Grain Originator

Keystone Cooperative, Inc.; Hamilton (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Cooperative, Inc. seeks a Grain Purchasing Leader for the Michigan region. You will develop and implement purchasing strategies, coordinate with grain elevator operations, and work with the grain division team to maximize margins.

Responsibilities include on-farm sales calls, excellent customer service, market analysis, and risk management guidance for farmer customers. Strong communication, organization, and willingness to travel are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Understanding of grain merchandising and local market analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience planning and implementing on-farm sales calls.
• Strong organizational skills for meeting tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of grain basis and futures trading and their application to producers.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement grain purchasing strategies and tactics.
• Coordinate with grain elevator operations and with the grain division team.
• Maximize margins by understanding customer goals and aligning origination tactics.
• Conduct on-farm sales calls and provide risk management guidance.
• Maintain customer records and stay compliant with regulations.

Skills

Grain merchandising

Interpersonal communication

On-farm sales calls

Organization

Market analysis

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or business

Job description

Job DescriptionPosition Overview: This position will provide leadership and direction for Keystone grain purchasing at the assigned location or territory. The role requires customer service, extensive networking and communication with farmer producers, coordination with grain elevator operations, and collaboration with fellow grain division team members.Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:Plan, develop, and implement grain purchasing strategies and tactics, in accordance with Keystone policies and guidelines established through working with the Director of Grain MerchandisingCoordinate strategies and tactics to align with grain elevator logisticsCoordinate strategies and tactics to align sales effortsMaximize margins by interacting at all levels of a customer’s operation, gain in depth knowledge and insight to the customer’s goals, drivers, and initiatives, to align origination tactics with customer marketing plansTarget customer approachProfessional on-farm sales callsRecommend risk management strategies and productsAs part of a total farm approach to marketing, build a working relationship with agronomic sales team membersParticipate in sales calls with agronomy sales team membersSupport agronomic sales effortsMaintain a futures position for assigned location or territory, regarding routine hedge needsMaintain account and sales call records, including customer profiles.Gather information regarding local competition and communicate to the appropriate stakeholdersPosition and promote Keystone as the most credible source of grain informationExplain agricultural markets, local basis, and contracts to our farmer customersParticipate in informative farmer meetingsProvide customer service and act as one of the primary points of contact for customersAdhere to all safety requirementsEnsure compliance with all state and federal regulationsSkills and Qualifications:Understanding of grain business, including basic merchandising, and local market analysisStrong interpersonal communication skills (face-to-face, verbal, written, electronic), with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationshipsDemonstrated ability to plan and implement a variety of on-farm sales callsExcellent organization skills and ability to work well within strict time framesSolid understanding of grain basis/futures trading and the application of those to the farmer in production agricultureAbility and willingness to work long hours, travel, and be on call, as business conditions warrantEducation and Experience:Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or business preferred, or a combination of related experience