at GROWMARK, Inc. in Bloomington, Illinois, United States
Job Description
GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com. See what it’s like to work at GROWMARK: https://youtu.be/CSVMnKCySsY * PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT* Responsible for development and implementation of operating procedures and controls for MID-CO Commodities, Inc. (MID-CO) to ensure efficient and effective operations. Manages the processing of orders and customer information to and from MID-CO’s clearing brokers and MID-CO’s Commodity Risk Consultants. * SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP* Supervises, leads, and develops all Broker Assistants supporting MID-CO. * ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS* Leads order-flow processing and responsible for the online order entry program for brokers, broker assistants, branch office, and customers. Works with them to establish efficient, standardized, and well-controlled processes in support of order placement. Documents processes to ensure continuity between staff and meet any compliance requirements. Provides technical support as required. Creates, reviews, and maintains order entry procedures and policies in coordination with the compliance department including, but not limited to order entry users, order processing, change management and broker assistant and risk consultant training. Provides oversight of daily trading activity reconciliations, long customer positions, open orders, important industry trading dates and proper communication of all. Develops, maintains, and ensures implementation of protocols for broker assistants to deliver premier customer service, including, but not limited to accommodating after-hour trades and customer requests. Identifies, evaluates, and implements opportunities to better utilize existing technology to improve the customer experience and more efficiently and effectively operate. Coordinates with Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to evaluate, recommend, and implement new technology for MID-CO. Administers and oversees the application of MID-CO’s margin collection policy and monitors customer’s margin accounts. Places customer’s futures and option orders and reports fills. Coordinate market research and merchandising strategy and the deployment of information with Commodity Risk Consultants. Serves as a primary information source and provides technical support for MID-CO and business partner computer systems. Responsible for ensuring other internal staff and branch office personnel are appropriately trained and available to resolve customer issues on a timely basis. Responsible, in coordination with the CCO, for the MID-CO Business Continuity Plan development and periodic testing. Coordinates on disaster recovery ofbusiness systems providers. Serves as the primary point of contact for sustaining interim business operations in the event of a disruption to order entry systems. Remains fully informed of regulations, rules, and standards pertaining to commodity futures trading. * OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS* Performs the responsibilities of any one or more operations positions in the event of their absence. Responsible for encouraging, supporting, and promoting innovative practices, ideas, and technologies within the team. Follows GROWMARK’s Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply. Performs all other duties as assigned. * _REQUIREMENTS_* Normally requires a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, agricultural economics or marketing-related area or equivalent and three or more years related experience in agricultural marketing, the ability to assist with grain marketing research and reporting, and the ability to learn grain marketing and merchandising strategies and recommendations for member cooperatives. Understanding and experience with agricultural marketing-related areas including marketing and merchandising strategy and recommendations, market information, conditions and trends; order placement-related activities including dispatching, margin calls, daily trades, reconciliations, and other control functions; and developing and implementing internal controls and policies and procedures. Licensed as an AP with the NFA or able to pass the NASD series 3 commodities exam within 1 year of assuming position. Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development. Proven professional communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills and the ability to establish and maintain working relationships with employees, customers, and other business partners. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks with frequent interruptions, prioritize work, and deal with deadlines while maintaining high attention to detail and customer focus. Ability to work hours other than those considered normal. Demonstrated planning, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and math skills. Proven leadership skills and the ability to achieve results through others. Proven ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment. Proven computer skills and the ability to use the computer to enhance business processes. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record. Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK’s policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position. We are an equal opportunity employer, including protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment may be contingent upon receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.