Grain Merchandiser

About the role

POET is dedicated to being good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods. For over thirty years, POET has been a leader in sustainable products and the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive BONUS opportunities - up to SIX bonuses per year (Quarterly Profit Sharing & Value Share)
• Paid time off and paid holidays - 40 hours of PTO available on Day 1, on top of a biweekly PTO accrual program!
• Comprehensive benefits package; Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
• Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
• 401K with company match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Affordable Relocation Assistance and Bonus Programs for qualifying positions and/or locations
• Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
• Discounted home and auto insurance

Job Summary & Responsibilities

As a Grain Merchandiser, you will work directly with farmers and commercial grain companies to procure grain through on-farm visits, phone calls, and customer meetings. Your responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain relationships with farmers and commercial grain partners
• Procure grain through on-farm visits, phone calls, and customer meetings
• Analyze local supply/demand, competition, crop and market conditions to offer competitive bids
• Create and communicate marketing strategies tailored to customer needs
• Manage grain contracts, records, and customer database

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in ag business, marketing, animal science, or a related field, or have 3-5 years of grain merchandising/origination/advisory experience
• Strong knowledge of grain marketing, contracts, and market drivers
• Background in sales and/or customer relations
• Ability to seek out and build strong customer relationships and build a market territory
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail
• Excellent organization and time management skills with a sense of urgency that drives results
• Familiarity with the basics of Microsoft Office Suite and the capability to learn new programs
• Bonus points: a demonstrated background of success

Strengths of a Successful Candidate

• High level of personal integrity
• Interpersonal skills – ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within/outside the organization
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to embrace and promote change
• Innovative mindset
• Ability to think objectively
• Self-awareness in the face of uncertainty
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment with a positive and friendly attitude
• Priority in a fast-paced environment

Work Environment

• Up to 50% travel will be part of the norm for this position to visit customers and attend meetings off-site. At times, overnight travel may be required.
• This position operates primarily in an office environment, working at a personal computer where you may sit or stand.

Culture is King at POET

We're all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren't just slogans on our walls. It's the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It's the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!

Growth & Development Opportunities

At POET, we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset.