Lead Manager, Leaf

Minor Hotels Europe and Americas

Lead Manager Leaf overseeing operations of leaf receiving stations at Reynolds American. Managing grower relationships and ensuring regulatory compliance in a dynamic environment.

Posted 5/8/2026full-timeWinston-Salem • North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Pulsar

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead daily operations of assigned leaf receiving stations
Schedule, monitor, and manage farmer leaf deliveries, including sampling, grading, and purchasing activities
Ensure accurate and consistent grading and pricing of leaf tobacco across receiving stations
Monitor crop trends and grade conditions to optimize buying strategies, utilization, and volume deployment
Management station operations in compliance with applicable agricultural contracting laws and company standards
Build and maintain strong relationships with growers, serving as a trusted partner and primary point of contact
Identify, evaluate, and contract growers to meet Company leaf supply requirements.
Negotiate grower prices and resolve disputes within defined authority and governance frameworks
Communicate grower feedback, contract performance, and market conditions to Leadership.
Execute initiatives that embed and reinforce the Total Tobacco Concept across the grower base.
Communicate daily updates on crop conditions, grade projections, and volume expectations
Provide insight on market trends, competitive dynamics, and grower feedback to support strategic decisions
Provide support with the deployment and execution of offshore buying programs
Execute strategies that improve leaf quality, reduce variability, and minimize total delivered costs.
Lead and manage receiving station personnel to deliver operational, quality, and safety excellence
Communicate business priorities, operational plans, and performance expectations clearly and consistently
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and ethical conduct
Promote consistent adherence to operating standards that support safety, quality, and compliance
Participate in and contribute to special projects with cross functional teams
Support development and execution of agronomy and leaf system initiatives that enhance long-term supply sustainability
Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with Company EHS policies, safety rules, and regulatory requirements.
Implement and sustain programs that support company EHS and ESG objectives.
Ensure operational integration of EHS initiatives that reduce health and safety risk and environmental impact
Complete all required EHS training and actively participate in site and role-based safety programs (e.g., PULSAR observations, Safety Triggers, etc.)
Immediately report all injuries and illnesses and participate in investigations and corrective action development

Requirements

What you’ll need

Education: High School Diploma or equivalent and 8+ years relevant progressive work experience or Associate degree in Agri-business with a minimum of 6+ years of relevant work experience is preferred or BS in Business or Agronomy and a minimum of 4+ years of relevant work experience is highly preferred or Post-graduate degree in Agronomy, Business or related field and 3+ years of relevant work experience
Experience: Minimum 8 years relevant or combined experience in worldwide leaf tobacco.
Required Skills: Possess extensive knowledge of the RJRT, ASC and Santa Fe Internal Grading System - Preferred
Possess knowledge of agronomic aspects of growing tobacco.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Proficiency with computer programs used for leaf purchases (GLS, CGS, etc.)
Knowledge of all tobacco types used by the Company op-cos and their market trends: Flue-cured, burley, oriental, sun, dark and dark-fired tobaccos, organic and PRC-grown leaf.
A working knowledge of leaf stemming.
Adaptability, a flexible nature and a willingness to work in new and constantly changing environments.
Preferred Skills: Prior leaf buying experience.
Physical Requirements: Extensive domestic and international travel is required. Valid passport. Standing for long intervals may be required. Regular attendance at work.

Benefits

Comp & perks

401(k) plan that offers opportunity to save on pre- and post-tax basis up to 50 percent of eligible compensation.
Company matches 100 percent of employee pre-tax/Roth (401k) contributions up to six percent
Company contributes an additional three percent to 401(k) whether employee participates or not
Comprehensive health- and welfare-benefits package (including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs)
Health Savings Account start-up contribution for employees who elect the high deductible health plan
Flexible spending accounts for both Health Care and Dependent Care allowing employee to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified expenses during the calendar year
Employee assistance program offering 8 free counselling sessions, per issue, each calendar year for employees and their dependents
Company paid life insurance of 1x annual base pay ($50,000 minimum)
Company paid accidental death or dismemberment insurance of 2x annual base pay ($50,000 minimum)
Voluntary insurances offered at group rates: employee and dependent life insurance, AD&D insurance, critical illness, accident coverage, disability buy-up, and auto & home insurance
Tuition reimbursement and student loan support
Dependent Scholarship Programs
Free confidential personal financial counselling service
On-site health centers and 24/7 fitness centers at certain company locations
A charitable giving matching grants program that enables employees to direct and double their donations to qualifying charitable organizations of their choice
Health-care concierge service
Volunteer service opportunities
Extensive training opportunities
Company vehicle for eligible employees
Mobile phone allowance for eligible employees
Paid Leave: Sick and Personal Time (exempt employees may be excused with pay for brief absences; non-exempt employees receive up to 6 days)
Vacation (levels Below Senior Director receive 15 days (pro-rated during first year of service); Senior Director and Officers receive 25 days (pro-rated during first year of service)).
Holidays (Nine company recognized and two annual personal holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion)
Paid Parental Leave + temporary reduced work schedule opportunity
Funeral Leave
Short-Term Disability Leave
Long-Term Disability Leave
Jury Duty Leave
Military Leave
Released Time for Children’s Education
Community Outreach Leave
Other paid leave benefits, as required by state or local law

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

leaf gradingtobacco purchasingagronomic knowledgeleaf stemmingmarket trend analysiscontract negotiationEHS compliancesupply chain managementoperational managementquality assurance

Soft Skills

interpersonal communicationleadershipnegotiationproblem-solvingadaptabilityteam collaborationaccountabilitycontinuous improvementethical conductstrategic thinking

Certifications

High School DiplomaAssociate degree in Agri-businessBS in BusinessBS in AgronomyPost-graduate degree in AgronomyPost-graduate degree in BusinessEHS certificationssafety training certificationscontract management certificationsagronomy certifications