Grain Originator

The Basics

Location: Council Bluffs, IA

Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience

Days/Hours: This will be a day shift job with the potential for some evening and weekend hours to meet customer needs, particularly during the harvest season(s)

Software used: Microsoft Office programs, messaging apps

These are just a few of the benefits you can expect from working with Bartlett:

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Profit sharing plan
• Health Insurance, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability coverage paid 100% for Team Member
• Dental and Vision insurance available
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays   

• Uniform Services Time Off (USTO)
• Uniform Services Differential Pay
• A culture that appreciates Team Members

What you’ll be doing:

The intent of this position is to establish long-term relationships with suppliers to pursue grain origination that will maximize elevator volume and support trading activities.  This position will target producers and develop effective pricing strategies and promotions, represent the company at the farm level, and play a key role in planning logistics to meet the needs of producers and the facility.

The Essential Duties and Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Producer contact
  • Complete research to identify producers in the elevator’s anticipated draw territory
  • Establish effective daily communication with customer base
  • Expand the producer network in the draw area to the terminal facilities
  • Buy grain from local farm producers.
  • Promote all commodity programs/products and provide feedback to Manager on new opportunities
  • Provide market insights to local producers

• Hedging and risk
  • Report grain purchases to the hedging staff.
  • Enter all contracts promptly and secure counterparty confirm/signature
  • Help cultivate company perspective on price/quality based on information received from producers, elevator customers, and competing elevators
  • Properly monitor standing pricing orders from the farmer to the hedge desk

• Strategic Development
  • Annually review producer profiles and target suppliers
  • Provide feedback to Manager on crop production intentions, yield expectations, and acreage revenue needs, along with transportation needs/challenges
  • Collaborate with Manager to properly manage inbound truck schedule/logistics
  • Identify new customer opportunities

• Actively participate in weekly merchandising meetings and regular operations meetings
• Participate in annual volume/margin forecasting
• Understand and participate in space management discussions
• Work with our logistics team in shipping grain in a cost-effective and efficient manner

• Represent the Company in a professional manner.
• Exhibit fair, ethical, and legal commercial standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned and/or requested.

Requirements to be successful in this position:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in lieu of degree
• 2+ years trading experience
• Excellent organizational skills
• The ability to work under pressure
• Strong analytical skills
• Strategic approach to the marketplace
• Strong communication skills and relationship management
• The ability to work well with others at all levels within the organization
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs

Here are some of the physical requirements for this role:

• This job is not physically strenuous. You must be able to sit at a desk and be able to utilize computers
• This job requires the ability to read and comprehend written and oral operational and safety instructions and related rules, policies, and memos, and to communicate clearly with your co-workers and supervisors
• It is important to have vision and hearing skills that help you communicate with good interpersonal skills

• This job is indoors in a controlled atmosphere with occasional visits to customer’s farms and Company locations
• There will be minimal lifting of approximately 30 lbs