I am striving to develop cigarettes that can match the preferences of various countries and regions, to satisfy consumers around the world.
Product Development
Ayumu Goto
Product development of cigarettes manufactured in Asian regions
Work to create tobacco products that match the preferences of consumers in various countries and regions.
I entered this company in 2012. I currently coordinate with related divisions at JT International to work on product development and specification management of cigarettes to be manufactured at plants in Asian regions and launched in markets in various countries around the world. Cigarettes are composed of materials such as leaf tobacco, rolling paper, and filters, but even within the same product brand their specifications differ slightly according to country or region. In order to keep a globally-standardized brand image while aligning with preferences and regulations that differ with location, it is necessary to slightly change the combinations of materials and create products suited to the needs of consumers in individual countries or regions. That is my work.
With both struggle and satisfaction, my work gives me feelings of joy that can only be felt from the achievement of a mission.
After entering this company and completing a one-year training program, I had the experience of being transferred four times. I was involved in on-site work and quality management work at a tobacco manufacturing plant, then management and adjustment work for test manufacturing lines to verify new product development and new technology development, and was next transferred to a package development team. With each transfer, my work environment and the materials I handled were different, so it was very difficult to become used to them.
I still clearly remember the nervousness and unease I felt when I took over the role of packaging supervisor for a brand representing the JT Group, even though I had no previous experience. Packages are directly exposed to consumers and packaging work is closely connected to the first impressions of products, so I felt enormous pressure.
However, when I saw products with new packages that I had worked on lined up in stores, I felt a deep sense of joy. Of the last ten years working for this company, it was the period which was most difficult for me. On the other hand, though, it was also the time in which I felt the most enjoyment.
Providing time to think for myself and find a solution, rather than simply giving answers. Our culture at JT encourages personal growth.
I had researched genetic engineering in graduate school, but I entered the JT Group which was a very different company from my field of specialty. The reason why I entered it was that during job searching my main focus was a company where I could feel the comfort of working with people who matched my personality. I believe that over the many years of our working lives, the work we do is of course important, but who we work with is just as important. At our company, superiors as well as colleagues will listen to opinions and always give feedback. After that, rather than just giving answers to problems, they provide the time to think for yourself and find a solution. This company culture suits me perfectly and allows me to feel my own growth.
From here on I want to continue not being limited to any specific fields, and instead take in and accumulate a wide range of knowledge related to tobacco businesses. Based on this, I hope to make valuable contributions by implementing proposals and measures that can respond to the rapid changes of our current times.