What are the responsibilities and job description for the Merchant Trainee position at COLUMBIA GRAIN?
Job Details
Description
Job Title: Merchant Trainee
Department: Merchandising
Reports To: Product Line Manager or Division Manager, as assigned
Organizational Background:
Columbia Grain International, LLC. is a long time established full-service grain company in the grain and pulses business. We are headquartered in Portland, Oregon and own/operate over 50 elevators and offices throughout WA, ID, MN, MT, NE and ND to support our domestic and export sales program.
We are a mid-size company with just over 450 employees overall. The employees at Columbia Grain, at all levels of our organization, represent some of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the industry. We are proud of our ability to attract and maintain talented, efficient, long term, community minded employees who can develop lasting relationships with producers and customers both domestic and around the world.
Position Description:
The Merchant Trainee is an entry-level position focused on learning all the skills necessary to be promoted to Merchant. Merchants are primarily responsible for buying and selling commodities utilizing multiple forms of freight including barges, shuttles, DET’s, single rail cars and trucks. The Merchant Trainee will train under other members of the merchandising and operations teams to support operational goals. The training period will be six months to two years, depending on experience and progress toward learning objectives. The candidate must be willing to travel to our headquarters in Portland, Oregon, for training. After the training period, the candidate will be placed in their designated location.
Qualifications
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Learns to trade agricultural commodities for the company as a profit/loss center.
- Monitors export and domestic markets and arbitrage opportunities.
- Coordinates shipments with elevator managers, other merchants, and customers.
- Projects freight needs and corresponding coverage in deferred positions.
- Monitors railroad and barge performance, events, tariffs, and rail incentive programs.
- Communicates with other company departments, vendors, and customers.
- Other duties assigned.
Skills, Knowledge, Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Business-related field (Finance or Economics preferred).
- Strong conceptual and problem-solving skills to evaluate problems and apply knowledge to identify appropriate solutions; ability to resolve issues effectively and efficiently.
- Strong customer service orientation and ability to establish solid working relationships.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and other employees.
- Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Strong interpersonal skills: ability to interact with all levels of management.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptive to successfully achieve the function of the position.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, ability to calculate figures including interest, commissions, ratios and conversions quickly and accurately.
- Good work ethic in a team environment.
- Willingness to perform all required work with good attendance.
Benefits Offered:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental, and RX benefits
- Company paid Life Insurance and Disability
- Flexible Spending Plans
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401K Retirement savings plan
- Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick leave
Successful completion of initial and ongoing employment screens, including but not limited to criminal background and vehicle record as required.
Columbia Grain is an Equal Opportunity Employer
