Leaf Quality & Operations Director

Company: Japan Tobacco International (JTI)
Location: Tanzania
Job Type: Full-time

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About JTI

At JTI, diversity and inclusion are central to the company culture. With employees from across the world, JTI focuses on creating an environment where people can build successful careers while contributing their unique talents.

JTI is seeking a Leaf Quality & Operations Director to lead its Tanzania Leaf operations and ensure excellence across tobacco procurement, quality management, processing, logistics, and supply chain operations.

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Job Purpose

The Leaf Quality & Operations Director will lead the end-to-end Tanzania Leaf function, covering:

• Leaf quality management
• Green leaf procurement
• Tobacco classification
• Buying locations
• Tobacco receiving
• Warehousing
• Internal logistics
• Processing operations
• Inventory management
• Packed tobacco shipping
• Related administration

The role is responsible for developing and executing Leaf and Operations strategic plans while ensuring compliance with JTI global quality standards, operational efficiency, cost management, and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements.

The position will oversee performance indicators including:

• Quality Index
• Value Index
• Packed Quality Index
• Volume performance
• Price stability
• Commercial yield
• Non-Conforming Product (NCP)
• Cost optimization
• Operational efficiency
• EHS compliance

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Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Business Delivery

• Develop and execute annual Leaf and Operations strategic plans covering:
  • Green leaf pricing
  • Volume requirements
  • Quality objectives
  • Yield analysis
  • Market trends
  • Operational priorities
• Prepare performance reports and provide regular feedback to management.
• Develop market-floor strategies and operational improvement plans.

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2. Green Leaf Procurement, Buying Locations and Classification

• Manage tobacco purchasing activities at buying stations and market floors.
• Implement effective market strategies.
• Guide buying teams on:
  • Tobacco grades
  • Classification standards
  • External grading requirements
  • Internal quality classifications
• Ensure compliance with:
  • JTI policies
  • Global grade specifications
  • Tobacco quality standards

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3. Processing, Blending, Inventory and Warehousing

• Oversee tobacco processing activities, including:
  • Blending operations
  • Processing specifications
  • Stalk mill processing
  • Grade utilization
• Manage:
  • Green tobacco inventory
  • Packed tobacco inventory
  • Warehousing operations
  • Product traceability
• Ensure accurate inventory management through systems such as:
  • SAP
  • Leaf Point
• Plan and monitor:
  • Annual processing schedules
  • Shipping plans
  • Monthly operational deadlines

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4. Operations, Logistics and Administration

• Manage tobacco receiving, dispatch, and internal logistics operations.
• Optimize warehouse processes and operational workflows.
• Ensure accurate operational reporting, including:
  • Daily and weekly buying percentages
  • Tobacco volumes
  • Green leaf targets
  • Inventory movements
  • Management reports

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5. Quality, Cost Management and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and improve key operational indicators, including:
  • Product Quality Index (PQI)
  • Quality Index
  • Value Index
  • Volume performance
  • Price stability
  • Yield performance
  • NCP
  • CPK
  • Infestation control
  • Housekeeping standards
  • NTRM management
  • Cost performance
• Analyze operational performance and implement corrective actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across Leaf Operations.

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6. EHS, Sustainability and Compliance

• Promote a proactive Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) culture.
• Participate in EHS management reviews.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Factory safety procedures
  • Hazard identification processes
  • Management-of-change controls
  • Sustainability initiatives

Including programs such as:

• SRP
• MAS
• CPA

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7. People Leadership and Capability Development

• Recruit, lead, motivate, and develop Leaf Quality and Operations teams.
• Build technical capability through:
  • Training programs
  • Coaching
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Employee engagement
• Develop a strong talent pipeline for future operational leadership.

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8. Stakeholder Management and Projects

Collaborate with internal stakeholders including:

• Agronomy
• EHS teams
• Factory Processing
• Finance Department
• JTI Headquarters
• Inbound teams
• Management teams

Coordinate:

• Procurement plans
• Classification activities
• Processing schedules
• Shipping activities
• Improvement projects

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Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in:
  • Agriculture
  • Or a related field

Equivalent professional experience in tobacco operations will also be considered.

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Professional Experience

Candidates should have:

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in the tobacco industry.
• Experience across:
  • Tobacco buying
  • Procurement
  • Classification
  • Leaf production
  • Processing
  • Operations management
• At least 8 years in a management role.

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Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership experience managing multidisciplinary Leaf Quality and Operations teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic planning and execution abilities.
• Strong operational decision-making skills.
• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Tobacco grading
  • Tobacco classification
  • Warehousing
  • Logistics
  • Processing operations
  • Inventory management
  • Quality management systems
  • EHS requirements
  • Cost control
• Computer literacy with proficiency in:
  • Microsoft Office applications
  • SAP
  • BW systems
  • Leaf Point
• Fluency in English.

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Recruitment Process

After application review, shortlisted candidates may proceed through:

1. Phone screening with Talent Advisor
2. Assessment tests
3. Interviews
4. Job offer

Each stage is eliminatory and may vary depending on the role.

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Equal Opportunity Statement

JTI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds.

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How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official JTI recruitment portal.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY