Assistant Winemaker (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery (http://www.ravinevineyard.com)

  St. David's, Ontario

POSITION PROFILE

 

Job title:	Assistant Winemaker
Reports to:	Winemaker
Positions Supervised:	Seasonal Harvest Team (3 – 6)

 

POSITION PROFILE:

This is a key position within the winemaking department that is responsible for the day to day operation of production with an understanding of the influences of all processes in winemaking.  The Assistant Winemaker will take direction and preform tasks for cellar work, laboratory analysis and record keeping while maintaining a clean and safe work environment daily.  The position will be critical in the continued development of winemaking procedures; development of the harvest crew, and safe, efficient operations of the winery all while maintaining absolute standards in winemaking practices to ensure wine of the highest quality is produced.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Winemaker in day to day cellar operations.  
• Participate in a range of in house and external promotional and educational activities.
• Ensure legislative and policy compliance in relation to VQA, OHS, Quality, management systems and process improvements. (Lean Training)
• Manage proper inventories of dry goods.
• Ensure production plans and quality parameters are met in terms of bottling, lab analysis, blending and other cellar operations.
• Provide input to long-term work plan and work with the Winemaker to make harvest decisions for the grapes received, crushing, pressing and fermentation processes.
• Identify aromas and flavors in wines and recommend treatments to improve wine quality through trials and tastings.
• Monitor ullages and conditions of wines and take corrective action to address out of specification product.
• Participate in vineyard and varietal fruit assessments

 LEAN MANUFACTURING:

• Drive lean manufacturing implementation within the operations
• Identify, map (current state), analysis and improve (future state) value streams
• Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions (WIs)

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Fruit assessment, receiving, processing and fermentation is carried out in accordance with house specifications
• Ability to model the Winery values of being inquisitive, engaged, friendly, hardworking and sincere
• Worksheets are accurately prepared and distributed within appropriate timeframes
• Appropriate volumes of blended wine styles available for packaging are maintained at all times
• Accurate labeling standards in accordance with VQA rules
• Maintain H&S standards and ensure cleanliness in production and cellars
• Ability to perform tasks with attention to detail that enhances/ensures wine quality, efficiency, safety and cost
• E-Grape and Harvest Record Keeping
• Packaging procurement and storage Inventory
• Competitions submissions

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Winemaking degree or diploma
• 2 years’ experience in cellar operation
• An understanding of the ability to run machinery such as the press, pumps and power washer and other production equipment
• Experience presenting information and responding to questions from groups of managers, staff and customers
• Passion for wine
• Experience and interest in management and development of winemaking team
• Occupational Health and Safety and First Aid
• Self-motivation with ability and desire to give direction
• Ability to use PC with proficiency in Windows Outlook, Word and Excel

WORKING CONDITIONS:

 

• Shift work and overtime as required.
• Flexible work schedule, including the ability to work evening and weekends.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• This is a physical job in a production setting that will require long periods of standing, walking, lifting, climbing ladders, etc.
• Work shifts in retail during the offseason 

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