Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Grain Weigher

🎯 Role Definition

A Grain Weigher, often referred to as a Scale Operator, serves as a critical control point within the agricultural supply chain. This position is the gatekeeper for all incoming and outgoing grain shipments, ensuring the precise measurement, accurate grading, and meticulous documentation of commodities. The role demands a high level of accuracy and integrity, as the weigher's work directly impacts producer payments, inventory records, and overall facility profitability. This individual is a key point of contact for farmers and truck drivers, requiring strong communication and customer service skills to foster positive relationships while upholding company and industry standards. It's a hands-on position that blends technical operation with interpersonal interaction in a fast-paced environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Agricultural General Laborer
Farm Hand or Equipment Operator
Customer Service or Data Entry Clerk (with an interest in agriculture)

Advancement To:

Scale Operations Supervisor or Lead
Grain Elevator Assistant Manager
Grain Merchandiser or Originator
Logistics and Dispatch Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control Technician (Agriculture)
Inventory Control Specialist
Plant Operations Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate computerized truck and/or rail scales with high precision to weigh all inbound and outbound shipments of grain and other agricultural commodities.
Meticulously obtain representative grain samples from trucks and railcars using automated or manual probes, ensuring the sample accurately reflects the entire load.
Conduct official or unofficial grain grading procedures to assess quality, analyzing factors such as moisture content, test weight, foreign material, and damage.
Accurately enter all scale ticket information, including weights, grain type, customer details, and quality grades, into the facility's grain accounting or inventory management software.
Generate and issue detailed scale tickets and weight certificates to drivers, ensuring all documentation is complete and legible for record-keeping and payment processing.
Direct truck traffic flow efficiently and safely on the facility premises, guiding drivers to the appropriate unloading pits or loading spouts based on commodity and quality.
Serve as the primary point of contact for producers and commercial drivers, providing excellent customer service and clearly communicating information about wait times, procedures, and grain quality results.
Maintain constant communication with elevator operators and other facility personnel to ensure a smooth, coordinated, and efficient flow of grain through the receiving and shipping processes.
Vigilantly monitor and manage scale-related inventory, reconciling scale ticket data with physical bin inventories to identify and report any discrepancies.
Uphold and apply all company policies, as well as state and federal grain regulations (including USDA/FGIS standards), to all grading and weighing procedures.
Perform daily checks, balances, and basic calibrations on scales and grading equipment to ensure they are functioning correctly and providing accurate readings.
Inspect inbound and outbound trucks and railcars for cleanliness, condition, and proper sealing to prevent contamination and loss.
Prepare and maintain a variety of operational records and reports, including daily activity logs, shipping and receiving summaries, and quality control documentation.
Maintain a professional, clean, and organized scale house and work area, reflecting the company's commitment to quality and safety.
Courteously and effectively resolve or escalate any customer inquiries, complaints, or discrepancies regarding weights, grades, or ticketing.

Secondary Functions

Assist with light maintenance and cleaning duties in and around the scale house, office, and other areas of the grain elevator as needed.
Provide support to the merchandising and accounting teams by verifying ticket information and providing data for settlements and contract applications.
seminate information on company programs, grain marketing options, and general announcements to customers during interactions at the scale.
Actively participate in all safety meetings and training sessions, consistently adhering to all OSHA and company-specific safety protocols to maintain a hazard-free work environment.
Assist in monitoring bin inventories and grain-conditioning equipment (such as fans and temperature cables) through the facility's control systems.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Scale Operation Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to operate electronic truck scales and a deep understanding of gross/tare/net weight calculations.
Grain Grading & Testing: Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn how to use grain probes, moisture testers, and test weight equipment, and to visually identify grain damage factors.
Computer & Data Entry Skills: Strong proficiency in using computers, with accurate and fast typing skills for data entry into specialized grain accounting or ERP software (e.g., Agvance, Bushel, OPI).
Basic Mathematics: Solid understanding of basic math, percentages, and measurement conversions for calculations and verifications.
Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with USDA and Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) standards and regulations is a significant asset.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Exceptional thoroughness and accuracy are non-negotiable, as small errors in weight or data can have large financial consequences.
Communication Skills: Clear, professional, and courteous verbal communication skills for interacting with a diverse range of drivers, farmers, and team members.
Customer Service Orientation: A patient and positive attitude with a genuine desire to provide a great experience for facility customers.
Problem-Solving Ability: The capacity to think quickly and logically to troubleshoot issues with tickets, equipment, or customer questions on the spot.
Ability to Work Under Pressure: The competence to maintain accuracy and a calm demeanor during high-traffic harvest seasons and other peak periods.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED is required.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Agribusiness or Agricultural Business
Agricultural Science or Mechanization

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-3 years of experience in a related role.

Preferred: 1+ years of direct experience working in a grain elevator, feed mill, or similar agricultural facility is highly desirable. Experience in a customer-facing role or a position requiring meticulous data entry is also valued.