Sr. Viticulturist, Owned & Leased Properties (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Arterra Wines Canada

  Oliver, British Columbia

Job Description:

Arterra Wines Canada Western Viticulture Department is a multi-farm operation with world class properties spanning across the South Okanagan from Osoyoos to Summerland. We have premium vineyards containing a wide range of grape varieties, soil types and growing conditions.

We are currently recruiting for technically sound, detail orientated, team player who is self-motivated and goal oriented to fill the position of Sr. Viticulturist, Owned and Leased Properties based out of our Oliver, BC location. Our organization has an industry leading leadership team; a collaborative working environment full of determination and success; and a structure which offers best in class training and development to our team members.

The Role:

The role of Sr. Viticulturist, Owned and Leased Properties is responsible for utilizing a scientific and forward-thinking approach to develop / implement policy and procedures, and advise/direct on technical and operational viticulture matters for all Owned and Leased vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. This function will have the expressed purpose of maximizing sustainable yield and fruit quality, ensuring compliance with company standards and maintaining a high level of vine health and vineyard integrity.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

Precision Viticulture (30%):

• Apply precision viticulture to optimize vineyard performance, maximizing grape yield and quality while minimizing environmental impacts and risk.
• Provide technical advice and accurate information on all matters of viticulture to senior management.
• Work with senior management to produce the Annual Vineyard Management Plan with input from Vineyard Managers, to ensure best practices in the fields of
  • Winter pruning
  • Agrichemical application
  • Pest and disease control
  • Irrigation management
  • Yield management
  • Soil management
  • Frost control
  • Vine nutrition
  • Canopy management
  • Fruit maturity/ condition and harvest management
• Ensure all plans are communicated, readily accessible to relevant stakeholders and actioned accordingly
• Produce annual technical calendar to ensure the timely supply of data to/from Vineyard Operations Team.
  • Produce an annual Post Harvest report for Senior Management, Winemaking and the Viticulture team.
• Where relevant, attend research and development presentations/sessions
• Manage and develop research and development projects

Vineyard Advisory (20%):

• Develop and maintain a call cycle of on-site vineyard visits with predetermined objectives to ensure that operational tasks/programs are completed to specification and on time
• Develop an environment of collaboration by conducting on-site discussion and feedback sessions with the Operations team.
• Provide technical information and advice including policy, guidelines and SOPs
• Provide advice and recommendations on vineyard inputs in response to monitoring programs

People, Culture & Organization (15%):

• Lead, develop and manage a high performance Technical team based on our core values where our people are connected to the vision, engaged, energized and can achieve their potential.
• Coach, develop and manage performance.
• Develop and implement learning and development programs across the Viticulture department.

Workplace Operations Planning & Management (20%):

• Efficiently manage people and equipment to ensure that all Technical operations are completed on time and to specification
• Engage and manage seasonal labour for viticulture monitoring and technical support purposes.
• Maximize utilization of people, plant and equipment to deliver Technical requirements.
• Ensure all staff and contractors are appropriately trained in accordance with SOPs / HSE and ensure thorough understanding of agreed outcomes

Monitoring & Reporting (15%):

• Manage the technical data collection, collation, and analysis program.
• Lead all systems development and implementation.
• Liaise with leaders and external consultants and collaborate with internal customers.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Viticulture or Equivalent
• 7-10 Years Vineyard Management & Technical Experience
• Scientific approach to growing quality fruit: deep interest in and understanding of the science of growing healthy balanced vines and quality fruit.
• Sufficient technical understanding combined with a scientific approach to guide complex analysis and planning, taking into account a wide range of factors relating to viticulture.
• Ability to work with technical experts to identify and evolve best practice that can be implemented into operations
• Literacy and numerical skills ̵ Computer skills including Microsoft Office suite (Advanced)
• Plans ahead and works in a systematic way. Manages time efficiently. Identifies and manages resources required to achieve goals and tasks in large scale multi-faceted projects.
• Establishes collaborative working relationships with the team. Builds wide and effective networks of contacts inside and outside the organization. Relates to people at all levels.
• Enthusiasm and commitment to continual improvement of organizational systems, processes and methodologies. Fosters a culture of continuous improvement in order to develop world-class operations.
• Projects credibility and speaks clearly and fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly with the audience in mind. Makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skills and confidence. Ability to think on their feet and respond quickly to questions and feedback.
• Promote our values as the fabric of our culture and reinforce through stories. Bring our values to life through own actions.
• Ability to work out of hours and as the vineyard operations demand.

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