Are you passionate about creating products that make it from concept to commercialization? Do you enjoy solving technical challenges, working collaboratively across disciplines, and continuously learning in a dynamic environment?

Join our Commercial Product Platform Development (CPPD) team as a Senior Blender II (Senior Engineer II) and contribute to the future of smokeable product innovation.

This position is an on-site position that supports Product Development and our Manufacturing Operations in RIchmond, VA. Relocation benefits will be provided.  This individual will support the development and improvements for our existing and new products. The successful candidate will work with Leaf Blenders, Flavorists and Tobacco Processing to develop and maintain our portfolio of cigarette and cigar products.

What you will be doing:

• Lead projects providing technical expertise that advance product development and manufacturing capabilities across our smokeable product portfolio.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality and process performance while minimizing complexity in manufacturing.
• Provides direction, technical expertise, and approval oversight in the creation and maintenance of tobacco blend formulas for the Company's tobacco products. 
• Provides technical leadership on the sensorial characteristics of tobacco grades, component blends, specification changes, final products, and non-conforming products as a member of the Product Development evaluation panels.
• Provides technical leadership and leaf blend expertise in agricultural projects, tobacco purchasing, tobacco processing requirements, inspections, and physical and sensorial evaluations.
• Assures blend integrity and compliance is maintained through the development of leaf utilization strategies that provide direction to Leaf Procurement.
• Conduct scientific studies, technical evaluations, and product assessments
• Analyze and interpret data to support project decisions and recommendations
• Assist with product development, testing, and commercialization activities
• Plan and coordinate project activities with cross-functional teams while providing technical expertise and leadership in the creation and maintenance of tobacco blends and process specifications for new and existing products.
• Leads the proper documentation, creation and maintenance of processing procedures and specifications in support of legal and regulatory requirements.

We want you to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Engineering or related Science field is preferred. 
• Must possess a minimum of eight years of experience in leaf procurement, leaf grading, leaf processing, blend formulation and subjective smoking of leaf blends and grades.  Experience in primary/make-pack manufacturing is preferred.
• Must have expert knowledge of tobacco types and their sensorial characteristics.  An in-depth knowledge of tobacco processing, product design, tobacco, casings and flavor interactions is preferred.
• Must possess strong strategic planning and project management skills.
• Must have great interpersonal skills to work effectively with a diverse group of people and teams across the organization as well as suppliers.
• Must be able to effectively convey complex technical information to different audiences including Senior Management.
• Must be willing to participate in the sensory evaluation of tobacco grades and blends.
• Must be able to perform the duties of a general office environment, however, on occasion may need to stand, walk or climb ladders and wear protective equipment required of manufacturing environment.
• Self-motivation and direction, high initiative and flexibility
• Advanced knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Office, SAP
• Willingness to travel domestically and/or internationally to support business objectives
• Demonstrated understanding of how QMS (Quality Management System) integrates into Product Development processes
• Working knowledge of Quality by Design (QbD) processes and concepts