I've spent my entire career in agriculture and am seriously considering a change. Every role I've held has been in the Ag sector, and I'm currently managing a large grain terminal in the Texas Panhandle with 30 hourly employees reporting to me.
This facility used to have seven managers. Now it's just me, and the workload has become unsustainable. Leadership has promised to hire additional support for the past five months, but they "haven't found the right person" yet. I'm averaging 60 hour weeks and working most weekends to handle inbound shuttles and contractor work that can't be done during normal operating hours. To make matters worse, I inherited one side of the operation that was left in poor condition after a previous manager departed.
Across multiple Ag roles, I've consistently found the same pattern: significantly more responsibility than what was advertised, coupled with unfulfilled promises around compensation and advancement. I don't mind hard work, but the gap between my contributions and my compensation has become frustrating.
I'm now exploring whether it makes sense to transition into another heavy industry such as oil and gas or mining. Much of what I do at the grain terminal maps directly to those sectors. I oversee large scale bulk material handling systems, high volume loading and unloading operations, and complex conveyor and elevator networks. It's very similar to what you'd find in mineral processing, rail terminals, or midstream oil & gas facilities. I manage heavy mobile equipment, perform and oversee mechanical maintenance, and regularly weld and fabricate repairs on-site. Safety compliance, contractor coordination, inventory control, and keeping operations running 24/7 are all part of my day-to-day. At the end of the day, a gearbox is a gearbox and an electric motor is an electric motor, regardless of the commodity moving through the system.
Educationally, I hold a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and an M.S. in Finance and Economics, which have given me a strong foundation in operations, budgeting, and economic analysis that should transfer well.
I'd appreciate any thoughts from those who have made similar transitions or who work in these other sectors. Is it worth pursuing opportunities outside of agriculture, or should I focus on finding a better situation within it?

I have no real input other than to advise that you could pursue a job in practically any operations job. All cross over. Logistics, running a distribution warehouse, inventory management, and some plant management.

That's what I figured. It's tough because most people in other industries don't know what goes on in a grain elevator.
Heck, most of the town thinks that the one I manage is abandoned yet we unload 60+ trains a year and load 100+ trucks a day.

Another thing you might want to clarify is if you are able to relocate or if you must stay in the Panhandle. Will help determine what roles people might offer.

I'd be willing to relocate

StockHorseAg said:

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That's what I figured. It's tough because most people in other industries don't know what goes on in a grain elevator.
Heck, most of the town thinks that the one I manage is abandoned yet we unload 60+ trains a year and load 100+ trucks a day.

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That's why you clearly state your accomplishments in your resume. I wouldn't know what goes into managing a grain elevator, but I'd have to imagine a pretty quick look at their skills & accomplishments on a resume would give me a decent idea.

I've been trying to transition out of commercial construction to another industry for years. It's going to take knowing someone and/or a special type of leader that can envision the overlap in the skillset. Unfortunately, we are judged off our piece of paper and who we have worked for and in what industry before we ever get a chance for a conversation. And unfortunately majority of leaders and organizations want a plug and play so they don't have to do their job of mentoring and growing people.

Heck, I've been shot down time after time to transition from operations management to preconstruction in my same industry with having tons more experience building than most precon managers.

I say this not to discourage you but to target you towards folks you know or change your approach to the old fashion way of trying to set up an appointment to go and sell yourself. It's going to take a lot of resume sending and then get some face time with the right person.

Another piece of advice is to tailor your resume for skillset. Make the bulk of it describing your skillset, experiences, and specifics you've dealt with and then just list employment history as a list with dates. Be sure to highlight your financial acumen and responsibilities as well. Draft a good cover letter explaining it all and what roles you seek and why you fit that ties back to the resume. Make it easily customizable to various companies / industries.

It's been an uphill road for me and some is due to desired compensation/role because of a long, successful career in a specific industry. Not giving up though. lol.

Get on LinkedIn and hook up with the group called One Degree Ag Recruiting. I think the guy's name is Dustin. You need to have an honest conversation with him.

Best of luck to you. Declining ag margins, diminishing markets and consolidation have all the commodity companies frozen in fear. Some are going to emerge and be very robust and strong, while others wither.

Talk to Dustin.

PM me if you aren't on LinkedIn and need his contact info.

StockHorseAg said:

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Leadership has promised to hire additional support for the past five months, but they "haven't found the right person" yet.

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You know what's more difficult than finding the right person? Finding TWO of the right people.

Request that your leadership pay you for doing both jobs until they fill the role. The company will still come out ahead since they are only paying benefits for one person. Keep pushing until you get at least a 50% raise. Continue looking for a new job until that happens.

No one thinks like that. While it may be true, good luck with that.

I actually talked with a guy from One Degree the week before last. They are looking more for merchandisers vs operations people. I used to be a merchandiser but switched to operations since I like the mechanical aspect of the business more than the trading side.

Bummer. Keep looking. Hope you get the change you need.

Just sent you an PM. We should talk.

I work for a grain mill on the Gulf Coast south of Houston. Email me your resume and I will pass it along.

artsy.rowing-0j@icloud.com