Assistant Grain Merchandiser

The Assistant Grain Merchandiser is responsible for supporting the grain team with tasks related to the purchase and sale of grain. This role requires customer service, attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and extensive communication with farmers, end users, grain elevators, and the grain team. The Assistant Grain Merchandiser is hired to gaining skill and expertise in grain merchandising and/or origination.

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

• Cross train with the Director of Grain Trading, Grain Origination Team, and Grain Accounting in order to support all functions of grain merchandising including but not limited to: contract entries and pricings, logistics, grain hedging, contract negotiation and execution, and outbound customer service.
• Provide customer service for our farmer-members both in person and over the phone including accurate and timely grain purchasing and ticket settlements. Build and maintain relationships that make Garden City Co-op a trusted partner in grain marketing.
  • Act as one of the primary points of contact for customers, including resolving issues and complaints.
  • As a member of the Grain Team, participate in enrolling farmer bushels into grain marketing programs.
• Develop market knowledge in order to position and promote Garden City Co-op as the most credible source of grain information. Market knowledge to be developed includes agricultural and commodity markets, local basis, and contracting information. 
• Participate in the planning, development, and implementation of grain trading strategies and tactics, in accordance with Garden City Co-op policies and guidelines established through working with the Grain Vice President, Director of Grain Trading, and Grain Origination Team.
• Maintain account and sales call records.
• Adhere to all safety requirements. 
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal communication skills (face-to-face, verbal, written, electronic), with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to work well within strict time frames.
• Ability and willingness to work long hours, travel, and be on call, as business conditions warrant.

CORE COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR THIS POSITION

• Safety – Maintains a work environment that is safe for everyone.
• Customer Focus – Actively looks for ways to help customers.
• Integrity – Adheres to moral and ethical principles.
• Teamwork – Works well with others to achieve a common goal.
• Initiative – Actively looks for ways to gain knowledge and skills
• Financial Accountability – Takes responsibility for the way money and resources are used and managed.
• Innovation – Introduces new ideas, devices, or methods.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR THIS POSITION

• Positive Outlook - always Displays optimism.  Stays positive and remains 

    upbeat.  Notices and acknowledges things that are going well, especially during 

    stressful times.  Faces problems head on and will make productive changes to 

    the outcome.

• Relationship Building - Develops contacts and relationships which are internal 

    and external to the organization and facilitates work efforts or to gain support 

    and cooperation from others. Understands the significance of networking. Shows 

    an interest in what others have to say and acknowledges their perspectives and 

    ideas. Has earned the respect of team members and customers.

• Results Oriented - Balances and satisfies the needs of all employees, customers, 

and suppliers as well as those with a financial interest in the organization to achieve excellence. Is driven by the result and wants to do more. Understands and demonstrates that intentions, activities, and results are not the same.  Achieves meaningful results that are in line with the mission and vision of the company. 

• Productivity - Meets or exceeds the expectations that have been established for 

    this position.  Has successfully combined skills, ability and effort to ensure 

    that manager’s expectations related to position results and output are achieved. 

• Dependability - Follows through with commitments and can be counted on to                 

    meet deadlines. Comes to work on time as scheduled and is ready for work.       

    Demonstrates a good attendance record and is aware of the impact that missing 

    work will have on the customer as well as co-workers.

• Personal Accountability for Safety - Behaves in a way that demonstrates Safety

    as a top priority.  Immediately informs a supervisor about any unsafe working 

    conditions. Does not hesitate to address co-workers that engage in unsafe work 

    habits. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR THIS POSITION

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Talking
• Hearing
• Use of hands 
• Reach with hands and arms
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
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The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met in order to perform this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

DISCLAIMER

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, position responsibilities, and required abilities and skills.  This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an individual in this position and nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the person holding this position at any time.  Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities expected to meet job standards.