When Raghav Puri was growing up, JTI’s field sales representative was a regular at his parents’ convenience store near Heathrow. Years later, after graduating with a law degree, Raghav applied for a role at JTI and found himself on the same team as the rep he recognised from years before. “It felt full circle,” he says.
On the road with retailers
Raghav started in the field as an Agile Business Advisor (ABA), before securing his own patch as a Business Advisor (BA). The job was hands‑on and retail‑first: visiting independent, symbol, key managed, convenience and wholesale accounts, building distribution on new launches over cycles and ensuring stock availability. “Your goal is simple,” he says. “Grow the category, protect availability and help the retailer win.”
From field execution to ‘mission control’
In 2022 Raghav moved into the office as a Commercial Planning Executive, a team that connects brand plans with field execution. Two years on he’s a Sales Planning Manager. “A typical day is a table full of ideas,” he says. “You’re brought in to test what will fly in the real world – then make it happen.” That means brainstorming activities, aligning with marketing and legal, checking stock with forecasting and working with JTI’s logistics partners so the field team get the right kit on time. “There are a lot of spinning plates, but that’s the fun.”
Growth you can feel – on day one and year six
Raghav credits JTI with stretching him at every stage of his career journey. In his first year he completed a train‑to‑train course and went on to coach new joiners in the field sales team – one of whom is now an Area Sales Manager. He’s had exposure to senior meetings, plus a global mentor based in JTI Canada: “You’re talking to executive‑level leaders about your next move, confidentially and constructively.” Personal support has matched the professional: “The private healthcare and manager flexibility were brilliant when I had health issues. And it’s a genuinely open‑door culture; I can literally knock on the General Manager’s door.”
Thinking about a career in sales?
Raghav’s advice is to arrive curious and keep your options open. “I planned to stay two years. Six years later, I’m still learning.” JTI offers sales apprenticeships, the foundations for which are communication, organisation and relationship‑building: “You’ll get to know retailers and their families. If that appeals, you’ll thrive.” With coaching, mentoring, clear progression and opportunities in over 130 JTI markets for those who want to gain international experience, the pathways are wide open. “People at JTI will help you get where you want to go. You just need to meet them halfway.”
Why it matters to retailers
Whether in the field or in planning, the north star is the same: better outcomes in store. “Our job is to bring practical, data‑led activities that make sense behind the counter,” Raghav says. “If the retailer wins, we win.”
Ready to start?
If you relish face‑to‑face conversations, enjoy solving problems and want a career that can move from the shop floor to ‘mission control’, JTI’s Sales Apprenticeship route is a smart first step. As Raghav puts it: “The opportunities are endless and the support to achieve your ambitions is real.”
Find out more at www.jti.com/en/careers.