Agronomy Grower Relations

Location/Department: Lancaster, PA – Agronomy

Status: Full-Time Exempt

Reports To: Agronomy Manager

About the role

As an Agronomy Grower Relations at Lancaster Leaf, you will provide technical and operational support for Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company’s grower relations. This position will be responsible for the supervision, technical oversight, coordination and recommendations of Company and/or Customer agronomy programs, guidelines and policies. This may include the selection of new tobacco production areas, recommendations of approved products, general agronomic production recommendations, development of agronomy programs and development of good agricultural practice protocols. The role requires both field and office work, as well as domestic travel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for contracted growers by maintaining regular communication, responding to inquiries, and supporting positive working relationships.
• Assist growers with production‑related concerns by providing guidance, coordinating follow‑up, and helping resolve issues that may impact crop quality, yield, or delivery expectations.
• Manage grower compliance programs by monitoring participation, maintaining required documentation, communicating program requirements, and supporting adherence to company, customer, and regulatory standards.
• Assist with development projects by coordinating field activities, gathering data, supporting trials or program initiatives, and helping evaluate opportunities to improve grower support and production practices.
• Assist the buying team with the receiving, inspection, grading, and purchasing of contracted tobacco by supporting operational workflow, verifying product condition, and ensuring accurate documentation throughout the buying process.
• Conduct regular farm visits and field evaluations to monitor crop progress, identify production issues, and provide timely agronomic recommendations.
• Support implementation and monitoring of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), crop protection, sustainability, and customer compliance programs.
• Maintain accurate grower records, field observations, compliance documentation, and program reporting.
• Provide training, guidance, and technical support to growers on approved production practices, product use, quality expectations, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor crop conditions, pest pressure, disease concerns, weather impacts, and other agronomic factors affecting yield and quality.
• Assist with audits, inspections, trials, research projects, and customer‑driven agronomy initiatives as needed.
• Ensure work is performed in accordance with company safety policies, environmental requirements, and applicable agricultural regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a focus on Agriculture or equivalent combination of education and on‑farm experience.
• Thorough understanding of agronomy practices, soil evaluations, and crop protection agents.
• Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate effective working relationships with local tobacco farmers.
• Technical aptitude, including PC and tablet experience.
• Valid driver’s license, driver history in good standing and ability to travel.

Preferred Requirements

• Tobacco production experience.

Benefits

• 401(k) match
• Pension
• Merit increases
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Short and long‑term disability benefits
• Tuition assistance

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.