Seasonal Material Handler - Danville, VA

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Job Title: Material Handler

Location: Danville, VA

Role: Seasonal

Seasonal Material Handler

What This Position Is About

The Material Handler's primary responsibility is engaging in physical activities to manage and handle materials efficiently.

Join our team for the upcoming crop season, running up to 6 months from mid-August 2025 through February 2026. We're looking for reliable and safety-focused people to support our tobacco leaf processing operations during this busy and rewarding time of year. 

What I Will Do...

Responsibilities vary depending on the assigned area

Pull Wires from the Bale:
•    Cut wires opposite the knot of the Greenleaf bale.
•    Remove cardboard slip sheets and wires from the bale at the cutting station.
•    Place wires and cardboard in appropriate recycling bins.
•    Remove any foreign material that could lead to tobacco contamination or equipment damage.
•    Request stacks of tops and bottoms as needed.

Build Boxes for Final Product:
•    Inspect cartons for damage or contamination from suppliers before assembly.
•    Assemble one top and one bottom to create a box.
•    Add required kraft papers or chipboards for the given product.
•    Attach the proper pre-printed belly tag for product identification.
•    Place the box onto roller conveyors for packing.
•    Pack and unpack items to be stocked on shelves in stockrooms, warehouses, or storage yards.
•    Examine and inspect stock items for wear or defects, reporting any damage to supervisors.
•    Maintain cleanliness of the parts room and assist with maintenance shop employee inquiries.
•    Assist JTI staff in machine and facility repairs as necessary. Account for all spare parts consumed.

Material Handling:

• Remove stalks, off-color tobacco, and foreign materials such as strings, dirt, and paper from tobacco on the conveyor to ensure a clean and uniform product.
• Lift objects by hand and clean work areas, machines, and equipment using brooms and rags to assist machine operators and supervisors.
• Shovel loose materials like sand, gravel, metals, plastics, or tobacco into machine hoppers or containers.
• Drop pickings into designated buckets based on the type of material (dark tobacco, green tobacco, tobacco with stems, or foreign material).
• Pull degradation test samples according to the JTI Quality Manual (QC only)

Cleaning Designated Area:
•    Sweep designated areas, remove foreign materials, and discard them in appropriate bins. Collect and dispose of floor sweepings into designated metal containers.
•    Keep the area clean in accordance with the 5S3R policy.

What Qualification I Need...

• Speak fluent English
• Have graduated from High School (Diploma or GED)
• 1 year of material handling experience in a manufacturing environment
• Good physical condition to handle demands of the job, inventory control
• Safety awareness
• A clean background check is required, applicants with active criminal charges will not be considered

What Is In It For Me?

• Become a part of the rapidly growing global tobacco company
• Learn from the tobacco leaf processing team: gain valuable insights and experience
• Be able to combine seasonal work and spend rest of the year taking care of other business or family
• Become the talent pipeline for permanent JTI positions
• Earn competitive pay $18 per hour and be eligible for some additional benefits
• Receive returning employee bonus

If you're ready to work in a fast-paced agricultural environment and be part of a dedicated team, we want to hear from you!

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

You can also email you resume to:

People & Culture Danville peopleculturedanville@jti.com

Next Steps:

After applying, if selected, please anticipate the following within 1-3 weeks of the job posting closure: Phone screening with TA > 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. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with special needs. If you require any accommodations, please let the Talent Advisor know during the selection process.