Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Kurt Paskal

Calgary,Alberta

Summary

Focused, w/ Sales experience, committed to motivating others and offering extensive knowledge penetrating new territories and promoting new and existing product lines. Highly effective mentor driven to assess individual and group performance to implement improvements and set goals. Determined individual with background in establishing and nurturing lucrative partnerships.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Grain Trader & Marketer

Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition
02.2024 - Current
  • Buying/selling/trading all feed grain commodities including wheat and corn DDGs
  • Experienced procuring pulse crops, including yellow peas, green peas and red lentils
  • Leading the organic feed grains team in Alberta & Western Canada
  • Built relationships with customers and suppliers
  • Promoted company name/reputation in marketplace
  • Collected daily market information and gained a comprehensive knowledge about the ingredients marketed
  • Managed risk by operating within established guidelines
  • Worked within defined position limits as well as established company policies
  • Worked effectively within a team environment as well as remotely
  • Develop and communicated a strategy for all my areas of responsibility
  • Managed key aspects for the execution of the business including Working Capital metrics as outlined by the company, annual budget preparation for the area of responsibility including expense management.
  • Developed profitable trading strategies by conducting thorough market analysis and identifying trends.
  • Assessed hourly market conditions to look for hedge and arbitrage opportunities.

Grain Buyer & Customer Account Representative

Viterra
04.2019 - 01.2023
  • Responsible for procuring grain products by building relationships directly with farm customers within a geographical area
  • Adds value to farm customers through educating and delivering information on grain marketing and contract programs that will maximize their business operations
  • Negotiate grain contracts from a defined client base within a specific area
  • Execute programs within an assigned market centre to meet budgeted grain volumes and margins
  • Coordinate logistics of contracts and related administrative requirements
  • Maintain and analyze a database of customer profiles
  • Analyze current and future agricultural trends and service needs
  • Develop and maintain effective business relationships with current and potential customers
  • Contact producers regarding customer strategies in order to increase awareness of customer/business needs
  • Drive and facilitate the competitive grain contracts offered at Viterra
  • Procured over 150,000mt of grain and pulses, each year, from 2019 to 2023.
  • Forecasted purchasing trends and improved merchandising strategies.
  • Participated in trade shows and conferences to stay informed of the latest industry developments and maintain a strong professional network.

Manager – Producer Relations and Livestock Field Procurement

SunGold Specialty Meats Ltd.
03.2014 - 03.2019
  • Contributed to strategic planning related to lamb supply and programs with Chair, CEO, GM SunGold
  • Reported (operational and strategic) to, as identified the objectives in plans to CEO and Board
  • Identified and communicated opportunities for further advancement of producer relations, lamb supply and programs
  • Managed all aspects of producer relations, lamb supply and 'Internal programs'
  • Developed key relationship and support resources to producers participating in 'program' production
  • Participated in collaboration to develop and evolve lamb supply contracts and relationships
  • Developed and maintained the network to find, meet and develop relations with lamb producers in Western Canada
  • Developed and maintained the network required to manage and ensure lamb supply for the plant
  • Developed and maintained producer relations to ensure communication of finished livestock requirements in terms of quality, consistency, weight, finish, condition etc
  • Whether program or non‐program lambs
  • Managed the procurement of finished lambs for the plant
  • Developed and maintained the industry knowledge and relationships to ensure optimal finished lamb supply
  • Ensured compliance of buyers, producers and logistics with terms and arrangements re lamb supply
  • Planned, communicated and supervised buyers, producers, logistics and the plant to meet objectives.

Farm Marketing Representative

Cargill
11.2012 - 02.2015
  • Worked one-on-one with farmer customers in a defined geographic territory to build productive, long-term business relationships, and develop a comprehensive understanding of customers' business and manage the account to the benefit of the customer and Cargill; achieved Sales, Gross Margin and Revenue goals through planned sales calls that present solutions and value propositions to Cargill customers; managed the credit allocated to customers; and managed accounts receivables according to established policies
  • Under the guidance of the Sales and Consulting Manager, developed, updated, and communicated customer-based sales plans that defined individual sales and margin objectives with a budget
  • Negotiated grain contracts daily, while also pricing, quoting and selling all aspects of crop inputs including herbicides, fungicides, fertilizer and seed
  • Set up weekly farmer call plans and weekly budget plans for grain and crop inputs
  • Led and planned various grain marketing meetings
  • Actively participated in weekly location customer focus team meetings, monthly location safety meetings, and regional sales workshops; contributed innovative ideas for the group's benefit, and looked for new opportunities in the marketplace; and participated in developing the Marketing Team's forecast for grain, crop inputs and program offerings
  • Proactively increased knowledge of the agriculture industry, agronomy, grain marketing, and products and services Cargill offers in order to continuously improve the value they can bring to our customers; attended sales, marketing, and community relations activities such as grower meetings, supplier meetings, community events, and field tours
  • Supported administrative and operations staff from time to time to ensure that facilities provide superior customer service.

Irrigation Sales and Design

Oliver Irrigation
10.2009 - 10.2012
  • Responsible for all Valley Pivot Sales within an assigned area in the Southern Alberta region
  • Sold & marketed Valley center irrigation pivots, irrigation pumps, irrigation mainline and other irrigations parts
  • Marketed and sold other major center irrigation pivots, including Zimmatic and Reinke irrigation systems
  • Developed quotes, proposals and sales orders for all clients and prospects
  • Assisted with parts and inventory daily and pivot and pump hook ups
  • Met daily with clients, mostly farmers, discussing future irrigation expansion
  • Earned a top Irrigation sales award for Western Canada in 2010 and 2011
  • Responsible for maintaining a good working relationship with many customers and farmers both over the phone and in person
  • Approached new customers with cold calls, both over the phone and in person
  • Travelled all over Southern Alberta maintaining past and current irrigation systems, making sure all parts and processes were running efficiently and correctly
  • Responsible for helping at various agriculture expos and irrigation seminars, which included designing and setting up of displays, speaking to groups and teaching individuals.
  • Leveraged advanced knowledge of design principles to develop creative solutions that met client objectives while maintaining budget constraints.
  • Streamlined inventory management processes to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project execution, resulting in satisfied clients.
  • Exceeded sales targets consistently, earning recognition for top performance and contributing to the overall success of the team.
  • Developed comprehensive proposals that showcased unique value propositions, securing new business opportunities.

Commodities Manager / Shop Manager

VRP Farms
05.2005 - 11.2009
  • Covered all aspects of commodities including barley, DDG's and corn
  • Bought, sold, and scheduled all commodities to three different feedlots
  • Negotiated and closed various grain contracts with customers on a daily basis
  • Managed logistics with barley trucks and cattle liners
  • Responsible for maintaining a good working relationship with many customers and agricultural companies both over the phone and in person.

General Labour

Paskal Cattle Company
06.1995 - 05.2005
  • Responsible for all aspects involved in maintaining a large farm and feedlot operation
  • Duties included feeding, bedding, sorting and treating cattle
  • Responsible for helping with seeding and harvest
  • Operated and maintained many different heavy machines including silage choppers, feed trucks, skid steers, loaders, and other heavy-duty machinery.

Education

Kinesiology

University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge, AB
01.2004

Sports Management -

Washington State University
Pullman, WA
01.2002

Sports Studies -

University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
01.2000

General Studies Diploma -

Lethbridge Community College
Lethbridge, AB
01.1998

High School Diploma -

Picture Butte High School
Picture Butte, AB
01.1997

Skills

  • Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills
  • Strong communication and negotiation skills
  • Reliable, kind, trustworthy - I strive to treat people well
  • Personable and willing to work with diverse and challenging customers
  • Self-motivated, dependable, self-directed & detail-oriented team player with a positive attitude & excellent work ethic
  • Commodity Trading
  • Relationship Building
  • Work Planning and Prioritization
  • Irrigation Design and Planning
  • Valid class 3 license with Air Brakes endorsement and can operate various types of small and heavy-duty machinery

Additional Information

I come from an agricultural background and have gained much knowledge and learned all aspects of what it takes to run a large farming and ranching operation. I have a lot of experience in operating heavy machinery safely and efficiently. Over the years I have gained experience and knowledge working in Ag sales procuring lamb, beef, mutton, goat, grain, fertilizer, and various other crop inputs. I’ve developed and maintained a strong base of growers, producers, and farmers throughout my professional career. I have built a strong foundation of relationships with many people in the Ag industry all over Western Canada. I consider myself an ‘Athlete’ as I grew up around sports, playing lots of organized team sports from hockey to baseball. I’ve coached and continue to do so and still try and get out and compete when I can. I attended Washington State University and the University of Iowa both on baseball scholarships. Before I left for the USA - I attended Lethbridge Community College and played college baseball at the Prairie Baseball Academy. I feel I can teach new skills that I’ve learned over the years, both in work and in athletics, to help other people be successful. I’ve been coaching High School baseball ever since my playing career has ended. I am currently on the board of the Prairie Baseball Academy Alumni Society and represent the Calgary and area baseball alumni. I'm also a volunteer with the Calgary Stampede to which I’ve been on the Agri-food committee for over 10 yrs. I like to golf, ski, ride my bike, play hockey, curling & softball, cook and do yard work. I have a 13yr old Boston x Frenchie dog named Norm, who’s my best bud. I enjoy the outdoors and I like camping and hiking with my family and my friends. I’m very close with my family and I always make time to go back home to ride horses and help with harvest with my family.

Timeline

Senior Grain Trader & Marketer

Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition
02.2024 - Current

Grain Buyer & Customer Account Representative

Viterra
04.2019 - 01.2023

Manager – Producer Relations and Livestock Field Procurement

SunGold Specialty Meats Ltd.
03.2014 - 03.2019

Farm Marketing Representative

Cargill
11.2012 - 02.2015

Irrigation Sales and Design

Oliver Irrigation
10.2009 - 10.2012

Commodities Manager / Shop Manager

VRP Farms
05.2005 - 11.2009

General Labour

Paskal Cattle Company
06.1995 - 05.2005

Kinesiology

University of Lethbridge

Sports Management -

Washington State University

Sports Studies -

University of Iowa

General Studies Diploma -

Lethbridge Community College

High School Diploma -

Picture Butte High School

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Kurt Paskal