Viticulturist - Stellenbosch at The Heineken Company

Purpose of the job

• To procure and manage grapes to produce the right quantity and quality wine of the right style and price in line with the Supply and Demand Forum.  Grape intake scheduling at the optimum time to ensure quality and cellar capacity utilization.  Effective management of grape growers with a strong focus on their financial sustainability, but also ensuring their adherence to IPW, WIETA and other required accreditations. 
• Manage sustainability and innovation projects (including digital) within the agricultural sector through collaboration and alignment with the Global Sustainability team, AME representatives and HB production facilities to contribute to specific company targets.

Key Responsibilities

Intrinsic management across an integrated Supply Chain

• Contracting and purchasing grapes according to grade and price mandate
• Maintain all block information on the relevant block record system for effective planning during pre-contracting processes.
• Winter and 10-year forecasting for accurate supply of grapes per age/grade/volumes per year
• Producer total package calculation and average price per ton; continuous adjustments to ensure producer profitability and sustainability
• Frequent producer visits to ensure optimum vineyard practices for envisaged wine end goal
• Ensuring correct tons per mandate are bought and managed throughout harvest to optimize cellar capacity and reduce overheads
• Continuous negotiations with producers during harvest to ensure total expected volume through cellar is met
• Collaboration with other role players on agricultural sustainability projects within the wider agricultural procurement footprint of Heineken Beverages.

Operational results

• Produce/procure grapes for wines that compete with the best wines locally and internationally (awards), and/or per demand.
• Ensure Supply Chain efficiency through accurate daily intake planning during the harvest season to optimize throughput
• Grape production efficiency driven by continuous improvement

• Recommend cultivars and sourcing areas as determined by company needs and climate change forecast models
• Assist cellar, producers, internal and external stakeholders with problem solving and technical support.

Build and maintain effective networks and relationships with key internal & external stakeholders

• Maintain and build relationships with grape suppliers, industry players, customers, project consultants and other business partners.
• Grape producer and winemaker feedback sessions
• Maintain an internal functional network to develop a sustainable grape supply model for Heineken Beverages.
• Maintain an external functional network to ensure the provision of a long-term grape supply base
• Collaboration with a wide network to remain up to date with industry trends and developments.
• Promote brand building by acting as a brand ambassador at events and present tastings (may require travel)

Drive continuous improvement and encourage best practice principles to ensure improved delivery against targets

• Ensure that continuous improvement is driven through the compilation and implementation of sustainability strategies for Heineken Beverages.
• Ensure knowledge-sharing with producers (successful in-house trials, changing legislation, changing accreditation requirements)
• Investigate and trial alternate revenue generating ideas
• Investigate and trial new technologies and products relevant to the Heineken Beverages larger agricultural procurement footprint, under changing climatic and economic conditions.

Lead by Example

• Demonstrate Heineken Beverages values and behaviours
• Clear pattern of self-development and learning with increased expertise and performance
• Assist with development & improvement of critical skills
  • Responsible for sharing industry learnings with producers and internal farm teams

Job Requirements: Education and Experience

• A relevant and recognized diploma or degree in winemaking and viticulture
• The position will be based primarily in Stellenbosch at the Centre of Excellence, Adam Tas; in harvest season, the position will be based at the Nederburg Winery, Paarl.
• Minimum of 5-8 years’ working experience in viticulture, grape procurement or similar role
• Effective influencing skills and ability to forge strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and planning skills
• Experience in trialing new products or practices with a focus on sustainability
• Good understanding of accreditation requirements (WIETA, IPW)
• Good Computer Literacy skills (MS Office suite, SAP)
• Good data management skills.
• Proficient in use of online platforms for data management.
• Ability to work well on individual and cross-functional team level with minimum guidance and supervision
• Ability to work under pressure
• Passion for seeking innovative solutions and out of the box thinking
• Self-starter, driven and self-motivated
• Ability to continuously learn and improve skill set
• Excellence in the sensorial evaluation of wine would be advantageous