Cotton Marketer

Primary Purpose:

The Cotton Marketer is responsible for supporting the marketing, merchandising, transportation, pricing, and movement of cotton on behalf of United Agricultural Cooperative, Inc. (“United Ag”) and its producer-members. This position serves as a key relationship partner between United Ag, cotton producers, warehouses, merchants, and transportation providers while ensuring agricultural producers receive accurate communication, timely market information, and competitive merchandising opportunities.

The Cotton Marketer is expected to operate with professionalism, integrity, strong market awareness, and a commitment to supporting the long-term success of both United Ag and the agricultural producers we serve. This role requires attention to detail, sound business judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced agricultural environment.

Success Criteria:

To be successful in this role, the Cotton Marketer should consistently demonstrate the ability to:

• Maintain accurate cotton inventory and producer bale identification records.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with agricultural producers, merchants, warehouses, and transportation vendors.
• Communicate cotton pricing, market trends, contract opportunities, and closing values effectively and professionally.
• Support increased profitability and marketing opportunities for agricultural producers and United Ag.
• Ensure contracts, logistics documentation, and bale records are accurate and properly maintained.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and accountability in merchandising operations.
• Operate within established risk management and hedging expectations established by United Ag leadership.
• Represent United Ag in a professional and service-oriented manner at all times.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Work directly with agricultural producers to discuss cotton pricing, marketing opportunities, contracts, and merchandising strategies.
• Communicate available contract options, cash offers, and market conditions to agricultural producers in a timely and professional manner.
• Educate agricultural producers on the advantages, disadvantages, and potential risks associated with various marketing opportunities and contract structures.
• Proactively maintain communication with agricultural producers regarding deliveries, bale tracking, pricing updates, and settlement information.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with producer-members while supporting the mission and goals of United Ag.

• Negotiate and merchandise cotton to merchants while seeking competitive pricing opportunities that benefit both agricultural producers and the Cooperative.
• Monitor cotton markets, trends, pricing fluctuations, and industry conditions impacting merchandising decisions.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate hedge positions and risk management practices in alignment with company expectations and leadership direction.
• Ensure all cotton contracts are accurate, complete, and properly documented.
• Verify bale identification, farm information, contract details, and shipment documentation for accuracy.

• Coordinate transportation and movement of cotton bales between warehouses, merchants, and designated delivery locations.
• Work closely with warehouse operations to ensure bale inventory can be accurately identified and located at all times.
• Assist in resolving inventory discrepancies, contract issues, or logistical concerns promptly and professionally.
• Maintain organized records related to cotton movement, contracts, shipments, and producer information.

• Prepare reports, spreadsheets, and documentation related to cotton merchandising activities.
• Maintain accurate records in company systems and assist with operational reporting as requested.
• Support cross-functional communication between operations, accounting, warehousing, and leadership teams.
• Follow all company policies, operational procedures, safety standards, and confidentiality expectations.
• All other duties as assigned

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. United Agricultural Cooperative reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties as business needs change. 

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands 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. Work is performed in offices, work stations, fields, sites, stores and meeting rooms.

The position requires extreme temperatures, ability to climb ladders, inspect equipment, enter operation areas, lifting up to 50 lbs, extending hours during harvest, dust and noise exposure, outdoor/ag facility conditions.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.

In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination and as required by law, United Agricultural Cooperative, Inc. does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law.

Additionally, the Company does not discriminate against an employee or applicant who acts to oppose such discrimination or participates in the investigation of a complaint related to a discriminatory employment practice. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant’s job qualifications, experience, and abilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business, Agricultural Economics, Finance, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in cotton merchandising, grain merchandising, agricultural marketing, commodity trading, or related agricultural operations preferred.
• Strong understanding of cotton markets, agricultural contracts, pricing structures, and producer business operations.
• Knowledge of merchandising practices, transportation logistics, and inventory management principles.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive business matters.

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years previous experience, preferred.