Altria Group is a FORTUNE 200 company that owns the premier tobacco companies in the United States including Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and John Middleton. The companies' premium tobacco brands include Marlboro, Copenhagen, Skoal and Black & Mild. Altria also owns Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, one of the country's top premium wine producers and Philip Morris Capital Corporation, an investment company. Altria's mission is to own and develop financially disciplined businesses that are leaders in responsibly providing adult tobacco and wine consumers with superior branded products.

Altria Client Services' role is to provide high quality services to the Altria family of companies. We are currently seeking a highly qualified Grower Representative I to join our Domestic Leaf Procurement department in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining a sustainable tobacco supply needed to manufacture company products. This position also develops and maintains effective relationships with growers, while communicating and monitoring the company's Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Specific accountabilities include:

• Understanding and explaining Tobacco Leaders Program Contracts, referencing those requirements specific to grower performance and contract compliance while identifying potential issues and recommending resolution
• Managing grower relationships in assigned territory to assure a sustainable tobacco supply
• Communicating the company's expectations and requirements for tobacco production to each grower
• Administering Tobacco Leaders Program Contracts and correctly handling all documentation associated with contracting
• Providing current tobacco production information and resources to grower base that would enhance the quality of their tobacco
• Conducting GAP assessments and resulting remediation to resolve grower deficits
• Communicating reports on crop conditions, industry trends, and grower concerns to Leaf Management
• Providing supply-base management for assigned grower base
• Completing and documenting assigned farm visits, conducting crop and infrastructure validation
• Monitoring tobacco receiving to ensure tobacco meets quality specifications and terms set forth in production agreements

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's Degree in Ag Business, Business, Supply Chain is preferred or equivalent level experience
• Advanced knowledge of leaf and tobacco production: the ability to understand burley tobacco grades, as well as the ability to explain grading standards and quality requirements to growers while purchasing their tobacco
• Well-developed knowledge of agronomy
• Capable of identifying tobacco-related disease and pests and providing clear direction for sources of remediation
• Strong interpersonal, communication, influencing, leadership, analytical thinking, decision-making and presentation skills
• Well-developed computer, system & reporting skills (Microsoft Office, SAP, GEM, etc.)
• General to moderate budgeting, financial management and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to distinguish between colors, textures and smell in order to determine leaf grades, stalk positions and quality requirements
• Possess a valid driver's license and the ability to drive for long periods of time
• Willing to travel 15% of the time
• Ability to work in extreme hot or cold conditions, dusty environments and stand for long periods of time

At Altria Client Services, we recognize that our people are the reason we achieve our business goals. We believe in developing the leadership potential of our employees by providing them with opportunities for training, development and advancement.

In addition to the opportunity to apply and develop your skills toward key business objectives, we offer an excellent compensation package including a competitive base salary, comprehensive health/dental/vision insurance, participation in our deferred profit sharing program, as well as a relocation assistance package.

Altria Client Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other legally protected characteristic.