Grain Originator

Sunderland Co-operative Inc. is an exciting place to develop and grow a career in agriculture. We are a member-owned Canadian Co-operative with deep roots in grain elevation and marketing, agronomy, energy, animal feed, and retail farm supplies. Sunderland Co-op has invested and matured in the agricultural landscape for over 75 years. With 4 locations in Sunderland, Oakwood, Lindsay, and Peterborough, Sunderland Co-op offers you a unique opportunity to make your mark in a growth-oriented company with a diverse set of business segments.

Position: Grain Originator

Status: Full-Time

Location: Oakwood, ON

Vacancy: currently vacant

This opportunity offers a competitive compensation package, including attractive base salary, paid vacation, pension plan, bonus eligibility, and company-paid health benefits.

The Grain Originator is responsible for proactively sourcing, purchasing, and supporting grain origination across our region and producer network. While this includes a vast number of existing customer relationships, a critical component to this role will be to seek-out, prospect, and develop new business and profitable producer relationships.

This position requires a highly engaged, relationship-driven individual. The successful candidate will play a key part in supporting our grain procurement strategy by building strong partnerships with producers, understanding market trends, programs, and securing grain supply to meet organizational needs.

Key Responsibilities

Grain Procurement & Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with current and prospective growers
• Develop and execute growth strategies, aligned with site capacity and company goals
• Proactively originate grain through on-farm visits, calls, texts, emails, and ongoing account management
• Understand each grower’s operation, crop plans, and marketing style to offer tailored contracting options
• Execute grain contracts from negotiating pricing to coordinating and scheduling on-farm pick-ups

Operational Awareness & Support

• Maintain active communication with elevator personnel to understand receiving capacity, quality needs, inventory positions, and any operational challenges
• Be fully engaged in harvest operations, offering support and being available during extended hours as required by seasonal demands
• Support operations and logistics with accurate delivery scheduling, problem-solving, and customer coordination
• Participate in operational planning meetings to stay aligned with site needs and company-wide goals

Market Intelligence & Contracting

• Monitor grain markets, basis levels, crop production trends, and global commodity drivers
• Provide timely market insights and risk-management recommendations to growers
• Provide merchandising support and back-up to Grain Division Manager
• Execute and manage a variety of grain purchasing contracts (cash, basis, futures-to-arrive, production, specialty programs, IP soybeans, etc.).
• Work with the merchandising team to set competitive and profitable bid structures.

Strategic Alignment and Sustainability

• Assist in the organization, planning and presentation of grain marketing educational programs to further foster partnerships, learning, community, and growth
• Develop Grain Division end-to-end expertise under the mentorship of the Grain Division Manager to deepen support capabilities and potential for future succession
• Promote all business divisions within the Co-op to new and existing customers
• Assist with Agronomy sales and capability development to bolster company bench strength, customer service, and sales opportunities

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• 3–5 years experience or related University/College degree specializing in Ag Economics, Marketing, Sales, or Agri-Business
• A solid understanding of the grain market and/or commodity risk management
• Working knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office and operating systems

Requirements:

• Strong communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Highly organized with strong follow-through capabilities
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and customer focus
• Ability to build trust and credibility in professional relationships
• Ability to assess business opportunities and negotiate agreements
• Demonstrated planning, problem solving and organizational skills
• Must maintain a valid G driver’s license and willingness to travel within the territory
• Ability to work extended hours, particularly during peak seasons
• Occasional lifting and carrying items weighing up to 55 lbs
• Other duties as required or assigned

Sunderland Co-operative Inc. offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive training program along with the opportunity to join an industry leader in full service ag retail and supply in Central Ontario. If you are interested in an exciting career in agriculture and developing innovative solutions, while enhancing the profitability of our members, we want to meet you!

Sunderland Co-operative Inc. is an equal opportunity employer who does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, or age.