and growth mindset. Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and eager to build relationships, create opportunities, and grow professionally.
- Adaptability. Comfortable adjusting to changing grain markets, technology, customer expectations, weather conditions, operational needs, and the broader agricultural landscape.
- Curiosity and willingness to learn. Interested in production agriculture, grain merchandising, risk management, logistics, and the business of farming; willing to ask questions and learn from others.
- Communication and listening. Able to build rapport, ask thoughtful questions, explain information clearly, and listen for the farmer’s real needs.
- Coachability. Receives feedback well, applies it, and changes approach when needed.
- Ownership and follow-through. Organized, dependable, disciplined with records and customer follow-up, and able to manage priorities with limited supervision.
- Team-first approach. Works effectively across departments and locations and is willing to help outside normal responsibilities when the business or customer requires it.
- Sound judgment. Uses practical problem solving, protects customer trust, and represents Premier professionally.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Prior grain-industry experience is not required. Premier will provide training for the right candidate.
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, business, marketing, or a related field is preferred but not required. Equivalent experience and demonstrated ability will be considered.
- Experience in sales, customer service, business development, agriculture, or relationship-based work is helpful but not required.
- Basic computer skills is required, but ability to adapt with ever-changing technology is also expected.
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel locally are required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULE
- Work is performed in the office or out on the customer farm. Local driving is expected.
- The position requires flexibility during harvest, customer events, and other peak business periods. Some early morning, evening, or weekend work may be needed.
- All work must be performed in accordance with Premier safety policies and applicable procedures.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- Builds credibility and strong relationships with customers and coworkers.
- Creates consistent prospecting and customer-contact activity that leads to measurable growth.
- Learns Premier’s grain marketing tools, operational constraints, technology, and processes and applies that knowledge effectively.
- Provides reliable customer follow-up and accurate internal communication.
- Adapts quickly to markets, logistics, technology, and customer needs.
- Contributes to team goals, grain-flow planning, customer retention, and profitable growth.

Merchant and Sales Consultant

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Freelance Farmer

Vice President/Senior Director of Agriculture, Business Development

Merchant and Sales Consultant in Sidney, Illinois at Premier Cooperative

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