Merchant Assistant - Saginaw

Position Overview:   Primarily responsible for the MA duties at the individual elevator location(s) with direction from the MA Lead and in coordination with the Operations leadership for the location(s).   Performs and oversees the data entry associated with receiving and shipping of grain, which may occasionally include the grading of grain as well.  Manages producer/customer accounts by assisting local Originators with spot contracts, settlements, customer service and other support as needed.  Provides superior customer service to internal and external customers, producers and drivers.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ensure tickets are entered/applied and contract settlements completed timely and accurately
  • Ensure all tickets from previous day are reconciled, applied, organized in numeric order and that any missing tickets have been found and fixed by the established daily deadline
  • Enter freight on the backside of tickets for inbound loads if those tickets were not already applied via a load order
  • Enter weights on the backside of tickets for transfers from other locations and balance, which also includes finalizing all documents and preparing payments for spot loads.
• Submit applicable settlements or ACH/wire requests to corporate office by the established deadline for payment to customers
• Scan and send the cottonseed tickets to the customer while also CC the cottonseed email, if applicable to your location
• Enter all spot contracts that have been hedged for the day by the applicable deadline.  Only Lead MA’s enter basis contracts.
• Pull/print proofs-of-yield for farmers
• For locations where scale and MA duties are performed by MA:
  • Weigh trucks
  • Grade grain
  • Process rejected loads/tickets and re-direct drivers
• Collect balances due from local sales customers in accordance with A/R aging guidelines
• Calculate and submit payments due to purchase customers
• Close contracts as applicable and reconcile balances with customers
• Notify merchandising group of irreconcilable differences between Attebury and customers
• Coordinate application of freight to tickets in preparation for payment of truck freight invoices
• Provide support for Originators and Merchants with contract applications and management of executed contracts
• Retrieve and print truck schedule each Friday, with the hauls and load orders for the respective facility, ensure all information is included and that the schedule is available in the scale house for the following week
• On the last day of each month, make sure all tickets are applied.
• On the first day of each month, run location statements to clear out zero balances.
• Contact all over-due A/R accounts to collect funds to get/keep those accounts current.
• Check all equipment at your facilities - printers, computers, scales, and internet availability to make sure all is in working order and notify RunBiz/IT Support If there are any problems
• Review open storage accounts and send letters to customers who have contracts that are still pending
• Go through all mail, including retrieving from the post office if necessary
• Complete all required training and certification
• Participate in meetings and reporting as needed
• Punctual and regular attendance is an essential job responsibility

Minimum Job Requirements

Education and Experience:

• College degree not required but desirable

• High School Diploma or GED required
• At least 2 years general administrative experience and one year experience in administrative responsibilities in the grain industry preferred but not required

Qualifications and Skills:

• Intermediate knowledge of math
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat
• Keyboarding at a minimum of 50 wpm with no errors
• Ability to coordinate personnel and customers to solve problems and collect money due
• Ability to maintain flexible attitude and approach toward assignments
• Proficient with the ERP and accounting software
• Excellent attention to detail
• Work well in a team environment and with a diverse group of people
• High level of initiative and ability to work independently.
• Must be able to operate computer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, paper shredder, and scanner
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and follow established work assignments and processes
• Must be trustworthy, dependable, and ethical.
• Work requires continual attention to detail in composing, typing and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines with straightforward answers if the task/project was accomplished as assigned.
• This position requires the flexibility to work the hours needed to fulfill the requirements of the job
• Develop and maintain professional working relationship with management and staff
• Must be able to work under pressure
• Use of personal vehicle for business use may be required.  Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Preferred Job Requirements:

• Knowledge of the complete purchase and invoice cycle
• Strong communication skills 
• Strong organizational skills 
• Strong customer service skills

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time and use telephone equipment and a computer simultaneously.
• Required to see, talk, hear, bend, sit, speak, read, and write.
• Required to reach with arms
• Working conditions could include but are not limited to exposure to certain commodities including corn, milo, and wheat
• Must be able to drive an automobile
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

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.