Winemaker Assistant - Research
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
West Kelowna,
British Columbia
Winemaker Assistant - Research
Position Purpose
Under general supervision, this position provides administrative, logistical, and technical support to the Frind winemakers by closely monitoring wine quality and coordinating routine daily winemaking activities with the winemakers and production planner. This position also participates in year-round research and development (R&D) projects. Envisions, plans, and executes experiments that contribute to the improvement of winemaking processes and wine quality. Responsible for analyzing and interpreting experimental results, writing project reports, and presenting experimental findings.
As a Wine Researcher, you will conduct research focusing on the chemistry of alcoholic beverages and raw materials, with the goal of providing superior technical innovations and advanced analytical capabilities to the business. You will execute research strategies, programs and projects which contribute to improving grape growing and winemaking practices and processes. This position supports Research Applications by facilitating scale up and commercialization of scientific breakthroughs in the area of grape, wine, flavour, aroma and sensory chemistry.
What You Will Do
- Envisions and executes innovative and technical winemaking projects for department and Frind Winery Research and Development.
- Conducts analysis and interpretation of experimental results and writes technical reports.
- Participates and makes recommendations to scientifically innovative cross-functional teams to improve commercial winemaking processes and procedures.
- Oversees research winemaking at one or more location(s) including wine production and processing equipment operations to ensure the highest standards are maintained, operations are profitable, and risk is minimized.
- Manages the end to end production of high-end small production wine for bottling and occasional retail sale.
Functional Responsibility
Essential Duties
- Elucidate the linkage between grape and wine chemical composition and wine sensory attributes.
- Develop, optimize, and validate requisite techniques and analytical methods to quantify key grape and wine metrics related to wine quality and consumer preferences.
- Work cross-collaboratively with research and winemaking production team/s on innovative projects of major interest to Frind Estate Winery
- Harvest work as required
- Provides technical and logistical support including organoleptic evaluation of wines
- Performs wine/juice lab bench trials for finings and/or corrective additions
- Writes process requests and instructions as required to promote wine quality and successful completion of wine programs
- Participates in blend development, tasting panels, and sensory projects
- Prepares blend samples required for a variety of tastings
- Reviews and reads all technical manuals
- Operation, programing of all data producing equipment
- Coordinates tank sampling (for Winemaking, R&D and Ownership Requests)
- Coordinates fermenter audits, Vivelys audits and Tank Top Inspections (red fermenters)
- Provides back-up support to Winemakers and Technical Administrative Assistant
What You Need
- High School Diploma or State-issued equivalency certificate
- Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Fermentation Science, Food Science, Biochemical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, plus 2 years of Chemistry Research experience OR Master of Science degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Fermentation Science, Food Science, Biochemical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, plus 4 years of chemistry research experience OR Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Fermentation Science, Food Science, Biochemical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, plus 6 years of chemistry research experience.
- Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to possess specific vision abilities including color vision.
What Will Set You Apart
- Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Fermentation Science, Food Science, Biochemical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, attention to detail by putting raw in response, plus 4 years of relevant Chemistry research experience with a demonstrated record of achievement and innovation in aroma and mouthfeel methodology.
Non-Essential Duties
- Participates in Sales and Marketing events
- Assists in automation evaluations
- Performs tank inspection audits as needed
- Other duties may be assigned
Working Conditions
- Most activities take place in lab, office or winery environment. During harvest season many vineyard visits can take place when the outside temperature is 30-45 C.
- Protected Heights
Work Standards
- Acts in a manner reflective of the Company culture of High Moral Standards, Innovation and Continuous Evolution, Trust in Team, Continuous Improvement, and Sustainable Relationships
- Communicates, interacts, and works effectively with others; receptive to feedback and coaching; voices concern/s in a constructive manner
- Demonstrates commitment to safety first; communicates safety concerns; promotes a safe work environment based on established safety standards and training
- Follows all Company policies and procedures
Competitive compensation package based on credentials