Grain Operations Worker Role Overview

In the heart of Michigan's agricultural landscape, The Andersons in Oakley, Michigan, offers rewarding Grain Operations Worker careers that form the backbone of our agribusiness success. As a Grain Operations Worker, you'll dive into the essential tasks of receiving, storing, cleaning, packaging, and shipping grain, ensuring seamless operations at our state-of-the-art facility. This role demands a blend of physical prowess, technical skill, and unwavering commitment to quality, making it ideal for those passionate about agriculture and operational excellence. With The Andersons' legacy spanning decades in diversified agribusiness and renewables, you'll contribute to a company that prioritizes extraordinary customer service, employee growth, community support, and shareholder value. Imagine starting your day amidst the golden fields surrounding Oakley, knowing your hands-on work directly impacts farmers, food supply chains, and renewable energy production. This position isn't just a job; it's a gateway to building a stable, fulfilling career in one of Michigan's most vital industries.

A Day in the Life of a Grain Operations Worker in Oakley, Michigan

Your typical day as a Grain Operations Worker at The Andersons in Oakley begins at dawn, aligning with the rhythms of the agricultural season. Arriving at the facility, you'll don your safety gear and conduct a quick equipment check on loaders, conveyors, and grain dryers. As trucks roll in with fresh harvests from local Michigan farms, you'll guide drivers to unloading areas, operating probes to sample grain quality and moisture content. Dumping loads into pits, you'll monitor flow rates to prevent backups, then activate cleaning systems to remove debris and impurities. Mid-morning might see you climbing silos to inspect storage conditions, adjusting aeration fans to maintain optimal grain temperature and prevent spoilage. Lunch offers a brief respite in our team break room, where camaraderie flourishes among fellow operators sharing stories of the harvest. Post-lunch, focus shifts to outbound shipments: weighing, bagging, or bulk-loading grain for transport to mills, ethanol plants, or export terminals. You'll collaborate with logistics teams, ensuring every pallet meets precise specifications. Evenings wind down with facility sweeps, equipment shutdowns, and logging daily metrics into our digital systems. In peak seasons, overtime opportunities abound, rewarding your dedication with premium pay. Weather plays a role—Michigan's crisp falls and snowy winters demand resilience—but our modern facility and heated cabs keep you productive and safe. This dynamic routine builds skills in every facet of grain operations, from hands-on labor to process optimization.

Why Choose Oakley, Michigan for Your Career

Oakley, Michigan, nestled in Saginaw County's fertile plains, embodies small-town charm with big opportunities. Just a short drive from Saginaw and midway between Flint and Lansing, Oakley offers affordable living with median home prices well below national averages, allowing your Grain Operations Worker salary to stretch further. The community pulses with agricultural heritage—corn, soybeans, and sugar beets dominate the landscape—making The Andersons' Oakley facility a natural hub. Residents enjoy the Oakley Cheese & Wine Festival, local parks like the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge for outdoor adventures, and easy access to Great Lakes recreation. Proximity to Michigan State University in East Lansing provides cultural events, sports, and further education options. Low crime rates, excellent schools, and a tight-knit community foster family-friendly living. For commuters, I-75 and M-52 offer swift connections to urban amenities without the hustle. Michigan's four seasons bring variety: harvest excitement in fall, winter snowmobiling, spring fishing in the Flint River, and summer county fairs. The Andersons' Oakley location leverages this prime positioning, serving Central Michigan's robust farming community while offering team members work-life balance unmatched in larger cities.

Career Growth Opportunities at The Andersons

The Andersons invests heavily in employee development, turning Grain Operations Workers into future leaders. Start with our comprehensive onboarding, including safety certifications and equipment training. Within your first year, pursue internal certifications for advanced machinery operation or grain quality analysis. High performers advance to Lead Operator, Grain Superintendent, or even Plant Manager roles, with clear paths outlined in our career ladder program. Cross-training across agribusiness divisions—ethanol production, trading, or merchandising—broadens horizons. Tuition reimbursement supports degrees in agriculture, supply chain, or business from nearby institutions like Saginaw Valley State University. Mentorship programs pair you with seasoned professionals, while leadership workshops hone competencies like customer focus and process optimization. Our track record speaks volumes: many executives began in operations roles like yours. Annual performance reviews identify growth areas, backed by personalized development plans. In Oakley, limited competition means faster promotions, positioning you for regional or corporate opportunities across The Andersons' nationwide footprint.

Compensation and Benefits Package

Earning between $38,000 and $52,000 annually (commensurate with experience), Grain Operations Workers at The Andersons in Oakley receive competitive pay plus overtime during peak seasons. Our total rewards package elevates your lifestyle: generous PTO with accrued vacation, floating holidays, and sick time; 401(k) with strong employer matching; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans; disability and life insurance; tuition assistance; wellness programs; and performance bonuses. Shift differentials and safety incentives add to your earnings. As a drug-free workplace, we prioritize your health with free screenings and EAP support.

Thriving Culture at The Andersons

The Andersons' culture revolves around our Statement of Principles: extraordinary service, continuous improvement, community engagement, and value creation. In Oakley, this manifests in team barbecues, volunteer days at local food pantries, and safety committees where your voice matters. We celebrate values differences, fostering inclusivity across backgrounds. Expect a supportive environment emphasizing trust, accountability, and resilience—core competencies for success. Casual dress in the field, open-door leadership, and recognition programs keep morale high. As an EO employer (M/F/Veteran/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation), we champion diversity.

How to Apply for Grain Operations Worker Position

Ready to join The Andersons in Oakley, Michigan? Visit our careers portal, search for Grain Operations Worker in Oakley, MI, and submit your resume. For application guidance, download our Applicant Guide. We review applications promptly; top candidates advance to interviews. Beware phishing scams—only @andersonsinc.com emails are legitimate. Contact talentacquisition@andersonsinc.com for questions. No unsolicited agency resumes.

FAQ

Common questions answered: What shifts are available? Rotating day/night with overtime. Is experience required? 1-2 years preferred but trainable. Does it involve heavy lifting? Yes, up to 50+ lbs. What's the work environment like? Mostly outdoors, seasonal weather exposure.