Leaf Processing Coordinator

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Learn more: jti.com

Role: Permanent

Location: Danville

Contact: Hayley Sharp, P&C Associate

Leaf Processing Coordinator:

This position exists to oversee one of the leaf processing areas: blending line, threshing line, redryer or prize room, with following responsibilities:

Machinery and operation: ensure all machinery are maintained and set up to perform the processing of tobacco leaf in an efficient and effective way, aiming procedures and processes comply with global quality standards and regulatory requirements. 
People: in charge to supervise a team of seasonal workers, providing functional & safety trainings and coordinate with line manager and EHS/P&C for mandatory trainings. Check absenteeism ratios, ensure minimum head count on the floor, coordinate with peers and managers on alternatives to high absenteeism ratios, validate and approve timecards. 
Safety & 5S3R: ensure machinery and safety behaviors are adhering to JTI standards, implement safety protocols and fostering a positive work environment.
Blend quality (Blending line only): ensure blend ratio maintenance, check bale quality, reject and rework defect bales. Ensure transactions have been capture in Leaf Point.
Non-processing season period: conduct deep cleaning and maintenance of processing equipment at the leaf factory. The role will also perform other duties as requested by the manager.  

Main Responsibilities

• People Management- Participate in the recruitment process of seasonal JTI employees. Train both permanent and seasonal JTI employees on their job responsibilities and on equipment operation. Set goals, evaluate performance, and provide feedback. Ensure employees adhere to safety protocols. Ensure the team has the necessary resources. Oversee work ethics and discipline within the assigned department, taking corrective actions if necessary. Approve timecards. Stagger break times for assigned seasonal workers.
• Run the leaf processing equipment  (be responsible for one of the areas listed below):
  Blending Line: Oversee the following areas: bales loading/scanning/weighing/moiture capturing, wire pulling, slicer, hospital line, 1st DCC conditioning, blending silos, and Helius sorter operation. Ensure blend quality by confirming adherence to blend sheets, validate bales and IG quality meet blend requirements, reject quality defect bales, maintain blend ratios, check quality integrety after slicer, push defective tabacco to hospital line, instruct hospital line clerk on picking. Verify hourly press sample to ensure quality conformity. Verify all data is accurately capture into Leaf Point by blending line data cleark. Monitor moisture and temperature in the 1st DCC conditioning cylinder. Regularly check silos to ensure proper loading for blend integrity. Troubleshoot any issues with line operations. Threshing: Oversee the stratus line, picking room, 2nd DCC conditioning, and all threshing line equipment. Ensure the product specifications are met on the threshing line. Monitor picking room employees to uphold quality standards and ensure all NTRM (non-tobacco related material) is removed from the product. Monitor moisture and temperature in the 2nd DCC conditioning cylinder to ensure the product meets the correct moisture and temperature for threshing to grade specifications. Oversee stages 1-5 of threshing. Troubleshoot any issues with line operations. Monitor the OPUS (stem sorter) and notify maintenance of any equipment malfunctions. Redrying: Oversee re-dryer silos, leaf and stem dryer, scrap drying, and TB5 sorter. Ensure proper loading of re-dryer silos. Dry lamina, stem, and scraps products to the specified moisture percentage and temperature per grade. Monitor and report any issues with the TB5 sorter. Take hourly press samples for the blending line to ensure hourly processing samples uniformity. Monitor the drying curve to ensure the final product reaches the correct moisture level. Take samples during MOPI changes (CAS1 sample) and provide them to the technical quality team. Prize Room: Oversee the by-products line, presses, lamina packing, strappers, weight verification, and re-feeds. Maintain general housekeeping of the small mezzanine and ensure the area around the presses is well-kept. Monitor the proper operation of presses and ensure the team follows all packing instructions correctly. Ensure strappers operate efficiently. Monitor and take actions to minimize discharge geneartion. Ensure all transactuions have bee correctly capture in Leaf Point. Check NSP (non shippable product) ratios and take action to minimize and correct discrepancies. Ensure re-feeds are managed in the most efficient way and that the correct grades are being fed appropriately.

• Quality of the product and adjustment of machine settings- Ensure the removal of NTRM (non-tobacco related material) from the product in the assigned leaf processing area. Monitor heat and moisture at all stages of assigned leaf processing. Identify tobacco spillage points in the line and report them as IWS DMS. Ensure the assigned team follows Leaf Contamination Prevention (Leaf CP) protocols (e.g., food, drinks, phones, bottles). Adjust machine settings to achieve the desired specifications per grade and report to the manager when necessary. Operate the HMI system to load recipes during grade changes and adjust machine settings as needed.
• Safety Compliance- Complete BOS as per schedule. Ensure adherence to safety policies in the assigned area. Collaborate with the local EHS team to ensure practices in your area of responsibility comply with EHS standards, including labor safety, fire protection, environmental and hygienic company rules, and equipment safety. Conduct safety dialogues with subordinates and perform safety walkthroughs. Verify adequate equipment safety guarding. Monitor work being performed in your area of responsibility to ensure individuals comply with safety policies.
• IWS (Integrated Work System) Responsibilities- Equipment Onwership: Perform daily tasks according to DMS and DDS cycles. Ensure timeely DMS check list completion for Safety trigger, Center Line (CL), Clean/inspect/Lubricate (CIL), and execution of IWS tools. Perform peer to peer hand over following the shift handover logbook standards. 
  Loss Elimination and Problem solving: track equipment losses and use root causeanalyses tools such as IPS and 5 WHYs. Support creation of standards and OPL (One Point Lesson).
  Capability building: develop and continuously improve technicals skills. Attend and support training sessions according to IWS progression.
• Cleaning & 5S3R Management- Complete pre-shift and post-shift daily sign-off sheets for toolboxes, and report any missing tools to the maintenance lead. Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with 5S3R standards (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Identify non-conformities and areas for improvement. Report findings and document them accordingly.
• Non-Processing Season and Equipment Maintenance-Conduct deep cleaning and maintenance of processing equipment at the leaf factory. The role will also perform other duties as requested by the manager.
• Other (if applicable)- Manage various tasks and projects as they arise and upon manager’s request. Support other processing areas with any and all needs by manager’s request.

Requirements

• GED or High School diploma, Associate Degree with a management or mechanical background is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment (preferably tobacco related) with an additional 1 year of experience in a supervisory / team lead role with average mechanical skills.
• Proficient in English with strong communication and writing skills, capable of interacting effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Basic understanding of the core business.
• People management skills (goal setting, delegation, performance evaluation, feedback).
• Good time management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Good communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Good understanding of different types of tobacco leaf characteristics.

At JTI we care for our people's well-being. In addition to the salary, you can enjoy the following benefits: 

• Annual Performance-based Bonus
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Personal Development Programs
• Medical, Dental & Vision Plan for employees & family members
• Life insurance
• Matching 401(K)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Family Leave (20 weeks)
• Education/Tuition Assistance
• Volunteering Activities
• Employee Assistance Program (counselling, 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.