265 jobs at the company’s operational centres in Lausanne and Neuchâtel will be affected, reported swissinfo.

The plans were announced on 27 January, after months of speculation and uncertainty, according to the report. Up to 60 per cent of the 265 positions affected may be transferred to other Philip Morris International (PMI) sites in Lisbon, London or Krakow. Those affected have been involved in the consultation talks and will be given a definite answer by the end of March. The plans come as Philip Morris shifts its focus towards smokeless products.
Charles Bendotti, PMI’s Senior Vice President for Human Resources, stated, “These last few years we have increased the number of staff and recruited new professional profiles to focus as swiftly as possible on a smokeless future.” According to the report, he also reiterated the company’s plans to remain attached to its global operations centre and the R&D headquarters in Switzerland.
Philip Morris S.A., based out of Lausanne, is currently responsible for sales and marketing activities in Switzerland and PMI’s global operations centre is based out of the same city. PMI’s research and development centre currently sits in Neuchâtel and employs around 400 members of staff. Overall, Philip Morris International currently employs around 3,000 people across Switzerland.