Winemaker and Operations Manager (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

Full Time

  Soaring Wings Vineyard

  Springfield, Nebraska

Soaring Wings Vineyard and Brewing is a highly successful winery near Omaha. It has won hundreds of medals in International Wine Competitions. Approximately 50,000 visitors a year visit the winery. I am the owner and also see to operations, winemaking, and brewing. Want to retire.
We are in need of a winemaker with extensive practical experience or a degree in enology as a minimum. Pay is negotiable, but will be modest till the employee proves their worth. As operations manager, many responsibilities will be placed on the employee. I will be turning over my baby to you. It should then be your baby.
As the owner I still have a final say in operations, but really do not want to participate unless really needed. So artistic license and initiative are important. We would like to see the winery grow more. There is much potential to do so. 
If you wish to work for us you must be personable. Meeting and talking with people is part of the job.
Please review the job requirements before applying.
We are a small company and more like a family as we work together. If you wish to join that family please let me know.

Job Specifications for Wine Maker and Operations Manager

•  Must have wine making experience or degree in enology
•  Main focus of this position is quality wine making
o This includes all aspects of winemaking from vine selection, crop loading, harvest parameters, and processing
•  Detail orientated
•  Next major focus is liaising with the other managers:
o Director of Sales (DOS) who manages wholesale wine sales and off site events
•  Coordinate to ensure we have the right volume of each type of wine to meet wholesale needs
•  Encourage new sales opportunities
•  Support in offsite marketing as needed
•  Use the DOS as needed for bottling and harvest day processing
o Vineyard Manager (VM) who manages the vineyard
•  Coordinate production quantity and quality
•  Coordinate vine removal and replacement needs
•  Coordinate grape sampling
•  Coordinate harvest dates
o Tasting Room Manager (TRM) who manages the TR
•  Ensure proper IT support to the TR staff
•  Ensure required maintenance is performed in coordination with the DOS and VM
•  Job requires much more than wine making as it is a small company
•  Small brewery on premise also
o Brewing beer is important mostly during peak season
o Training will be provided
•  Equipment operation and repair
o As this is a small operation one has to become proficient in reading schematics and trouble-shooting electrical and mechanical systems
o Training will be provided and advanced aid when required will also be provided
•  Chemistry and lab experience, at least from a schooling aspect, a must
•  Wine making will be main focus from Aug, start of harvest, through January, most sweet wine bottling complete
•  From February to July the focus shifts to the vineyard, pruning and such
•  Must be able to do very heavy lifting which includes:
o Moving barrels unto the racks
o Hooking up heavy implements to tractor
•  Driving a tractor and operating various devices
•  Forklift operations
•  This is an agricultural job. 
•  Use of restricted spray chemicals
•  Exposure to normal winery chemicals including, but not limited to:
o Sulfite
o Strong acids
o Caustic materials
•  Cleaning duties a priority in the winery
o We are regularly inspected by the FDA on a no notice basis
•  Accurate record keeping
o This is beyond a must as it is required by law
•  Able to work outdoors during very hot and cold temperatures
•  Personable, as job will sometimes require work with the public in the tasting room
•  Bondable
•  Drivers License, wine delivery
•  Hours are flexible
•  No vacation and little off time from Aug-October (harvest)

Preferred Skills

•  Wine making experience a must
•  Beer making experience a bonus
•  Lab experience- at least some basic lab work experience
•  Vineyard back ground-preferred not required
•  Horticulture background
•  Farming background
•  Computer skills

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