Grain & Co-Products Merchandiser

Green Plains Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Green Plains Inc. is seeking a Grain and Co-Products Merchandiser to develop and execute strategies for grain origination, procurement, and marketing that optimize profitability and supply chain performance.

You will manage logistics, build relationships with producers and customers, monitor market trends, and collaborate with operations, risk, and leadership to align merchandising with company goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in grain procurement, merchandising, or feed ingredient trading.
• Experience with physical agricultural trading, transportation, or arbitrage preferred.
• Strong understanding of commodity markets, grain pricing, and hedging tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement grain origination, marketing, and logistics strategies.
• Monitor market trends, USDA reports, and CBOT data to guide decisions.
• Manage forward positions, inventory levels, and price risk.
• Provide customers and suppliers with market information and risk management support.
• Collaborate with operations and risk teams to align merchandising activity.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Relationship building

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field

Tools

CBOT

Microsoft Office

Job description

Summary

The Grain and Co-Products Merchandiser is responsible for developing and executing grain and feed merchandising strategies that optimize plant profitability, strengthen supply chain performance, and build lasting relationships with producers, customers, and industry partners. This position manages origination, procurement, marketing, and logistics for grain and related feed coproducts, ensuring consistent supply and market competitiveness.

The Grain and Co-Products Merchandiser collaborates closely with plant operations, logistics, and risk management teams to achieve commercial and operational objectives that align with Green Plains’ mission of transforming renewable crops into sustainable value-added ingredients.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement marketing strategies that support grain origination and feed merchandising, ensuring profitability and risk-balanced performance.
• Monitor and analyze market trends, USDA reports, and Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) data to guide buying, selling, and position management decisions.
• Manage forward positions, inventory levels, and price risk to maximize margins and reduce exposure.
• Provide customers and suppliers with timely market information, pricing opportunities, and risk management support.
• Oversee and manage grain origination, procurement, and feed coproduct merchandising for assigned locations.
• Ensure consistent and cost-effective supply of grain to plant operations while meeting quality and grading standards.
• Identify and develop strong relationships with producers, suppliers, integrators, and end-users.
• Collaborate with leadership to coordinate trading, logistics, and contract execution between plants and corporate merchandising teams.
• Support merchandising of coproducts including Dried, Modified, and Wet Distillers Grains (DDGS, MDGS, WDGS), Corn Fermented Protein, and related feed ingredients.

Logistics & Operations

• Coordinate transportation and logistics to ensure timely delivery of grain and coproducts.
• Maintain compliant and efficient inventory tracking systems consistent with internal and regulatory requirements.
• Manage day-to-day operations of merchandising and logistics, ensuring alignment with corporate and local plant objectives.

Customer & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with local producers, customers, and integrators to enhance market reach and loyalty.
• Provide exceptional customer service and act as a primary contact for producers and buyers regarding contracts, deliveries, and market insights.
• Represent Green Plains professionally in all community and customer interactions.
• Work closely with management, operations, and risk teams to align merchandising activity with overall business strategy.
• Support and potentially lead a merchandising team responsible for multiple products and market areas.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to pricing, logistics, and customer service.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field required.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in grain procurement, merchandising, or feed ingredient trading.
• Experience with physical agricultural trading, transportation, or arbitrage strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of commodity markets, grain pricing, and hedging tools (CBOT).
• Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn new software applications.
• Excellent organizational and communication abilities with a strong sense of urgency and attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong professional relationships and work effectively in diverse teams.
• Demonstrated leadership, business acumen, and sound judgment in assessing opportunities and risk.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Frequent sitting, standing, computer, and phone use; occasional lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Some travel required to grain facilities, customer locations, and industry events.

Job Type:Full-time

Compensation:Salaried, $70,000 - $115,000 annually

Salaried Incentive Plan:Annual Bonus (based on company milestones and individual performance as determined by the Company) will be included in total compensation package

Green Plains Inc. offers competitive pay: a generous benefit package including business casual work environment, health, dental, vision, life insurance, paid holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO) and a 401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting and company safe harbor matching. All potential employees of Green Plains Inc. will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check prior to employment.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for plant-based roles to comply with applicable child labor laws.

Green Plains does not provide immigration-related employment sponsorship for new hires (for example, H-1B, F-1 OPT, TN, or other work visas). Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis and be able to maintain ongoing work authorization without employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

Company Description

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a leading biorefining company focused on disciplined execution and leadership in low‑carbon biofuels and high‑value ingredients. The company operates a performance‑driven platform focused on maximizing yield, lowering carbon intensity, and delivering long‑term value through responsible capital deployment.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.