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Sustainable Tobacco Production (STP)
Hail & Cotton maintains a comprehensive program for STP that is subject to audits by recognized professional bodies such as AB Sustain. Our program focuses on environment, crop, facilities and people.
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Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
Our trained agronomy teams develop and implement sound agricultural practices with our tobacco suppliers. Through our internal and external programs — Hail & Cotton Global GAP Program and GAP Connections (USA) — we create awareness and cultivate positive environmental and social impacts. We help connect farmers to resources needed to maintain a sustainable supply chain for our tobacco products.
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Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and American Institute of Baking (AIB)
Partnering to help the tobacco industry comply with current practices established through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these practices are clearly identified and promote a clean working environment where the product and our people are protected.
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Quality Management Systems (QMS)
All USA facilities are certified to the guidelines of ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized compliance program that ensures top management commits to the quality of our product, on-time deliveries and promoting a safe working environment for all our employees. We are working toward implementation of ISO 9001:2015 in other operating origins.
Governance
Our Board provides leadership and direction to the business on ESG issues and is accountable for ensuring we operate in a responsible and sustainable manner. This leadership position is underpinned by a commitment to transparency and engagement throughout the business, which we continually seek to improve by strengthening our governance structures and practices. We recognize the high standards of governance required to operate in compliance with regulations and continue to meet stakeholder expectations.
Community Involvement
Hail & Cotton is an international company with a unified culture that adheres to a high level of business behavior in all our global operations, while respecting local laws, workforces and traditions. Our business is guided by our corporate values, which emphasize ethical behavior and dedication to our customers, employees, growers and communities.
Employment
Hail & Cotton provides equal opportunities to all persons with respect to employment and career development within the Company by practicing accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for the rule of law, and human rights. Personnel determinations are based on the individual’s qualifications and the merits of each case in accordance with national, state, and local laws.
Come be a part of the Hail & Cotton family.
Open Positions
Head of Agronomy
The Head of Agronomy will be responsible for the production of Tobacco based on the IPS model to meet the business needs of the company. The Incumbent’s additional responsibilities will include directing, promoting, and coordinating agronomy operations in a manner that will optimize HAIL & COTTON (Malawi) Limited’s (H&C Malawi) resources while managing both business and financial risks and aligning production strategies to address ESG requirements and farmers productivity initiatives in line with GAP & STP.
Additionally, the Head of Agronomy will be mandated with:
- Establishing a lean and agile agronomy team that can effectively multitask.
- Ensuring security of supply that is aligned with GAP/STP & ESG principles and that adheres to the Companies purpose, values, and mission.
- Creating productivity & efficiencies throughout the leaf production supply chain that benefit both the farmer & Company.
This position requires the ability to think strategically, communicate effectively and a positive, can-do attitude, that promotes teamwork & inclusion within the agronomy department and throughout the company.
Job Summary and Key Duties:
- Establishes departmental goals in collaboration with Leaf Operations and Finance under the guidance of the Managing Director.
- Develops and implements agronomy strategic plans, objectives, and policies that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the company.
- Assigns team members defined job responsibilities, maintains these job descriptions, develops performance standards, completes, and administers bi-annual and annual performance reviews for team members, plans and provides opportunities for advancement, training, development, and succession planning.
- Contributes to the development of policies and procedures for various activities related to the company’s assigned activities, such as: contracting, pricing, risk management, marketing of the crop, logistics – total supply chain.
- Develops programs to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the company’s agronomy presence in areas where we operate.
- Promotes company communication efforts at all levels regarding agronomy market intelligence, policies, procedures, and agronomy department direction as it relates to the assigned volume, ESG and ERP systems development.
- Communicates the strategic direction and needs of the company to the farmers, stakeholders, and the employees.
- Guides and directs the Production team in liaison with Leaf operations all GAP/STP and ESG related matters including Yields, Quality, Farmers net returns, Crop throw and Product Integrity, to ensure continuous improvements in a cost-effective manner.
- Engages with other external stakeholders to ensure that an awareness of the various agricultural programs undertaken by H&C Malawi is implemented to enhance the image of the company and its contribution to society.
- Facilitates periodic GAP and ESG assessments (audits) as required and provides guidance and follow-up to ensure corrective actions are appropriate and completed.
- Develops project scopes, budgets, benchmarks, and schedules. Strong research, decision making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are key.
- Must be fully conversant with data Analysis and possess the ability to read and interpret data to make informed decisions.
- Applies sound business principles and judgement in the management of the department. Develops annual and long-term strategic and operational plans for the Agronomy department.
- Encourages other Key departments (Leaf and Finance) to understand the business plan of the department and that efforts with other departments are not in conflict.
- Assures that the agronomy division team members understand company-wide objectives and how the agronomy department supports company goals.
- Plans Agronomy CapEx and provides business justification for fixed asset purchases, consistent with equipment replacement schedules or business conditions.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or related field with strong understanding of Finance, Marketing and Agriculture Engineering.
- Tobacco industry knowledge and relevant experience in tobacco production.
- Business and Entrepreneur savvy/acumen traits, strong written and verbal communication skills. Good computer literacy Highly proficient in all Microsoft applications – Power Point, Excel, Word etc. strong customer centric skills and approach.
- Must have strong organizational, problem solving, and analytical skills; ability to manage priorities and workflow with acute attention to detail.
- Awareness of industry trends, technology.
- Should demonstrate good communication with all employees and customers – customer centric and must fully understand all customer requirements, procedures, and needs.
- Must be principled and uphold the image and reputation of the organization and can deal effectively with a diversity of individuals at all organizational levels.
- Good judgement with the ability to make timely and sound decisions, versatile, flexibile, and willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
- Ability to work independently and as a team player. Must be proactive and work under minimum supervision and meet strict deadlines as required by management and customers.
Compensation:
- The position offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.
Qualified and interested candidates should submit their applications and Curriculum Vitae (CV) with names of three traceable referees to the address below, no later than 19th May 2023.
The Human Resources Manager
HAIL & COTTON (Malawi) Limited
P.O. Box 40214,
Kanengo, Lilongwe 4
malawi@hailcotton.com
careers@hailcotton.com
Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
HCIG Memberships
Hail & Cotton Memberships
Additionally, Hail & Cotton is a member of international organizations that promote business and ethical practices including:
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Promotes international cooperation in tobacco research and identifies best practices.
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Works to eliminate child labor in tobacco growing.