Position Summary:
Primary function of this position is to play a key role in purchasing feed ingredients and products, managing inventory positions, monitoring commodity markets, and supporting competitive and profitable product pricing. Reporting to the VP of Feed Division and working closely with the Product Procurement & Risk Management Manager, this position is ideal for someone who understands agricultural commodities, enjoys working with markets and numbers, and can build strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Ability to sit for long periods of time.
- Ability to stoop, bend, and reach on occasion.
- Purchase assigned feed ingredients, commodities, and products to support production and customer needs.
- Monitor commodity and ingredient markets, including pricing, basis, freight, availability, and market trends.
- Work closely with the Product Procurement & Risk Management Manager to execute purchasing and risk-management strategies.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, processors, merchandisers, and transportation providers.
- Assist in negotiating pricing, freight, delivery terms, quantities, and other purchasing terms.
- Monitor ingredient inventories, purchase commitments, projected usage, and upcoming delivery requirements.
- Maintain accurate ingredient and product costs and support timely pricing decisions.
- Monitor product margins and recommend pricing adjustments as commodity, freight, and other costs change.
- Coordinate closely with feed production, nutrition/formulation, sales, transportation, and accounting.
- Identify sourcing, purchasing, and pricing opportunities that improve supply reliability and Feed Division profitability
- Perform all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.
Qualifications
- Experience in feed, grain, agricultural commodities, purchasing, merchandising, pricing, or a related agricultural business preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business, Animal Science, Agronomy, Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may substitute for formal education.
- Understanding of agricultural commodity markets and feed ingredients.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to evaluate the impact of ingredient costs, freight, inventory, and market movements on product pricing and margins.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the ability to learn purchasing, inventory, and feed-management systems.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively across operations, sales, nutrition, suppliers, and management.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:
- Perform duties in a professional office setting.
- Ability to sit for long periods of time.
- Ability to stoop, bend, and reach on occasion.
Skills Required
- Experience in feed, grain, agricultural commodities, purchasing, merchandising, pricing, or a related agricultural business
- Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business, Animal Science, Agronomy, Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field; relevant experience may substitute
- Understanding of agricultural commodity markets and feed ingredients
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills
- Ability to evaluate the impact of ingredient costs, freight, inventory, and market movements on product pricing and margins
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and ability to learn purchasing, inventory, and feed-management systems
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across operations, sales, nutrition, suppliers, and management
What We Do
United Cooperative is a full-service, member-owned agricultural supply cooperative based in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Founded in 1936, it provides agronomy, grain, feed, and energy products to farmers and consumers in the Midwest. The cooperative aims to provide its patron members with the best possible value and return on investment, backed by exceptional service and professionalism, and is ranked among the top agricultural cooperatives in the US.







