Tobacco Area Leaf Manager

The Area Leaf Manager will coordinate and manage all operations in the growing region to ensure the Company meets the production target required by supervising Farm technicians on their day-to-day activities. This role is also responsible for providing timely reports to management on potential tobacco production movement.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Timely prepare, implement, and continuously monitor a crop action plan for the production of the agreed quality, quantity, and cost of tobacco leaf.
• Timely evaluate and communicate the progress on the approved action plan and leaf center objectives to enable prompt, effective, and efficient decision-making.
• Provide professional and technical coaching and assistance to extension personnel and farmers to enable them to grow high-quality and high-quantity tobacco at optimized returns.
• Continuously evaluate competitor activity and implement counter-measures to maintain a competitive advantage.
• Disseminate company policy on Growing Tobacco to farmers and the community as appropriate for good corporate image.
• Implement, coach, and ensure compliance by all direct and indirect reports regarding all company guidelines and policies.
• Timely plan, forecast, and communicate Materials & Supplies (M&S) requirements for the leaf center.
• Identify, evaluate, and manage business risks within the leaf growing region, implementing short and long-term management measures.
• Maintain ongoing good relations with all local stakeholders and the community, local and national government departments, and the business fraternity.
• Direct and coordinate leaf purchases to ensure buying is carried out in a timely and accurate manner.
• Effectively manage loans issued to farmers to ensure crop quality and quantity objectives are met while minimizing risk.

Qualifications and Skills

The ideal candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, or Horticulture, or any related field.
• Possess self-drive and high integrity.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the field with the ability to demonstrate practical competence and knowledge in leaf grading capabilities.
• Good knowledge of tobacco agronomy and post-harvest activities, including curing, sorting, grading, and baling.
• Ability to relate physical characteristics of tobacco leaf to quality.
• Possession of a valid driving license.