POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE: Commodities Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
POSITION REPORTS TO: CEO
POSITION PURPOSE:
The Commodity Manager is to create positive margins to maximize returns. Focus on logistical movement to ensure inventory availability and expedite the movement of finished goods to maintain positive cash flow, while managing the commodity risk price of the company.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES
1. Purchase cash corn and natural gas at a level that produces positive margins, originate bushels from draw territory while expanding our territory. Price finished goods (Ethanol, DDGS, Corn Oil, Corn Syrup) at profitable levels.
2. Manage logistics and actual flow of grain thru assets to ensure continuous availability of product to meet production needs.
3. Manage logistics and actual flow of ethanol, corn oil, wet, and dry distillers grain to ensure customers’ needs are being met and inventory levels do not exceed their storage space.
4. Establish and maintain strong customer relations with our marketers, farmers and grain haulers.
5. Establish and maintain strong customer relations with cattle ranchers, feedlots, and feed brokers.
6. Maintain strong communication and working relationships with our marketing partners for ethanol, corn oil and distillers’ grain.
7. Recognize and manage price risk thru the use of hedging derivatives/flat price contracts and other risk management tools.
8. Continuous learning of the grain, ethanol industry and new hedging alternatives.
9. Supervision of Commodity Originator and Commodity Coordinator.
10. Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.
11. Maintain compliance with government agencies CFTC, SD PUC and USDA.
12. Be able to present and communicate product pricing, procurement and risk abatement strategies to the Risk Management Committee and Board of Directors.
13. Produce and review month-end reports in conjunction with the accounting team.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Agriculture, or Animal Science field preferred.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:
5-7 years of experience in commodities or other sales-related field required.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong creative and organizational skills
Ability to interact professionally and effectively with internal and external customers
Ability to maintain good relationships with internal and external customers, use tact and diplomacy, and possess a customer service focus
Strong analytical abilities, problem solving skills, negotiation skills, dispute resolution and ability to overcome obstacles
Manage multiple priorities with efficiency and accuracy
Ability to anticipate needs and accomplish necessary tasks
Strong motivational ability
Act with honesty and integrity
Strong aptitude in using financial risk management markets (futures, options, and OTC contracts)
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION
Significant time will be spent in a temperature-controlled office-based environment at the plant office. Ability to sit for long periods of time. Able to view computer screen for lengths at a time. Some time will be spent in the plant. All types of chemical industry equipment are used in the plant to include, but not limited to fermentation vessels, agitators, mixing and milling equipment, distillation columns, centrifuges and distributive control systems. May be exposed to loud noises, wet and humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic chemicals, extreme hot and cold depending on weather conditions. May be required to work in high, precarious places. Must be able to speak and listen clearly. Fine visual acuity to read for accuracy. Travel required or as needed.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH: This job may require lifting of up to 50 pounds occasionally.