Winemaker at KWV

REF: WM0621

Purpose: 

The Winemaker is jointly responsible for the winemaking process with responsibilities agreed and assigned in conjunction with the Senior Winemaker. The incumbent is jointly responsible to maintain and manage the assets and stock within the Wine Cellars Department to ensure optimal utilisation of the facility. The incumbent is responsible for and will continually strive to ensure that only food safe, quality products and services that meet all applicable standards and requirements (legal, regulatory and client), are supplied with integrity.

Minimum Requirements:

• Tertiary qualification in Viticulture and Oenology
• 5 years’ experience in winemaking
• Computer skills ( Previous exposure to SAP would be advantageous)
• 5 years’ experience in managing a winemaking process
• Experience in winemaking and sales
• Technical knowledge of winemaking and machinery
• Knowledge of different quality systems (HACCP, BRC, IPW, Wieta, ISO)

Skills Required:

• Detailed oriented
• Excellent communication skills at various levels
• Ability to work cross-functionally
• Excellent problem solving abilities
• Pro-active mindset and self-starter
• Ability to operate independently

Job Summary:

• Ensure collaboration with the planning department to align procurement and volumes to production forecast
• Ensure the right quality, price and volumes/quantity grapes and wine are purchased in line with the forecast and produce according to style and brand
• Monitor the quality of the cultivation practices as well as the quality and ripeness of grapes in collaboration with the viticulturists to ensure the highest yield /ton and best quality of products.
• Compile harvest programme with regards to cellar capacity vs intake in collaboration with viticulturist and chief winemaker
• Ensure effective grape and wine in take process by optimal utilisation of capacity
• Determine wine styles in collaboration with Chief Winemaker.
• Adhere to expectations of market and ensure realisation of marketing and sales strategy.
• Manage winemaking practices and intrinsic quality of wine to ensure alignment to quality, style, volume and price point these include grape/wine intake, fermentation management, maturation, blending, stabilisation and final wine preparation for bottling.
• Ensure implementation of relevant food and H&S safety standards.
• Ensure implementation of audit findings
• Ensure you are up to date with trends, technologies and research regarding wine production by engaging with relevant suppliers, authorities and industry bodies.
• Adhere to annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets for respective business units and report on expenditure in collaboration with finance.
• Report risks based on bulk volumes available compared to forecast.
• Implement the regrade process and ensure wine application and allocation is adhered to.
• Recruit and select direct reports Implement training and development initiatives and align to succession or individual development plans. Reprimand and discipline direct reports
• Support Sales and Marketing Departments by attending and presenting wine tastings, wine forums and discussions.
• Represent the company on cellar and wine shows/exhibitions.