Leaf Buyer at British American Tobacco

Job Number:  30965

British American Tobacco has an exciting opportunity for 6 Leaf Buyers to join our team in Kenya.

Purpose Statement:

Optimal & efficiently handle the purchases of BATK tobacco bales from our contracted farmers and bought at central Purchasing points in Leaf centers. Continuously work to improve the leaf buying process by ensuring tobacco quality requirement standards are maintained.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for buying/selecting according to farmer grade standards, allocating accurate grade for a given quality. Management of seasonal employees and partnerships. Product knowledge, Coordination of leaf center buying operations to ensure smooth and timely buying process execution.
• To assist in the training and daily management of seasonal buyers and graders and train farmers in various quality parameters
• Purchase company desired leaf volume (ensuring maximum loan recovery) at company target average farmer price and within the approved commercial estimate observing defined control procedures
• Ensure stock management  is aligned with the company stock policy & procedures
• Monitor buying labour recruited by service providers to ensure they conform to the stipulated government and company guidelines
• Analyze daily market data in liaison with the Leaf center management and take corrective action where gaps exist and come up with actions that can help improve the buying control environment.
• Ensure and apply the technical concepts of official classification and Internal classification of tobacco in its practical application, which are in accordance with current legislation and with the objectives of cost of purchase and blend, ensuring the physical, chemical and sensorial qualities.
• Prepares and labels the tobacco samples as per the internal grades collected from pre-season farmer visits and from the tobacco buying line, and lays these out for inspection by Customers;
• Proactively make a follow up on any variances after the markets ensuring that such variances are fully reconciled before the next market.
• Ensure compliance with internal EHS safety policies and standards, as well as the updating of EHS system operational standards e.g Pulsar , Weekly prevention dialogues,  safe work procedures, ensuring the safety of people and the organization and cleanliness of facilities and equipment. Ensure EHS policies are carried out in the Buying operations.
• Perform field audits, crop verification exercises, qualitative assessment, planting estimation, and other specific demands. Carrying out seed bed and plant count verification.

Skills and Experience:

• B.Sc  in Agriculture, Agribusiness or Horticulture
• Self-drive and high integrity
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the field with ability to demonstrate practical competence knowledge in leaf grading capabilities.
• Good knowledge of tobacco agronomy and postharvest activities including curing, sorting, grading and baling.
• Ability to relate physical characteristics of tobacco leaf to quality.