Seasonal Operator - Danville, VA

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Job Title: Operator

Location: Danville, VA

Role: Seasonal

Seasonal Operator

What This Position Is About

The Operator's primary responsibility is to operate the machinery efficiently and safely.

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

Operate Press:
•    Operate the hydraulic ram to press tobacco into containers.
•    Raise the ram and remove the container.
•    Read scales to determine if weight adjustments are necessary.
•    Place paper in the box, fold flaps, and feed into the banding machine.
•    Obtain moisture samples for quality testing as indicated by the LeafPoint system.
•    Enter data into the LeafPoint system.
•    Send moisture samples to the Quality department promptly using pneumatic transport with proper sample tickets.

Operate Grinder in the QC Lab:
•    Receive sample tubes from the packing area or JTI department supervisor.
•    Feed samples into the grinder, pour ground tobacco into containers with barcodes, and obtain portions for CPA analysis.
•    Pass samples to QC personnel.
•    Clean the grinder after each sample to prevent cross-contamination.
•    Inspect grinders daily for sharpness, blade clearance, and overall functionality.
•    Measure and register moisture samples.

Provide Other Quality Lab Support:
•    Test tobacco and by-product samples from various processing stages to ensure they meet quality standards as per the JTI Quality Manual.
•    Conduct tests to determine characteristics such as stem length, percentage of lamina, stem, and foreign matter content (NTRM) using scales and laboratory equipment.
•    Record test results on appropriate forms and systems (QUIMS).

Operate Sweeper: 
Important: Sweeper Operators will be randomly audited for toxic substances.
•    Drive industrial sweeper to clean factory floors continuously.
•    Ensure the sweeper is properly maintained and serviced.
•    Discharge the sweeper dust collector into the appropriate disposal unit.
•    Keep the machine clean and report any issues to the facilities maintenance team.
•    Follow safety rules while operating the sweeper as per company policy

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.
•    Maintain cleanliness in accordance with the 5S3R policy.

What Qualification I Need...

• Speak fluent English
• Have graduated from High School (Diploma or GED)
• 1 year of machine operation experience in a manufacturing environment
• Good physical condition to handle demands of the job, inventory contro
• 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.