Grain Merchandiser & Originator - Central Commodity FS - Morrisonville, IL

The FS brand represents a standard of excellence for agricultural and energy-related products. It's the people who represent the FS brand that set it apart. As local cooperatives, FS Companies believe it is their responsibility to ensure that our earth, our communities, and businesses perform together, sustainably. FS Companies are committed to ensuring the continued profitability for the company, their owners, and their customers, while enacting to help the environment and greater good.

SALARY RANGE: $60,000-$110,000 / year

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

• Responsible for leading the grain origination program while assisting with the company’s grain merchandising.  Become proficient in the logistics and accounting of grain activities. Provides customer service, marketing, and administrative assistance to the Grain Division Manager and other personnel.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Develops and implements grain origination programs using all viable contracting options.
• Develop a schedule to combine out of the office visits with customers as well as office time to devote to in office origination/merchandising duties.
• Develop good working relationships with end users.
• Determines daily bids, selects the best bids, and monitors competitive bids as needed.
• Executes grain hedging strategies and the risk management program through the use of cash grain and exchanged traded futures and options.
• Assist in management of the company, including customer relations, grain operations, operation of truck scales, rail billing, grain purchase and sales accounting.
• Coordinate grain logistics and trucking dispatch.
• Communicates and coordinates with Location Managers to ensure adequate quantity and quality of inventories to meet origination goals.
• Accurately communicates producer grain position to Grain Department Manager.
• Maintains consolidated daily position and other grain related records.
• Ensures regulatory compliance.
• Assists with physical counts of inventory, reconciles inventory variances, and posts inventory transactions.
• Answers phone and communicate with appropriate personnel to resolve customer inquiries in a timely manner.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assists department managers and sales staff with marketing activities.
• Occasionally may be asked to drive and run local errands as requested.
• Follows Company’s Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Normally requires a college degree, preferably in Ag Economics, Ag Marketing or Agri-Business or the equivalent thereof, to demonstrate essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making, and skill development.
• Prefers 3 or more years of experience in agricultural marketing and the ability to provide grain origination leadership, project management, negotiation, problem-solving and planning skills.
• Normally requires a Series III National Commodity Futures Certification or qualified for same within 6 months of assuming the position and prefers knowledge of cooperative philosophies and principles.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Must have the ability to travel independently and overnight when necessary.
• Must be willing to work extended hours beyond those considered “normal”
• Occasionally lift 21-50 lbs.
• Occasionally performs work in extreme weather conditions (hot, cold, wet, etc.).
• Occasionally performs duties around noisy conditions.
• Working conditions may include dust, fumes, chemicals, and electrical hazards with appropriate safety measures.
• Ability a