CEA, a proactive, relationship-drive grain risk management company, is searching for a Sr Grain Merchandiser. Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or agriculture from a four-year college or university and five to seven years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. This position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and strong analytical, communications, and data management skills. CEA offers a competitive salary, outstanding insurance package, dual retirement plans, and paid leave.

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SUMMARY OF POSITION
Responsible for developing and executing grain procurement and marketing strategies, overseeing logistics, maximizing profitability, and maintaining strong relationships with farmers, suppliers, and customers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (includes the following and others may be assigned.)

• Provides excellent customer service to all CEA customers by managing difficult or emotional situations; responding promptly to customer needs; resolving questions, complaints, and concerns immediately; and meeting commitments;
• Procures and markets grain to achieve optimum financial results;
• Demonstrates an advanced understanding of cash grain trading, futures & options, and risk management concepts;
• Promotes and implements grain marketing programs to improve client awareness, participation, and profitability and to increase bushel procurement, product and service sales, and business unit profitability;
• Works with industry partners to meet shipment goals and determine grain quality in those origins;
• Works to ensure CEA remains a leader in grain services for our trade area;
• Creates and implements liquidation plans for member owner grain elevators for upcoming harvest space needs;
• Works with origins, destinations, and trucks on load/unload schedules;
• Acquires advantageous freight lanes and available freight;
• Assists in evaluating basis ownership positions to align proper risk with market and logistical opportunities;
• Books freight and looks for backhaul freight;
• Evaluates inventory and balances sales and ownership positions with market structure;
• Tracks shipment progress to make sure goals are being accomplished;
• Reviews settlements, freight bills and freight billing;
• Works with end users to ensure that contracts meet minimum quality requirements;
• Builds relationships with end users, truckers, and origin managers;
• Promotes company, member and employee cohesiveness through effective communication, teamwork, and shared services;
• Effectively communicates by verbal and written means with customers, employees, and management;
• Maintains and promotes safety awareness; follows safety policies, procedures, and reporting requirements;
• Presents a clean and professional appearance;
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• This job requires 2%-day travel.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This job does not have supervisory responsibilities.

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

Comark Equity Alliance, LLC is an EOE/ADA employer.

KEY SKILLS

• Proven experience in grain merchandising, commodity trading, or related roles.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of agricultural markets, supply chains, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work under pressure, make quick decisions, and travel as needed

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or agriculture from four-year college or university and five to seven years
related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Willing to seek out and attend additional
continuing education, seminars, classes or other job-related education requirements or opportunities.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• None

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

COMPUTER SKILLS
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have proficient computer operation skills and knowledge of accounting software, database software, spreadsheet software, word processing software, inventory software, order processing software, and internet/email software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; walk or stand; and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee works inside a climate-controlled office atmosphere and occasionally works outside, with exposure to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high places, fumes, and airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employee must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments.

Please submit your application by clicking APPLY TO THIS POSITION.