Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative

Job Description 

Job Title: Merchandiser

Department: Grain

Reports To: Merchandising Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Prepared By: Claire Vincent

Prepared Date: May 4, 2026

Approved By: 

Approved Date: 

Summary Assisting in the marketing of commodities by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Observes techniques in developing and maintaining relationships and interactions with members, cooperatives and companies.

Researches market information and assists in updating customer/client base on market trends, current commodity quotes, and grain programs.

Acquires experience in hedging, basis trading, transportation planning and government programs.

Assists in providing customers with updated bid sheets.

Receives orders for and assists in executing purchase or sales of grain and verifies accuracy of information.

Observes domestic trade activities for feed and malt barley and wheat.

Observes execution of logistics actions related to commodity movements with domestic accounts, both truck and rail.

Assists in contacting firms/individuals and observes merchandising personnel in executing orders or s transactions.

Enters commodities data and transactions into computer database.

Reviews all transactions to ensure that trades conform to pertinent laws and regulations.

Prepares transaction reports and disperses to pertinent parties.

Assists in participation in communicating with key merchandising and logistics personnel to update on inventories, trading, and assist in marketing strategies.

Researches trade problems and communicates findings to merchandiser.

Observes merchandiser develop new markets for commodities.

Gains skill in developing and maintaining relationships with trading representatives.

Interacts with company management, merchandising/marketing and logistics personnel.

Supervisory Responsibilities  

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience  

Minimum junior standing with some or all of the following classes:

• Macro and Micro Economics
• Math/Business Economics
• Principles of Ag Economics
• Agricultural Markets & Prices
• Managerial Economics: Production or Consumption & Markets
• Agricultural Cooperatives
• Developing Negotiation Skills in Agribusiness
• Intro/Advanced Food & Ag Markets
• Business Finance Economics
• Business Management Economics
• Money & Banking
• Monetary Theory/Practice
• Risk Management
• Portfolio Management
• Market Trading
• Pricing Strategy & Tactics
• Supply Chain Management
• Crop/Plant Growth & Development
• Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems
• Advanced Cropping Systems
• Precision Agricultural Systems
• Farm and Agribusiness Management
• Agricultural and Food Systems
• Agricultural Markets & Prices
• Agricultural Tractors, Power Units & Machinery Management
• Agricultural Processing Systems
• Agricultural & Rural Policy

Language Skills  

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills  

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability  

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills  

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Accounting software; Database software; Internet software; Inventory software; Order processing systems; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

A Series 3 license is beneficial, but not required.

Other Skills and Abilities  

In-depth knowledge of the grain industry, from field to export; agronomy; grain varieties; quality factors. Knowledge of state and federal regulations and related accounting requirements. Business acumen, people and communication (relationship) skills are required.

Educational courses in futures, basis, hedging, economics, marketing, business, and logistics are beneficial.

Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.