Current Positions

Current Positions

SENIOR WINEMAKER

LARGE COMMERCIAL WINERY

Our client is a profitable and growing contract processing wine company which is seeking a Senior Winemaker with a successful track record in larger wineries. Reporting to the Winery Manager, the Senior Winemaker is responsible for the management and control of all winemaking, laboratory and cellar operations.

This position operates in a dynamic winemaking environment covering vintage and non vintage operations. As this is a service oriented company the Senior Winemaker will play a pivotal role to ensure customer expectations are met and relationships are developed. A critical aspect of the role is to work closely with Commercial Services personnel to ensure wines are produced and managed to meet their intended end use.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

GENERAL MANAGEMENT:

	Managing the performance and development of the winemakers and cellar coordinators.
	Developing and continually updating the quality assurance system
	Ensuring compliance with company procedures and policies
	Maintaining and developing the cleanliness and amenity of the winery
	Develop three monthly, monthly and weekly work schedules.
	Leading the weekly production meetings to ensure efficient work planning.
	Ensure regular work schedule up dates are available to the Winery Manager.
	Assisting the Winery Manager in preparation of operating and capital works budgets
	Supporting and encouraging the development of Information Technology systems.
	Managing the winemaker employment selection process using standard screening and interview methods

WINEMAKING:

Managing all aspects of winemaking, laboratory and cellar operations.

Ensuring winemakers, laboratory and the cellar are provided with the required management and guidance to perform all work at the highest standard.

Continually monitoring and reviewing winemaker work standards.

Being proactive in tactical winemaking decisions to maximise wine quality, winery efficiency and ensure customer expectations are met.

Hands on involvement in day to day winemaking operations.

Ensuring the current winemaking requirements of statutory and government authorities are met

Timely and accurate recording of work carried out in the winery through the worksheet system including providing information to Administration for data entry:

Developing and maintaining the winemaking record and reporting system

Ensuring winemakers are suitably inducted in to the winery and trained to safely and efficiently perform all allocated duties

Actively encouraging winemaker skills development using group education and training programs

Understanding and complying with OH&S regulations and employment conditions

Contributing to the development of work place ambience � controlled, competent, flexible, relaxed & friendly.

CUSTOMERS:

Ensure customer specifications are met and customer relationships are developed and maintained.

Being available to customers and providing exceptional service at all times.

Managing & monitoring security of customer products

Understanding customer products and winemaking practices.

Ensure customers are provided with regular feed back and reports on their wines.

Maintaining appropriate customer records for operational and legal requirements.

Continually exploring opportunities to improve customer service.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

Winemaking Knowledge:

A degree in Wines Science is essential, plus comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the wine industry in general. You will have at least five years experience as a Winemaker, including significant experience in large wineries.

Communication Skills:

The ability to build and develop relationships with staff and customers and work in a team environment; strong verbal and written communication skills to enable effective communication to all levels with in the company and a pro-active approach in communicating with all parts of the business with good leadership and supervision skills

Management Practices:

The capacity to employ and manage people: to program winery workloads and coordinate a range of activities at one time: to complete tasks on time and within budget. To be well organised with well developed planning and logistic skills: capable of recognising inefficient winery practices and continually striving for productivity improvement.

Analytical Skills and Initiative:

The ability to research data and trends; the capacity to identify potential problems and develop appropriate solutions. A pro-active approach in building relationships and using innovative methods to achieve positive results and is prepared to make recommendations and decisions consistent with the outcomes required by the position

IT Skills:

Intermediate to advanced knowledge and use of Microsoft Word and Excel. The ability to use and understand technology to improve production and quality. Competent in the use of computerised wine management systems.

CHIEF WINEMAKER /MANAGER

Super Premium Wine Company

Preferred Location

Our client is seeking an experienced General Manager/Winemaker for a mid sized wine business centred on a state of the art winery and bottling plant, and supplied primarily by 300 acres of premium quality, family owned vineyards. Situated in a region renowned for it's lifestyle the company has on site also a significant cellar door operation.

The wines are prolific medal winners in major wine shows and domestic and export sales have increased steadily throughout the current difficult market. Reporting to the Managing Director, your application will demonstrate your ability to address the following issues:

KEY TASKS

�           To prepare and implement a five year business plan to achieve the strategic objectives of the company.

�           To review the company�s organisation structure to ensure that it is appropriate for the company�s aims.

�           Overview the company�s winemaking to ensure that all products meet the specifications and objectives of the company.

�           Simultaneously develop the Australian and export markets.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

�           The Chief Winemaker/Manager will have a working relationship with the Managing Director sufficient to deal adequately with activities such as operational, financial and sales and marketing developments.

�           Other key internal relationships are with the Assistant Winemaker, Administration Manager, Sales and Marketing Manager, Bottling Management and the Vineyard Management.

�           Key external relationships include distributors and key customers for the winery itself and for the bottling operations.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

�           Developing and implementing an operating plan to achieve the overall strategic objectives of the company.

�           Providing the cultural environment and support for the technical functions to enable viticultural and winery teams to meet quality and production goals

�           Coordinating the planning calendar of events and timelines for all operations in order to achieve the operational plan.

�           Liaise with the viticulture and winery team, so that the grape supply is aligned with vintage specifications and to ensure any required reconfiguration and/or expansion of that supply.

�           Ongoing consultation and liaison with the Managing Director to ensure a coordinated approach to achieving the company�s objectives.

�           Preparing annual budgets for the approval of the Managing Director

�           Monitoring and analysing expenditure, and developing and recommending action plans to address potential adverse variances

�           Identifying opportunities to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the operations.

�           Development and implementation of a set of procedures and business practices, in conjunction with the operations team, to create acceptable operating standards in the departments for which he/she are responsible.

�           Development of the quality assurance program across all business units

�           Keeping up to date with industry trends, regulations and rulings pertaining to the industry.

�           Coordination of the operations team, ensuring the maximum utilisation of people

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

�           A minimum of eight years experience at a senior level in the wine industry.

�           To optimise the close involvement with the winemaking team, a qualified winemaker experienced in both premium and commercial styles is preferred.

�           Ability to analyse and interpret management information.

�           Effective skills in relationship management.

�           Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

SALARY PACKAGE

Our client is very keen to engage a top performing wine industry professional who will be retained as a long term employee. They are prepared to discuss with the preferred candidate the composition of a salary package which will be appropriate for the selected candidate.

AREA MANAGER - SYDNEY

MAJOR WINE DISTRIBUTOR

Our client is one of Australia �s foremost wine distbributors, long established and with an enviable range of premium and super premium brands in it�s portfolio. An opportunity has arisen for an experienced high performer in the wine industry to join them and drive sales forward in one of it�s best performing territories.

The Job

Key Tasks

� To implement the company�s sales and marketing strategies to achieve it�s strategic objectives in your territory.

� To achieve annual sales and expenditure budgets and so achieve the projected sales growth and budgeted profit margins in your territory

� Develop a team relationship with existing and new accounts and so provide a resource which will achieve win/win results for all parties.

General Responsibilities

To achieve the budgeted sales and the profit margins by

� Coordinating the planning of events and deadlines for all sales and promotional activities in order to achieve the budgeted results.

� Regularly monitoring sales results against set budgeted figures and initiating the action required to rectify adverse trends.

� Implementing strategies for building strong relationships with key accounts.

� Implementing consumer and trade promotions and monitor their effectiveness.

� Reporting promptly on competitor and trade activity.

� Developing and maintaining a high level of communications with all levels of the key accounts

� Identifying opportunities to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the sales operations in your territory.

� Keeping up to date with industry trends, regulations and rulings pertaining to the wine industry.

The Person

You will be:

� A motivated self starter with the enthusiasm and determination to succeed.

� Have a successful track record in wine sales, preferably with a good knowledge of the Sydney market.

� Able to adapt and show flexibility.

� Exhibiting excellent time management skills and will be required to show initiative to deliver consistent results.

� Highly organised

The Package

An attractive salary package, including a fully maintained company vehicle and a significant incentive component will be offered to the preferred candidate.

VINEYARD SUPERVISOR

ULTRA PREMIUM COOL CLIMATE WINERY

Our client is a famous producer of ultra premium wines which are sourced from a mature 50 hectare vineyard. The company is focused on a market driven philosophy and you will ensure that the supply of fruit meets current and future winemaking requirements.

Your job satisfaction will come from contributing to the continuous development of quality and wine styles, resulting from very close attention to detail. This position will suit an hands on supervisor seeking to advance his or her career in ultra premium grape production.

You will have an evident passion for high quality grapes and the capability and enthusiasm to consistently produce and improve these. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will;

� Expertly supervise up to twenty vineyard staff and ensure that the desired fruit quality and quantity are being achieved, and that pests and diseases are controlled.

� Negotiate the supply of cost effective labour, materials, and services.

� Work closely with the winemaker and show a strong interest in the final product of the vineyard.

� Demonstrate a clear understanding of achieving financial targets.

� Be a team player with very effective supervision and communication skills.

� Show evidence of excellent organising and planning skills.

� Possess tertiary qualifications which are appropriate for these tasks.

A remuneration package will be offered which will match the talents of the best available candidate.

ALL CANDIDATES PLEASE NOTE:

	If you have already demonstrated that you can meet the requirements of any of the above positions you should apply as explained in �Contact Us�.
	To allow for last minute withdrawals and to provide candidates with the maximum opportunity to apply, details of positions may remain on this web site until the selected person has actually commenced duties.
	Details of the above positions are as given to us by the employer. Candidates who proceed to the interview stage should make their own enquiries as to the accuracy and adequacy of the information set out above and the proprietors of Wine & Vine Personnel expressly disclaim any and all liability from any act done or omitted to be done in reliance in whole or part of the above information.