“One of JT International’s real strengths is the diversity within the teams and the spectrum of perspectives this brings: a passion for developing solutions is something that connects all of us. Very few companies in the world have as much diversity as ours.”

I first joined JT Group in R&D Packaging in 2009 as a Technical Print Manager. Through other roles including Lead Technical Printing Manager Global Packaging Initiatives and later Technical Services Director, I arrived in my current role as Packaging Technology Director for the newly created Packaging Technology Team.

I first joined JT Group in R&D Packaging in Trier, Germany in 2009 as a Technical Print Manager. In 2011 I was promoted to lead the OTP* Technical Print Team. Through other roles as Lead Technical Printing Manager Global Packaging Initiatives and later Technical Services Director, I arrived in my current role as Packaging Technology Director for the newly created Packaging Technology Team, which works together with Packaging Engineering in pack format development and creating future sustainable packaging portfolios for our company.

*Other Tobacco Products (OTP) : tobacco products other than cigarettes, E-Vapor and Heated Tobacco Products, e.g. fine cut tobacco, oral tobacco, cigars and pipe tobacco

“I've been amazed by the magnitude of the training portfolio available to all. If you see a need, you ask the question. You can truly tailor your own training experience with our company.”

In the course of my career at JT International (hereafter JTI), I have transitioned from focusing on technical projects within regional teams to taking on leadership roles, with a focus on developing people and strategy. Incredibly, these leadership roles are evolving just as quickly as the technical roles.

Also, working outside of my native country has made me far more aware of the importance of clear, concise communication. In my opinion, there are few better experiences than living and working in another culture. One of JTI’s real strengths is the diversity within the teams and the spectrum of perspectives this brings: a passion for developing solutions is something that connects all of us. Very few companies in the world have as much diversity as ours. And the one thing I’ve experienced more than anything else with our management and team is empathy. People are seen as people, not just a number on the payroll. Everyone is valued and their wellbeing cared about.

Although often faced with new challenges that have at times taken me into new areas, I have always felt supported by our company and been given access to training and development, allowing me to learn and grow. In fact, I’ve been amazed by the magnitude of the training portfolio available to all. If you see a need, you ask the question. You can truly tailor your own training experience with our company.

“I believe the biggest challenge we face is making the day-to-day tasks as simple and automated as possible to allow us to focus on adding value and ensuring that the packaging systems we develop create the WOW moments for our consumers.”

I believe the biggest challenge we face is making the day-to-day tasks as simple and automated as possible to allow us to focus on the more complicated aspects of what we do so we can add value and ensure that the packaging systems we develop create the WOW moments for our consumers.

Personally speaking, it has been very nice that I have been able to keep some involvement in long-term projects even with promotion to new roles. In other words, you aren’t limited to strictly what your current role is. And I would like to continue to build my network within our company and always seek opportunities to grow.

I was once given a wonderful opportunity to meet with some important officials. Initially, I thought I wasn’t the most qualified person for that role, but what I saw was that my managers had trusted that I was going to be the person best able to engage in informal discussions, present information in a coherent manner focusing on a workable solution. It challenges your thinking in your career about how sometimes the “obvious” choice isn’t the best one, and that has given me ideas in my leadership roles about how to help develop individuals and provide the best solutions to any given problem. I would like to continue to connect and lead people, build trust, be authentic and bring people together. That’s where JT Group is such a great forum, and it’s important to celebrate that.