Management Basics for Grain Facility Supervisors is a self-paced, on-demand course takes approximately six hours to complete and offers full flexibility for busy schedules. Learners can start whenever they’re ready, pause at any point, and pick up right where they left off. After registration, a confirmation email will be sent with immediate access, so you can begin learning at your convenience.
Cost:
$495 for members $795 for non-members.
Course Description
Step confidently into your leadership role with Management Basics for Grain Facility Supervisors. This 11-module course is tailored specifically for frontline leaders in grain handling and processing facilities, providing the essential knowledge and skills to manage daily operations and drive long-term success. From leading teams and ensuring workplace safety to overseeing maintenance, budgets, inventory, marketing, and capital projects, each module delivers practical insights and actionable tools designed for the grain industries. Whether you are new to a supervisory role or looking to strengthen your foundational skills, this course equips you to make informed decisions, lead effectively, and build a safe, productive and efficient facility.
Course Goals
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the core duties, responsibilities, and expectations of supervisors in grain facilities. It highlights the essential knowledge and skills supervisors need to manage teams, operations, and resources effectively—and explains why each area is critical to facility success. Designed as both a training tool for new and emerging supervisors and a refresher for experienced leaders, the course equips participants to navigate daily challenges, make informed decisions, and support safe, efficient and profitable facility operations.
Target Audience
This course is ideal for new or aspiring supervisors and managers in grain handling and processing facilities. It also benefits companies training new leaders, facility owners, and current managers seeking to strengthen their skills across leadership, safety, operations and project management.
The Course of Study
Module 1: Leadership, Management, and Supervision Details
Build a strong foundation in managing and leading your team effectively. Learn how to conduct new hire orientations, craft clear job descriptions, evaluate performance, delegate tasks efficiently, and strengthen your communication skills to keep your team aligned and productive.
Module 2: Safety Management Details
Learn strategies to create and maintain a safe work environment in your grain facility. Develop safety management programs, communicate hazards effectively, implement emergency action plans, and train new employees and contractors on essential safety practices.
Module 3: Maintenance Management Details
Effective maintenance drives both safety and profitability. This video module demonstrates how to spot hazards from maintenance failures, engage proactively with your team, prioritize critical tasks versus flexible projects, and schedule maintenance without disrupting daily operations.
Module 4 – Policies and Procedures Details
Navigate your facility’s policies and procedures with confidence. Identify essential resources, tackle common challenges, communicate effectively, make informed decisions within your network, and prepare the right questions to clarify procedures.
Module 5: Regulatory Compliance Details
Stay ahead of regulations to keep your facility running smoothly. Identify key regulatory agencies, explore helpful resources, implement best practices for record keeping, and prepare for inspections with confidence.
Module 6: Inventory Management Details
Learn how effective inventory management supports smooth and profitable operations. This module covers the importance of accurate grain inventories, identifies common barriers, analyzes key operational functions, and highlights the role of precise documentation.
Module 7: Marketing and Transportation Details
Explore the key elements of grain marketing and transportation. Examine hedging strategies to reduce financial risk, review transportation contracts, manage timely car releases, and ensure accurate weights.
Module 8: Basic Accounting for Grain Facility Managers Details
Accounting practices directly influence your facility’s performance and profitability. Examine the financial impact of grain moving through the facility, consider how grain quality affects profits, practice accurate data entry, and recognize common accounting issues.
Module 9: Budget Management Details
Plan and manage your facility’s resources effectively. Understand the purpose and process of creating a budget, align plans with organizational goals, follow correct budget coding practices, and analyze monthly budget reviews.
Module 10: Insurance Management Details
Insurance and risk management affect both operations and finances. Explore the impact of injuries and claims, implement key loss control measures, navigate the claim handling process, use risk mitigation strategies, and complete incident reports accurately.
Module 11: Capital Project Planning and Management Details
Oversee capital projects from start to finish. This module covers selecting a project, understanding the four phases of project management, reviewing bid packages and proposals, and exploring the responsibilities of a capital project manager.
Contributors:
GEAPS extends a special thanks to grain industry professionals who contributed their time and expertise to make this course valuable for learners.
Holly Betten Senior Director of Membership, Chapter Services and Personnel Development, GEAPS
Scott Biel Director of Safety, MKC
Jeff Trudell Processing Sales Rep, BCI
Marcus Neale VP Procurement Ops WGP, The Wenger Group
Julie Waltz CEO and Principal Safety Consultant, R & J Safety LLC
Jim Voigt President, JFV Solutions
Jeff Hahn Operations & Safety Manager, Agrex Inc.
Chris Augustine Director of Financial Reporting, MKC
