Manager of Market Development and Trade

Alberta Grains; Calgary; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Group benefits package

RRSP matching

Vacation: 3–5 weeks depending on years

Personal days: 6 annually

Industry relationships opportunities

Travel for meetings and events

Job summary

Alberta Grains is seeking a Manager of Market Development and Trade to strengthen market access, advance trade opportunities, and support the competitiveness of Alberta wheat and barley producers.

The role reports to the Director of Government Relations and Policy and collaborates with industry and government partners to translate market intelligence into actionable insights for producers and leadership.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in agricultural markets, grain trade, market development, economic analysis, supply chains, or a related field.
• A degree in agriculture, economics, business, commerce, or a related discipline. Equivalent education and experience will be considered.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian grain markets, agricultural trade, transportation, market access, and pricing mechanisms.
• Experience analyzing economic trends, market data, and supply-chain developments to support sound decisions.
• An understanding of grain pricing, risk management, and market intelligence tools.
• Proven ability to manage projects, partnerships, contracts, budgets, and competing priorities.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder relationship skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, producer-focused team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen market access, grain marketing, and trade opportunities.
• Build productive relationships with grain buyers, exporters, processors, regulators, and industry partners.
• Collaborate with organizations such as Cereals Canada and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre.
• Represent Alberta Grains in industry forums, working groups, consultations, and strategic partnerships.
• Identify barriers to trade and emerging market opportunities, recommending practical solutions.
• Monitor market trends, pricing developments, trade issues, and economic conditions affecting Alberta wheat and barley.
• Analyze grain markets, transportation systems, supply chains, and regulatory developments.
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for producers, committees, the Board, and organizational leadership.
• Oversee Alberta Grains' PDQ price data and quotation system, supporting its accuracy, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Provide market and economic expertise to support evidence-based policy and advocacy positions.
• Support Alberta Grains' Markets Committee through research, presentations, recommendations, and project coordination.
• Lead market-related projects, partnerships, contracts, and research initiatives.
• Develop briefing materials, reports, and presentations for industry and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with internal teams and provide guidance to project resources, analysts, and consultants as required.

Skills

Agricultural markets

Grain trade

Market development

Economic analysis

Supply chains

Project management

Stakeholder relations

Communication

Education

Agriculture

Economics

Business/Commerce

Tools

PDQ price data system

Job description

Connect Markets. Create Opportunities. Strengthen Alberta Agriculture.

Are you passionate about agricultural markets, international trade, and the economic forces shaping Canadian agriculture? Do you enjoy turning market intelligence into strategies that create real opportunities?

Alberta Grains is seeking a Manager of Market Development and Trade to help strengthen market access, advance trade opportunities, and support the competitiveness of Alberta wheat and barley producers.

This is an exciting opportunity for an analytical, relationship-driven professional who wants to play an influential role in Canada's grain industry.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Government Relations and Policy, you'll lead market development and trade initiatives that support Alberta farmers and the long-term success of the wheat and barley sector.

You'll work with industry organizations, government agencies, grain buyers, exporters, and other partners to identify opportunities, address market challenges, and provide valuable economic and market intelligence.

From analyzing grain markets and transportation challenges to strengthening domestic and international trade relationships, your work will help inform decisions that matter to producers.

What You'll Be Doing

Advance Market Development and Trade

• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen market access, grain marketing, and trade opportunities.
• Build productive relationships with grain buyers, exporters, processors, regulators, and industry partners.
• Collaborate with organizations such as Cereals Canada and the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre.
• Represent Alberta Grains in industry forums, working groups, consultations, and strategic partnerships.
• Identify barriers to trade and emerging market opportunities, recommending practical solutions.

Turn Market Intelligence into Action

• Monitor market trends, pricing developments, trade issues, and economic conditions affecting Alberta wheat and barley.
• Analyze grain markets, transportation systems, supply chains, and regulatory developments.
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for producers, committees, the Board, and organizational leadership.
• Oversee Alberta Grains' PDQ price data and quotation system, supporting its accuracy, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Provide market and economic expertise to support evidence-based policy and advocacy positions.

Build Partnerships and Deliver Results

• Support Alberta Grains' Markets Committee through research, presentations, recommendations, and project coordination.
• Lead market-related projects, partnerships, contracts, and research initiatives.
• Develop briefing materials, reports, and presentations for industry and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with internal teams and provide guidance to project resources, analysts, and consultants as required.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for someone who combines strong analytical skills with commercial awareness, curiosity, and a genuine interest in helping Alberta agriculture succeed.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in agricultural markets, grain trade, market development, economic analysis, supply chains, or a related field.
• A degree in agriculture, economics, business, commerce, or a related discipline. Equivalent education and experience will be considered.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian grain markets, agricultural trade, transportation, market access, and pricing mechanisms.
• Experience analyzing economic trends, market data, and supply-chain developments to support sound decisions.
• An understanding of grain pricing, risk management, and market intelligence tools.
• Proven ability to manage projects, partnerships, contracts, budgets, and competing priorities.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder relationship skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative, producer-focused team.

Above all, you'll bring a practical, solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to connect market insights with meaningful opportunities for Alberta producers.

Why Join Alberta Grains?

This is more than a market analysis role. It's an opportunity to contribute to the strength, competitiveness, and long-term success of Alberta's wheat and barley industry.

You'll work alongside knowledgeable industry professionals, build valuable relationships across the grain value chain, and help turn market intelligence into meaningful results.

Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package includes:

• Competitive salary: $95,000 to $120,000 based on experience.
• Comprehensive group benefits: Health, dental, life insurance, critical illness, disability coverage, and employee assistance support.
• Employer-paid benefits: 100% employer-paid premiums, except long-term disability.
• RRSP matching: Employer matching of up to 5% following three months of employment.
• Generous vacation: Three weeks to start, increasing to four weeks after five years of service and five weeks after 10 years.
• Six paid personal days annually.
• Opportunities to build meaningful industry relationships and contribute to initiatives that directly support Alberta farmers.

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), with some evening and weekend commitments and travel required for meetings and events.

Ready to Help Shape the Future of Grain Markets?

If you're energized by market trends, agricultural trade, and the opportunity to make a difference for Alberta producers, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and help create new opportunities for Alberta's wheat and barley industry.

Alberta Grains appreciates the interest of all applicants. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.