BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. We are on a mission to decrease the health impact of our industry
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to Be The Change. Come, join us on this journey!
British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a BLENDING EXECUTIVE in Southampton
What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?
As a Blending Executive in Combustibles you will be primarily responsible for the management of key operational tasks required to deliver the objectives and business strategy of the combustibles blending function. As such you will be highly integrated into multiple work streams led by senior members of the team, and responsible for delivering end-to-end work sub-packages. You will also take ownership of some of the day-to-day administrative tasks required of the combustibles blending function with clear governance and tracking. Depending on scope and scale, you may also be assigned full ownership of projects to handle delivery of in totality. These responsibilities will typically involve:
- Applying a strong understanding of BAT’s systems & process’ in specification & recipe management, work order requests, logistics & customs (sample import & export) – to ensure on time and in full delivery of critical tasks, timeline tracking is available to senior partners, and governance standards are enforced.
- Encouraging positive relationships with individuals across the business who will assist in or implement tasks being requested in other global locations. As well as a hands-on approach to performing tasks locally.
- Sourcing, consolidating, and interpreting large data sets from multiple sources (systems & offline reports) to generate, maintain, and records manage usable insights & trackers – mainly considering global blend and material complexity count, costs, competitor intelligence and commercial performance metrics.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Handle and troubleshoot delivery of pilot plant, sample room, laboratory, and micro-blending activities – from raising work order requests to retrieving samples and organizing evaluation sessions – based on instruction from workstream owner.
- Receive and record manage leaf and blend material code creation and extension requests (eg; for a blend source of manufacture change), ensuring they are complete and aligned to combustibles blending standards & governance - then seeks approval from principle blender before performing in systems.
- Create and maintain blends in BAT online and offline systems (Eg: SAP and ACD files) as delegated by senior blenders (creator capability – approval by Blender II or Senior Blender).
- Engage with Leaf supply chain colleagues to pre-empt and raise leaf stock and quality risks to be addressed – for example low nicotine crop forecast requiring blend maintenance in certain factories.
- Manage, under guidance of Senior Blenders, the development & implementation of new and modified combustibles blends; deploying with clear performance specifications, adherence to global guidelines and systems management where required (as and when projects are assigned).
- Contribute to the design of leaf quality and deployment governance process’ and participate in evaluations.
- Generate reports, trackers and insights for internal strategy development & performance monitoring – drawing from global commercial and competitor insights, leaf & blend quality, cost and performance trends, product sensorial performance data and factory quality metrics (eg: fill values)
- Participate in any blend / product ideation workshops as required to deliver necessary technical insights/ solutions.
What are we looking for?
- Technical, scientific or tobacco specific degree is preferable.
- Previous working experience within the industry in an Operations function.
- Strong skills in large, multi-variant data manipulation, analysis and forecasting via digital tools & databases (SAP, Power BI, MS Excel) and knowledge & experience working within tobacco manufacturing, quality, leaf sourcing, or within a BAT operations function (eg: NPI).
- Good level of proficiency in managing and reporting large data sets across common platforms (eg: excel, power BI, data lakes, etc.) – able to own, generate and maintain tools used by the team to report and forecast strategic scenarios to >90% confidence in data (leaf & blend costs, volume, and complexity)
- Pro-active & enthusiastic ambition to develop expertise in tobacco (from seed to smoke) across types, markets, qualities and including interaction of blend designs with casings, flavours and cigarette specifications.
- High level of proficiency handling specifications & recipes via BAT systems (SAP, Gloss, etc.) while encouraging strong working relationships with key collaborators in operations (Manufacturing, GLP, Quality, Product Development, Technical Shared Services, Finance & Supply Chain).
- Manages self with ability to build timelines and achievements for assigned work packages, influencing others to deliver committed actions and raising in a timely manner when necessary.
- Able to prepare communication material for engagement with senior partners across multiple functions (marketing, product development, operations, etc.) and demonstrates ability to ‘step up’ to responsibilities of a Blender II in specific cases (eg; limited project scope or period covering Blender II leave)
- Ability to provide technical training to junior members on non-technical functions.
What we offer you?
• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes
WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.
At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.
We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.
Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.
We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.