Grains Trader

Position Summary

The Grains Trader is responsible for managing and growing a hard red winter wheat (HRW) trading portfolio, with a focus on merchandising, market analysis, and trade execution. This role develops and executes trading strategies across cash and futures markets, manages grain procurement and sales activity, and optimizes rail and truck logistics to maximize value.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the merchandising and trading of HRW, with additional involvement in sorghum, soybeans, and other grain commodities as needed

• Develop and execute trading strategies by leveraging futures positions against cash markets and managing spread exposure

• Analyze supply and demand fundamentals, market trends, basis movements, and macroeconomic factors to identify trading opportunities

• Originate, negotiate, and execute grain purchase and sales contracts, including pricing, quality, volume, freight, and delivery terms

• Coordinate commodity movement through rail (primarily Union Pacific and BNSF) and truck logistics to ensure efficient execution

• Support domestic and export trading activities, including grain marketed through the Port of Houston

• Build and maintain strong relationships with producers, customers, freight providers, and other market participants

• Monitor positions, exposures, and market risk while delivering profitable trading performance

• Ensure accurate execution, documentation, and settlement of all transactions

What is Expected of You and Others at This Level

• Intermediate knowledge and experience in own discipline; still acquiring higher level knowledge and skills

• Solves a range of straightforward problems

• Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures

• Solves a range of straightforward problems

• Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction

Competencies Expected Of You And Others At This Level

• Collaborates - Builds partnerships and works cooperatively with others to achieve shared objectives

• Ensures Accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments

• Being Resilient - Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations

• Customer Focus - Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer centric solutions

• Values Differences - Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization

• Optimizes Work Processes - Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement

• Instills Trust - Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required (or equivalent experience), preferably in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field

• 3-5 years of commodity merchandising, grain trading, or origination experience required; 5–10 years preferred for senior-level consideration

• Experience trading grain commodities, particularly HRW wheat, strongly preferred

• Demonstrated experience managing futures positions against a cash grain book and utilizing hedging strategies

• Rail merchandising and logistics experience required; export and FOB trading experience preferred

• Strong analytical, negotiation, and relationship management skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and commodity trading systems

Physical Requirements And Working Environment

• Prolonged period of sitting at a desk and working at a computer