What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grain Originator/Merchandiser Assistant position at Agfinity?
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Position Summary:
The Originator/Merchandiser Assistant role is a buyer position that is responsible for purchasing commodities from producer customers and maintaining and enhancing grower relationships. This role works with a provided grower list to maintain business and relationships. Originators contribute to the daily operations and provide administrative support for the department to maximize efficiencies that will directly contribute to the profitability of Agfinity by working collaboratively with the trading/sales team. This role will partner closely with the logistics team, accounting team, merchandisers, and facility/plant staff.
Essential Functions:
- Develop skills to make grain buying decisions.
- Learn and understand local producer trends and assist in communicating this information as required.
- Execution of purchase contracts with accurate documentation and ensure contract compliance.
- Maintain strong working relationships with farm producers by providing credible and trustworthy marketing services that contribute to the company’s excellent customer service image in the farming community.
- Assist team in building new relationships with new producers.
- Provide customers with accurate market information and answers to questions about their business transactions.
- Contract management includes reconciling balances with customers.
Other Duties:
- Participate in industry relevant trades shows by arranging a booth when applicable, working the Trade Shows and Grower Meetings as well as other industry functions.
- Interact with customers, express ideas, and share opinions with Agfinity team on customer trends and opinions from marketing ideas to planting and crop conditions.
- Awareness and understanding of marketing alternatives and digital tools used to make purchasing decisions, as well as enhance and manage producer relationships.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in agriculture, business, economics, or a related field or equivalent work experience in the grain and fed industry.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years experience in grain origination
- Strong knowledge of grain market trends and industry regulations is essential.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Knowledge of grain and feed markets, products, and regulations.
- Ability to analyze and interpret market data and trends.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software applications.
- Ability to travel frequently and work flexible hours.
Reasoning Ability:
- In performing the originator/merchandising assistant role, employees are expected to perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision, interact professionally with other employees, customers, and suppliers, work effectively as a team contributor and independently while understanding the necessity for communication with other employees and throughout Agfinity.
Agfinity has a competitive benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Pension Retirement Plan, 401(k) Match Plan, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, Clothing Allowance and Life and Disability coverage for those who may qualify.
This position does require a pre-hire, post-offer criminal background check, and a drug screen.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.
