Director of Grain Merchandising

SUMMARY:  Provide leadership and direction for Co-Alliance Grain Merchandising.  To direct grain merchandising activities to maximize our employee s efforts in providing our farmer owners a competitive destination for grain and maximize profits.  The role requires leadership, employee mentoring, and includes extensive networking and communicating with key industry personnel and Co-Alliance employees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  The following reflects essential functions for this position.  Senior Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Plan, develop, and implement grain merchandising strategies and tactics, in accordance with Co-Alliance policies and guidelines established through working with the Vice President Grain.
  • Coordinate strategies to align with grain elevator logistics.
  • Coordinate strategies to align with origination efforts, including purchase bids and customer targeting.
  • Maximize margins.
• Create and maintain good working relationships with processors, brokers, advisors, and other people of influence, regarding grain commodities in our territory and industry.
  • Pursue new market opportunities.
  • Promote Co-Alliance as a dependable source of quality grain.
• Manage a departmental staff of 2 Merchandisers, 6 Originators, and 2 Administrative Specialists.
• Create and implement grain origination and merchandising training programs.

• Direct Co-Alliance messaging and communication to farmer owners, including website and other social media commentary.

• Research, develop, and implement risk management strategies and tools for use with our farmer customers.
• Following direction and guidance from Vice President - Grain, develop and implement a Grain Digital Platform.
  • Includes all aspects of working with IT and training appropriate personnel.
  • Monitor use and integrate into origination strategies and tactics.
• Assist in setting and achieving Grain Division financial goals, business objectives, and strategic initiatives, including growth strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations, as it relates to grain trading and merchandising.

QUALIFICATIONS:  The following reflects the qualifications of the ideal candidate.

• Bachelor s degree in agriculture or business.
• 15+ years of related work experience.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, problem solving skills, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate capacity to evaluate and manage risk, along with understanding of how to conduct professional sales/origination calls with customers and prospects.
• Solid understanding of grain basis/futures trading and the application of those to the farmer in production agriculture
• Strong analytical abilities, initiative, and problem-solving skills vital to adapt to a constantly evolving environment
• Early adopter of new technology and ability to lead and influence other target users
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of people, having widely differing abilities and characteristics.
• Ability and willingness to work long hours, and be on call, as business conditions warrant.