Merchandise Manager

**MUST BE OPEN TO ONSITE/RELOCATING IF NEEDED

About the Company - In this essential role, you will be responsible for managing grain origination and trading activities, with a particular focus on identity-preserved non-GMO grain. You’ll also execute hedging strategies and oversee the merchandising P&L for the company's grain elevator.

About the Role - Conduct commodity trading and other related activities to maximize company profits. Oversee cash grain transactions, physical exchanges, and hedge executions. Manage order processing for risk positions and perform cost analysis scenarios. Respond to customer inquiries regarding grades, accounting, bids, contract status, and more, ensuring satisfaction. Foster and maintain strong relationships with elevators, farmers, and feed mills, exceeding customer goals and expectations. Communicate and share business information with plants and other facilities. Provide timely, accurate updates on changing crop and market conditions to managers. Assist in maintaining production and supply/demand analysis for U.S. corn.

Also, collaborate with accounting teams to ensure smooth communication. Work closely with operations teams to ensure the receipt of high-quality grain and proper grain quality management within facilities. Identify market opportunities to present to plant management, enhancing profitability. Provide market intelligence to optimize operational efficiencies. Maintain and manage the grain warehouse license and fulfill associated state requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct commodity trading and other related activities to maximize company profits.
• Oversee cash grain transactions, physical exchanges, and hedge executions.
• Manage order processing for risk positions and perform cost analysis scenarios.
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding grades, accounting, bids, contract status, and more, ensuring satisfaction.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with elevators, farmers, and feed mills, exceeding customer goals and expectations.
• Communicate and share business information with plants and other facilities.
• Provide timely, accurate updates on changing crop and market conditions to managers.
• Assist in maintaining production and supply/demand analysis for U.S. corn.
• Collaborate with accounting teams to ensure smooth communication.
• Work closely with operations teams to ensure the receipt of high-quality grain and proper grain quality management within facilities.
• Identify market opportunities to present to plant management, enhancing profitability.
• Provide market intelligence to optimize operational efficiencies.
• Maintain and manage the grain warehouse license and fulfill associated state requirements.

Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, Business, Finance, or a related field.

Required Skills

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in business economics, ag-business, or commodity trading, with a proven analytical background.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and Power BI; experience with market analysis tools is a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A solid understanding of accounting principles, market values, pricing, and margin factors is highly desirable.
• Sales experience is a plus.
• Negotiation expertise and knowledge of cash commodity trading and the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) is highly valued.