Pyxus International, Inc.
Agronomy, Leaf Procurement Specialist
Pyxus International, Inc., Wilson, North Carolina, United States, 27893
Job Description
Reporting to the Manager, Agronomy, the Agronomy, Leaf Procurement Specialist is an integral part of the agronomy team and will be responsible for providing a variety of support to tobacco farmers across the US, including technical guidance to improve crop yield and quality to meet customer requirements as well as grading and evaluating tobacco.
The successful candidate for this position provides support to the Manager, Agronomy and Leaf Procurement team in the areas of data collection/reporting and in facilitating information transfer between the Leaf Team, universities, farmer's organizations, and growers.
Responsibilities
Obtain necessary records from growers to ensure GAP, ALP and contract compliance. Help coordinate the Green Leaf Testing (GLT) program according to company guidelines. This includes ensuring that sampling materials are provided to buying stations, relevant personnel are trained appropriately, ensuring all samples are properly submitted to the testing facility promptly, maintaining GLT records and spreadsheets, and reporting any issues or discrepancies to the Agronomy Team. Attend tobacco industry-related meetings, tours, and conferences to keep up with the latest news, information, and best practices in the industry. Assist the Leaf Procurement Team with administrative tasks, such as reporting spreadsheets, contracts, and other document preparation, presentations, and other support as needed. Crop Production
Monitors the Quality and Yield of crop Production, provide agronomy expertise and service to the stakeholders in compliance with Agronomy Standard Operating Procedures. Provides specialist agronomy support to contracted growers with the objective of ensuring the best agronomic practices are followed thus ensuring the production of a compliant, traceable and sustainable crop; Prepares and analyses the relevant Growers Management System (GMS) report/data to ensure that the Leaf technicians carry out prescribed GMS programs in a timely and effective manner that is aligned to the Crop Calendar; Checks through the Area Managers that selected growers are visited to ensure the quantity and quality of the crop production levels are being met in line with AO International, Inc. one on one program; Sets contracting due diligence standards, Confirms the identified number of contracted growers meet the pre agreed standards and that the obligations by all relevant parties are adhered to - this includes grower contracts with Primary Societies, Monitors the quality, yield, CPA usage and pest or disease problems in the crop and checks through the Growers, Area Managers and Customers that the production is in compliance with AO International, Inc. GAP and customer compliance programs; Monitors and verifies the data capture of crop size/estimates, yields and crop distribution is in compliance with crop calendar and agreed SOP in place; With Manager, Agronomy, develops and agrees on the annual tobacco budget data collection with the Agronomy Accountant for the specific tobacco growing area; Farmer Training & Trials Management
Training - sets farmer training material in line with regional standard and conducts staff and farmer training; Completes agronomy section of AOI leaf crop report; Where necessary manages tobacco trials in line with best practice; Validates and recommends CPAs to be used for tobacco in conjunction with Universities, CORESTA, and customers; Sustainable Tobacco Programs
Ensures that Agricultural Labor Practices, NTRM, Production, Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) and reforestation messages and programs are being incorporated into Tobacco Leaf production; Communicates both verbally and in writing with field personnel, AONA management and customers to determine requirements for improvement in crop production and the production of a compliant product; Customer and Stakeholder Relationships
Builds and maintains Customer and stakeholder relationships, promotes awareness on environmental issues and prepares for self-evaluation in compliance with AOI STP In conjunction with Manager, Agronomy - supervises and coordinates any relevant customers STP programs as required; Interacts with customers and their representatives and facilitate the timely and accurate submission of requested information; Organizes field visits for Customer and their representatives while ensuring all minimum AOI compliance and GAP polices and standards are being attained; Implements annual customer compliance standards and facilitates compliance with the standards and customer feedback; Carries out risk analysis of the contracted growers to establish compliant and non-compliant practices including but not limited to sustainability, agricultural labor practices and good agricultural practices in accordance with company guidelines; Qualifications
Ability to analyze, solve related problems and make accurate decisions Team leadership, interpersonal skills and results orientated Written and verbal communication Ability to plan and organize work on a monthly, quarterly, bi annual and annual basis Ability to innovate and manage change Ability to make sound business decisions Goal-oriented with proven ability to get results Must be fluent in English with excellent writing and oral skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams). Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of colleagues and external stakeholders. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent attention to detail and follow-through. Ability to interact, communicate, and present ideas. Experience with issue advocacy and knowledge of agricultural issues is helpful. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Life Sciences or related field is required Master's degree and/or CFA is strongly preferred Prefer 2+ years of prior Agronomy work experience, experience working with farmers and the quality and good crop production practices.
Reporting to the Manager, Agronomy, the Agronomy, Leaf Procurement Specialist is an integral part of the agronomy team and will be responsible for providing a variety of support to tobacco farmers across the US, including technical guidance to improve crop yield and quality to meet customer requirements as well as grading and evaluating tobacco.
The successful candidate for this position provides support to the Manager, Agronomy and Leaf Procurement team in the areas of data collection/reporting and in facilitating information transfer between the Leaf Team, universities, farmer's organizations, and growers.
Responsibilities
Obtain necessary records from growers to ensure GAP, ALP and contract compliance. Help coordinate the Green Leaf Testing (GLT) program according to company guidelines. This includes ensuring that sampling materials are provided to buying stations, relevant personnel are trained appropriately, ensuring all samples are properly submitted to the testing facility promptly, maintaining GLT records and spreadsheets, and reporting any issues or discrepancies to the Agronomy Team. Attend tobacco industry-related meetings, tours, and conferences to keep up with the latest news, information, and best practices in the industry. Assist the Leaf Procurement Team with administrative tasks, such as reporting spreadsheets, contracts, and other document preparation, presentations, and other support as needed. Crop Production
Monitors the Quality and Yield of crop Production, provide agronomy expertise and service to the stakeholders in compliance with Agronomy Standard Operating Procedures. Provides specialist agronomy support to contracted growers with the objective of ensuring the best agronomic practices are followed thus ensuring the production of a compliant, traceable and sustainable crop; Prepares and analyses the relevant Growers Management System (GMS) report/data to ensure that the Leaf technicians carry out prescribed GMS programs in a timely and effective manner that is aligned to the Crop Calendar; Checks through the Area Managers that selected growers are visited to ensure the quantity and quality of the crop production levels are being met in line with AO International, Inc. one on one program; Sets contracting due diligence standards, Confirms the identified number of contracted growers meet the pre agreed standards and that the obligations by all relevant parties are adhered to - this includes grower contracts with Primary Societies, Monitors the quality, yield, CPA usage and pest or disease problems in the crop and checks through the Growers, Area Managers and Customers that the production is in compliance with AO International, Inc. GAP and customer compliance programs; Monitors and verifies the data capture of crop size/estimates, yields and crop distribution is in compliance with crop calendar and agreed SOP in place; With Manager, Agronomy, develops and agrees on the annual tobacco budget data collection with the Agronomy Accountant for the specific tobacco growing area; Farmer Training & Trials Management
Training - sets farmer training material in line with regional standard and conducts staff and farmer training; Completes agronomy section of AOI leaf crop report; Where necessary manages tobacco trials in line with best practice; Validates and recommends CPAs to be used for tobacco in conjunction with Universities, CORESTA, and customers; Sustainable Tobacco Programs
Ensures that Agricultural Labor Practices, NTRM, Production, Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) and reforestation messages and programs are being incorporated into Tobacco Leaf production; Communicates both verbally and in writing with field personnel, AONA management and customers to determine requirements for improvement in crop production and the production of a compliant product; Customer and Stakeholder Relationships
Builds and maintains Customer and stakeholder relationships, promotes awareness on environmental issues and prepares for self-evaluation in compliance with AOI STP In conjunction with Manager, Agronomy - supervises and coordinates any relevant customers STP programs as required; Interacts with customers and their representatives and facilitate the timely and accurate submission of requested information; Organizes field visits for Customer and their representatives while ensuring all minimum AOI compliance and GAP polices and standards are being attained; Implements annual customer compliance standards and facilitates compliance with the standards and customer feedback; Carries out risk analysis of the contracted growers to establish compliant and non-compliant practices including but not limited to sustainability, agricultural labor practices and good agricultural practices in accordance with company guidelines; Qualifications
Ability to analyze, solve related problems and make accurate decisions Team leadership, interpersonal skills and results orientated Written and verbal communication Ability to plan and organize work on a monthly, quarterly, bi annual and annual basis Ability to innovate and manage change Ability to make sound business decisions Goal-oriented with proven ability to get results Must be fluent in English with excellent writing and oral skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams). Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of colleagues and external stakeholders. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent attention to detail and follow-through. Ability to interact, communicate, and present ideas. Experience with issue advocacy and knowledge of agricultural issues is helpful. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Life Sciences or related field is required Master's degree and/or CFA is strongly preferred Prefer 2+ years of prior Agronomy work experience, experience working with farmers and the quality and good crop production practices.