Position: Agronomy - Grower Relations

Location: Lexington, KY or Hopkinsville, KY; Relocation assistance provided

Status: Full-Time Salaried

Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania, located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is seeking to fill the position of Agronomy - Grower Relations.

Our Company

Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co Inc. is a subsidiary of Universal Corporation, the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Lancaster Leaf manages Universal's dark air cured tobacco operations in all relevant traditional dark air-cured origins. Operations in Lancaster, PA. consist of a processing facility, storage facility, and main office which also houses Universal's dark air cured regional headquarters. The Company also has a cutting/flavoring line in the Dominican Republic. Lancaster Leaf supplies virtually all of the major cigar manufacturers in the U.S. with filler, binder, and wrapper from the U.S. and other origins. In addition to domestic supply, Lancaster exports filler, binder, and wrapper to international cigar manufacturers. Lancaster Leaf contracts directly with farmers in all dark air cured growing regions of the U.S. which include Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Agronomy - Grower Relations will provide technical and operational support for Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company's grower relations. This position will be responsible for the supervision, technical oversight, coordination and recommendations of Company and/or Customer agronomy programs, guidelines and policies. This may include the selection of new tobacco production areas, recommendations of approved products, general agronomic production recommendations, development of agronomy programs and development of good agricultural practice protocols. This position will also be responsible for representing the Company at various national and international meetings, and liaison between Tobacco Industry organizations and Customers. This position requires both field and office work, as well as domestic and international travel. The position will include but will not be limited to the following responsibilities:

• Primary point of contact for contracted growers.
• Assist growers with production concerns.
• Manage grower compliance programs.
• Assist with development project.
• Assist buying team with the receiving, inspection and purchasing of contracted tobacco.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree with a focus on Agriculture or equivalent of education and on-farm experience.
• Thorough understanding of agronomy practices, soil evaluations, and crop protection agents.
• Tobacco production experience, a plus.
• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate effective working relationships with local tobacco farmers.
• Technical aptitude, including PC and tablet experience.
• Willingness to travel, both internationally and domestically.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long-term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.

EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.