Leaf Blending Manager

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Role
Permanent

Contact
Alfredo Laferte, Talent Attraction Expert

Leaf Blending Manager

Purpose of the role

Manage blend operations to ensure optimal utilization of purchased tobacco while maintaining consistency and quality standards established by JTI Global Leaf Quality. Oversee planning of blend volumes, pricing, and costs to align with budget and strategic objectives. Act as the key liaison between Leaf Purchasing, Leaf Procurement Implementation, and Leaf Processing teams to guarantee adherence to quality standards during purchasing, blending, and processing. Provide direction to Leaf Processing team, monitor leaf quality at all processing stages, and manage regrading and rehandling of non-compliant tobacco to ensure inventory accountability.

Areas of responsibilities

• Oversee operational, budgetary, and strategic planning, including standard grade (SG) volume forecasting for future scenarios (AS&P). Drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with internal policies and legal requirements to support business objectives.
• Optimize usability of purchased tobacco in highly desirable grades for JTI, maintaining consistency and uniformity according to JTI Manual through production monitoring and origin inspections with the LPI team.
• Ensure blend costs align with planning by monitoring tobacco purchasing, optimizing usability without compromising quality, managing inventory, and making decisions that positively impact lamina yield during processing.
• Perform activities according to risk analysis and environmental impact assessments, comply with safety standards, use PPE, follow company procedures for health, safety, environment, and energy. Contribute to achieving JTI's ESG sustainability goals. Maintain Integrated Management System requirements, including documentation and audit readiness.
• Ensure company policies and standards are clear and applied across the team through ongoing dialogue and feedback. Provide necessary information and tools, communicate performance expectations to cross-functional teams, while seeking process improvements and efficiency opportunities.
• Collaborate with Leaf Purchasing, LPI, and Leaf Processing teams to maintain Global Leaf Quality standards throughout purchasing, blending, and processing. Provide feedback on grading trends, hourly samples, and origin inspections. Work with shift supervisors to improve processing efficiency and flow rates while ensuring quality compliance. Direct shift supervisors to remove and regrade below-standard leaf and maintain inventory accountability.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree preferrably in Natural Science, Agricultural Science, STEM.
• Over 6 years of experience in tobacco-related activities, with full knowledge of tobacco quality (blend, internal classification, and tobacco purchasing).
• Advanced English, with strong communication and writing skills to interact with all levels of the organization, as well as with customers and suppliers.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project).
• Project management – negotiation, corporate governance.
• SAP system is an additional advantage.
• Understanding of F.C. and Burley tobacco leaf characteristics.

Our Benefits

• Annual Performance-based bonus.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Personal development.
• Medical/Dental & Vision plan for employee & family members.
• Life insurance.
• Mtaching 401 (K)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Family Leave up to 20.
• Short Term & Long term disability.
• Education/Tuition Assistance.
• Flexible dress code.
• Snacks & Drinks.
• Office Parties.
• Volunteering Activities.
• Employee Assitande Program - Councelling for employees & family members.

Are you ready to join us? Build your success story at JTI. Apply now

Next Steps

After applying, if selected, please anticipate the following within 1-3 weeks of the job posting closure Phone screening with Talent Advisor > Assessment tests > Interviews > Offer. Each step is eliminatory and may vary by role type.

At JTI, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you need any specific support, alternative formats, or have other access requirements, please let us know.