Job Description

ABOUT CLARKSON GRAIN COMPANY

For 50 years, Clarkson has been an industry pioneer in the production and supply of identity preserved grains, oilseeds, and ingredients to food and feed industries worldwide. Clarkson works with end users to identify, select, and supply hybrids/varieties/characteristics that improve end product quality, market access, process yield and client differentiation. Clarkson’s supply chain is traceable and transparent. Products can be conventional, non-GMO, organic, regenerative or whatever the client wants. To satisfy demand, farmers receive premiums to grow what buyers want in the way they want it. Crops ship from Clarkson’s own facilities cleaned and ready to process; move in bag or bulk; travel by truck, container, rail, barge, or vessel.Clarkson’s supply system functions every day throughout the year.

Clarkson’s merchandisers are pivotal to its business, helping to drive discernable value creation in its supply chain, positively setting Clarkson apart from market peers. They are passionate, collaborative and entrepreneurial individuals focused on delivering exceptional results to Clarkson’s stakeholders, both internal and external.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. ORIGINATION: Effectively, efficiently, profitably, and continually originate specialty grains (i.e., non-GMO, organic, other specialty commodities) that comply with the merchandising business unit guidelines and risk parameters as well as ensure customers receive the specialty commodities they agreed to purchase. Develop and maintain grower relationships in a manner that honors the “Clarkson Way”.
2. PRODUCER OUTREACH / EDUCATION: Proactively establish communication with new growers and foster improved relationships with existing growers to promote mutual understanding of each party’s needs, facilitate profitable growth, and provide grower solutions that positively differentiate Clarkson from its competition.
3. ANALYST INSIGHTS / LEARNING: Acquire and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local, domestic, and global market (current and historical) trends and competitor activities to develop expertise in the markets that could influence Clarkson Grain’s business (i.e. transportation (barge, rail, container, other truck markets), processors, weather, trade, competitor’s offers, services, and activities, etc.). Use these insights to identify potential market opportunities. Ensure Clarkson Grain remains competitive within the marketplace by understanding demand driven markets and how that impacts price trends in non-hedge able markets. Collaborate with Clarkson’s commercial team to share key insights and revise marketing strategies and programs to capitalize on identified opportunities and modify strategies and tactics, where needed.
4. INTERNAL COMMUNICATION / COORDINATION: Develop and maintain effective and strong communication and working relationships with other departments to ensure the origination, seed, and freight/logistics efforts function as a coordinated team effort and represent a unified, professional, and customer-centric approach, honoring the “Clarkson Way” with growers/customers as well as enhance the ease and speed of transactions internally.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Basic understanding of commodity grain trading, hedging, freight, logistics, CBOT pricing, agronomics, and related grain merchandising practices and the ability to manage risks.
• Comprehensive understanding of effective contracting – an ability to negotiate and write clear and complete contracts that reflect Clarkson’s agreement with the farmer/customer and minimizes risk of conflict.
• Have a basic understanding of how commodity prices and transportation costs interact. Understand basic concepts of freight spreads and be able to calculate relative spreads to competing markets, producer locations or other locations as needed.
• Gain or obtain knowledge of GMP, Food Safety and HAACP Plans, grain standards, grading, etc.
• Proven solid work ethic and ability to work independently while still working effectively within a team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with different personalities.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity, adapting to changing priorities and conditions.
• High degree of integrity and trustworthiness.
• Effective use of analytic (i.e. Excel) and communication tools (i.e. PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, CRM). Experience with Agris is a plus.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or business-related field or equivalent experience required.
• 3+ years experience in grain merchandising (experience in niche/specialty grain markets a plus)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires a valid operator’s license and ability to travel domestically.
• Able to travel up to 40% of the time.
• Level of responsiveness for emergency situations.

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

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