Merchant Assistant

The role involves managing grain contract applications, invoicing, and accounts receivable/payable. Key responsibilities include assessing customer competence, ensuring compliance with contracts and financial agreements, and supporting Merchants and Originators with contracts, settlements, and customer service.

Essential Job Functions:

Monitor purchase and sales contract statuses and balances.
Prepare documentation for payment approvals related to shipments.
Collect outstanding balances from sales customers and calculate payments for purchase customers.
Ensure proper documentation for outbound shipments is provided.
Support Merchants and Originators in grain origination, contracting, and shipment follow-ups.
Adjust load orders and address contract issues, such as balance increases and missing information.
Close contracts and reconcile balances with customers, notifying the merchandising team of discrepancies.
Correct errors and execute cross-applications between purchase and sales contracts.
Enter necessary data from invoices and applications, and coordinate truck freight payments.
Participate in meetings and reporting, providing support for contract management.
Compile and report data regularly to support origination and merchandising efforts.
Serve as a communication backup for the Merchant/Originations team.
Communicate contract issues to Merchants and Originators.
Facilitate communication with customers.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Maintain punctual attendance as a key job requirement.

Experience And Education :

College degree not required but desirable, with at least 2 years administrative experience.

Qualifications & Skills

Strong attention to detail.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team.
High initiative and capability to work independently.
Comfortable engaging with diverse groups of people.
Proficient keyboarding skills (minimum 50 wpm with no errors).
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
Familiarity with office equipment (computer, copier, fax, phone, paper shredder, scanner).
Flexible attitude and approach to tasks.
Organizational skills in a dynamic environment.
Ability to work under pressure and prioritize assignments effectively.

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.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to touch, handle or feel.

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.

Other:

Normal hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility based on operational needs.
Overtime may be required and must be approved in advance; flexibility for holidays, weekends, or late evenings is expected.
High level of responsibility; must be trustworthy, ethical, and dependable.
Attention to detail is crucial for composing, typing, and proofing materials, while meeting deadlines and priorities.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with management, staff, and visitors.
Job performance significantly impacts the organizational unit.