Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

HAIL & COTTON, a leading global tobacco leaf merchant, are currently recruiting for their Zambia Operations. The following positions are vacant.

Responsibilities or duties

1. Warehouse Operations Management

• Supervise and coordinate daily warehouse activities including receiving, sorting, grading, baling, packing, and dispatch of tobacco leaf and related inputs.
• Ensure correct storage procedures to maintain leaf quality and prevent contamination or moisture damage.
• Implement inventory control systems to track stock levels, rotations, and leaf classifications and efficiently manage other related inputs.
• Monitor fumigation, ventilation, and moisture control procedures to preserve tobacco quality and safe/secure storage of other related inputs.
• Ensure proper handling of tobacco to minimize losses, breakages, and shrinkage.

2. Inventory and Documentation

• Oversee the accuracy of all warehouse records including GRNs, dispatch notes, bale tickets, and daily stock reports.
• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly stock counts; investigate and resolve variances.
• Ensure all leaf/bale movements are recorded in the ERP/warehouse management system.
• Prepare daily operational reports for management review.

3. People Supervision and Leadership

• Lead, supervise, and allocate work to warehouse staff, including temporary/seasonal workers.
• Train staff in warehouse handling procedures, hygiene, safety, and tobacco quality standards.
• Monitor staff attendance, performance, and adherence to work instructions.
• Promote teamwork, discipline, and a safe working environment.

4. Quality and Compliance

• Ensure that all leaf handling processes align with internal quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with Agronomy, Leaf Buying and Sales Operations teams to manage leaf grading accuracy and non‑conformance management.
• Enforce Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and health & safety standards.
• Support internal and external audits and implement corrective actions.

5. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Enforce strict adherence to warehouse safety procedures, PPE use, and hazard reporting.
• Conduct toolbox talks and safety briefings for warehouse teams.
• Identify risks and implement preventive measures to avoid accidents or product contamination.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Experience needed

Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Production Management, or related field.

Certificate in Warehousing, Inventory Control, or Quality Assurance is an added advantage.

3–5 years of experience in warehouse operations, preferably in tobacco leaf handling or agricultural commodities.

Experience supervising teams in a fast‑paced warehouse environment.

Strong understanding of leaf grading, moisture management, and agricultural product storage.

Experience with ERP or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) is an added advantage.

Competencies and Skills

a. Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of tobacco leaf processing, grading, and storage practices.
• Strong inventory management and documentation skills.
• Ability to analyze stock reports and resolve variances.
• Understanding of HSE and quality compliance requirements.

b. Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Strong leadership and team supervision skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High attention to detail and quality.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet operational deadlines.
• Integrity, accountability, and strong work ethic.

c. Digital Competencies

• Proficiency in MS Excel and warehouse management software.
• Ability to use handheld scanners or digital inventory platforms

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Interested applicants that meet the criteria and reside within the mentioned localities (Chipata, Mkushi, Lusaka and Kabwe) are highly encouraged to apply.

• Supervise and coordinate daily warehouse activities including receiving, sorting, grading, baling, packing, and dispatch of tobacco leaf and related inputs.
• Ensure correct storage procedures to maintain leaf quality and prevent contamination or moisture damage.
• Implement inventory control systems to track stock levels, rotations, and leaf classifications and efficiently manage other related inputs.
• Monitor fumigation, ventilation, and moisture control procedures to preserve tobacco quality and safe/secure storage of other related inputs.
• Ensure proper handling of tobacco to minimize losses, breakages, and shrinkage.
• Oversee the accuracy of all warehouse records including GRNs, dispatch notes, bale tickets, and daily stock reports.
• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly stock counts; investigate and resolve variances.
• Ensure all leaf/bale movements are recorded in the ERP/warehouse management system.
• Prepare daily operational reports for management review.
• Lead, supervise, and allocate work to warehouse staff, including temporary/seasonal workers.
• Train staff in warehouse handling procedures, hygiene, safety, and tobacco quality standards.
• Monitor staff attendance, performance, and adherence to work instructions.
• Promote teamwork, discipline, and a safe working environment.
• Ensure that all leaf handling processes align with internal quality standards and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with Agronomy, Leaf Buying and Sales Operations teams to manage leaf grading accuracy and non‑conformance management.
• Enforce Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and health & safety standards.
• Support internal and external audits and implement corrective actions.
• Enforce strict adherence to warehouse safety procedures, PPE use, and hazard reporting.
• Conduct toolbox talks and safety briefings for warehouse teams.
• Identify risks and implement preventive measures to avoid accidents or product contamination.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of tobacco leaf processing, grading, and storage practices.
• Strong inventory management and documentation skills.
• Ability to analyze stock reports and resolve variances.
• Understanding of HSE and quality compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership and team supervision skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High attention to detail and quality.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet operational deadlines.
• Integrity, accountability, and strong work ethic.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and warehouse management software.
• Ability to use handheld scanners or digital inventory platforms

• Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Production Management, or related field.
• Certificate in Warehousing, Inventory Control, or Quality Assurance is an added advantage.
• 3–5 years of experience in warehouse operations, preferably in tobacco leaf handling or agricultural commodities.
• Experience supervising teams in a fast‑paced warehouse environment.
• Strong understanding of leaf grading, moisture management, and agricultural product storage.
• Experience with ERP or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) is an added advantage.