Strategic Commodity Specialist

**You will love being a part of our team**

You will work with people who are passionate about their jobs and take initiative; people who want to do their best every single day; people who care deeply about their customers and deliver top-quality service. You’ll work with a team of people who “do the right thing.” You’ll be a part of an entire organization that will never be satisfied with the status quo and will always look for ways to improve and be more efficient while taking care of the customer.

**The Role**

The Strategic Commodity Specialist is a leader in the field whose role is key to expanding brand presence and keeping external customers loyal and happy. Through communication of commodity risk management-related technical expertise, this role will assist customers to meet their on-farm commodity requirements. They will work closely with consultants to revolutionize the customer experience through the sharing of technical information to enhance decision making and reduce business risk.

**Primary Roles and Responsibilities**
- Cascade and integrate company communications, processes, and guidelines among the team
- Foster a cross-functional brand approach by breaking down silos and encouraging open and honest interdepartmental communication
- Work closely with the Brand Manager and Strategic Commodity Manager to learn and understand the dynamics of Monarch Ag Merchants (MAM) and how we work synergistically within our family of brands to support customers’ requirements.
- Work closely with the Brand Manager to market current products that MAM currently handles, as well as develop new products/opportunities
- Target potential markets to generate business; expand the network of customers and develop current customers
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with producers and customers
- Manage and build a successful book of business while always looking for new opportunities within the markets
- Engage, motivate, and effectively drive team member performance and promote a culture of accountability and respect in the workplace
- Work directly with consultants and their customers to provide leading-edge, value-added commodity market consultation and management support
- Track commodity market trends and identify opportunities to market commodities direct to farm through strategizing and synergizing with internal/external stakeholders
- Manage pricing and contract negotiations with vendors and customers
- Build strong vendor relationships, source and qualify new vendors
- Manage and implement the optimization of internal vendor and customer-focused processes to support and drive commodity marketing success (i.e., optimize supply chain and administrative tools)
- Create and deliver educational initiatives, tools and processes to communicate commodity risk management information (i.e., Monthly Market Update for consultants)
- Drive continuous improvement of commodity and rail-related management system tools, processes, and procedures by making them simplified, consistent, effective, and efficient (E.g., scheduling of rail cars and trucks, customer onboarding etc.)
- Participation in industry trade shows, various marketing endeavors and campaigns

**Skills & Experience Required**
- A proven leadership track record that engages motivates, and effectively drives the performance of team members, as well as promoting a culture of accountability and respect in the workplace
- Strong communication and mentoring skills that align with various personality types
- Positive, self-motivated and goal-oriented team player who is open to learning, challenging and improving
- Advanced understanding of commodity market analysis, forecasts and risk management with the ability to improve these skills through a continuous learning process
- Knowledgeable about agricultural processes, familiar with identifying new ingredients and opportunities
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with Leadership, employees, vendors and customers
- Honesty, integrity and a strong sense of ethics in all decisions and actions
- Detail-oriented and resourceful with strong analytical capabilities and decision-making skills
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a fully functional team; you believe in making others more successful
- Flexible, adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment
- Strong organization and time management skills Excellent in-person and online presentation skills

**Qualifications include**
- Post-secondary education from a recognized institution in Business, Commerce, Logistics, or related discipline preferred and/or minimum 5 years of Agri-commodities experience
- Solid commodity market technical understanding combined with strong business acumen and strategic mindset
- Knowledgeable of the Prairie Provinces and Colony marketplaces
- High level of comfort with presenting in front of a large group of producers