Role Overview

As a Worker II, Operations - Grain at The Andersons in Fairmont, Nebraska, you'll dive into the heart of agricultural operations, ensuring the smooth flow of grain from farm to storage. This role is pivotal in the grain elevator operations, where you'll handle receiving, inspecting, and storing vast quantities of corn, soybeans, and wheat that fuel America's food supply chain. With 1-2 years of experience, you'll operate with a moderate level of supervision, leveraging your developed skills to keep operations humming efficiently. Picture yourself starting your day probing incoming trucks, feeling the weight of each sample in your hands, knowing you're the first line of quality control for premium grain products. The Andersons, a century-old leader in agribusiness, values precision and safety, and in this position, you'll embody those principles daily. Fairmont's location offers a strategic hub in Nebraska's fertile plains, processing grains that support local farmers and global markets alike.

Day in the Life

Your shift at The Andersons grain facility in Fairmont, Nebraska, kicks off at dawn, aligning with the harvest rhythms of the Midwest. You'll gear up in provided safety attire—hard hat, gloves, and steel-toed boots—and head to the receiving area. First task: probing semi-trucks rumbling in from nearby fields, extracting core samples to assess moisture, test weight, and purity. You'll log weights on digital scales, ensuring accuracy down to the pound. Mid-morning, you're monitoring conveyor belts and dryers, listening for unusual rattles and performing quick fixes like clearing jams. Lunch is a quick break in the break room, swapping stories with fellow operators about the morning's hauls. Afternoon brings loading duties—firing up a loader to fill rail cars bound for export or trucks heading to ethanol plants. Evenings wrap with housekeeping: sweeping bins, hosing down surfaces, and prepping for tomorrow. In varying Nebraska weather—from sweltering summers to biting winters—you adapt, climbing 180-foot legs for inspections, lifting 75-pound bags effortlessly. It's hands-on, rewarding work that ends with the satisfaction of a full facility ready for market.

Why Fairmont, Nebraska

Fairmont, Nebraska, is more than a dot on the map—it's the epicenter of Cornhusker State's agricultural prowess. Nestled in Fillmore County, this tight-knit community of about 500 souls boasts vast farmlands stretching to the horizon, producing some of the nation's highest-yield corn and soybeans. Working at The Andersons here means being at the pulse of ag innovation, surrounded by family farms that have thrived for generations. The town's charm lies in its simplicity: annual county fairs with tractor pulls, local diners serving homemade pies, and Friday night high school football under the lights. Proximity to Grand Island (30 minutes away) offers urban amenities like shopping at Conestoga Mall or dining at diverse eateries, while Hastings provides cultural spots like the Nebraska Prairie Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts revel in nearby Platte River trails for hiking, fishing, and birdwatching—home to massive sandhill crane migrations. Housing is affordable, with median home prices under $200,000, and low crime rates make it ideal for families. Nebraska's no state income tax sweetens the deal, stretching your earnings further. Fairmont embodies Midwestern values: hard work, community spirit, and endless blue skies—perfect for grain operations pros seeking roots in authentic America.

Career Growth

The Andersons invests in your future, turning Worker II into a launchpad for advancement. With internal training programs, you could move to Lead Operator or Grain Superintendent within 2-3 years, overseeing teams and complex merchandizing. Certifications in forklift operation, hazmat handling, or agronomy are company-sponsored, opening doors to roles in quality control or logistics. High performers access leadership development, mentoring under seasoned managers who've climbed the ranks. Cross-training across rail, truck, and vessel loading builds versatility, positioning you for regional transfers to Maumee, Ohio, or Champaign, Illinois facilities. Performance reviews twice yearly track progress, with tuition reimbursement for ag-related degrees. Many start here and retire as facility managers, enjoying promotions that double salaries over a decade. The Andersons' commitment to from-within culture means your grit in Fairmont's grain dust today fuels executive potential tomorrow.

Compensation & Benefits

Earn competitive pay starting around $18-25/hour, with overtime abundant during harvest peaks, pushing annual earnings to $45,000-$60,000+. Benefits shine: full medical, dental, vision from day one, plus 401(k) with 4% match vesting immediately. Generous PTO accrues quickly—two weeks year one, scaling up—plus paid holidays and floating days. Wellness perks include gym reimbursements, smoking cessation aid, and annual health fairs. Families appreciate dependent care FSAs and adoption assistance. Long-term, life insurance up to 3x salary and short-term disability protect your stability. Bonuses reward safety records and productivity, while employee stock purchase plans build wealth. In Fairmont's low cost-of-living, your package stretches far, funding dream homes or college funds.

Culture

The Andersons' culture in Fairmont pulses with Midwestern integrity, rooted in their Statement of Principles: integrity, respect, and excellence. Teams bond over shared lunches, safety tailgates, and annual picnics featuring BBQ and live music. Diversity thrives—veterans, women, and multi-generational workers unite in purpose. Drug-free and safety-first, zero-incident months trigger pizza parties. Mentorship pairs new hires with veterans, fostering belonging. Community involvement shines: volunteering at Fairmont Food Pantry or sponsoring 4-H fairs. Leadership's door is always open, with town halls sharing company vision. It's not corporate—it's family, where your ideas shape operations and celebrations mark milestones like 5-year anniversaries with bonuses and plaques.

How to Apply

Ready to join The Andersons in Fairmont, Nebraska? Visit our careers portal, search 'Worker II Operations Grain Fairmont,' and submit your resume. Need help? Download our application guide at here. Highlight experience in ag operations or equipment handling. Interviews are on-site, with pre-employment screening. Beware phishing—only @andersonsinc.com emails are legit. We don't accept unsolicited agency resumes. EOE M/F/Veteran/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. Drug testing applies; policy at talentacquisition@andersonsinc.com.

FAQ

Q: Is experience mandatory? A: 1-2 years required; ag or manufacturing preferred.
Q: Shift hours? A: Typically 6AM-4PM, with seasonal overtime.
Q: Training provided? A: Yes, extensive safety and equipment onboarding.
Q: Outdoor work year-round? A: Yes, prepared with gear for Nebraska weather.
Q: Advancement opportunities? A: Strong; many promotions from within.