Senior Cellar Hand

About the role

The Senior Cellar Hand will turn winemaking direction into timely and appropriate actions and results through our Marlborough winery. The Senior Cellar Hand is responsible for overseeing cellar workers in their areas during the vintage period, following company systems and procedures, and bring any issues that might decrease the quality of wine production to the attention of the Cellar Supervisor, Cellar Manager. Demonstrate through own actions a commitment to Health and Safety at work when undertaking work or observing others in the workplace. Proactively report any concerns promptly and ensure all H&S requirements are met.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out all winery procedures in a safe, efficient manner within agreed time frames to documented quality standards as directed by the company's winemakers
• Perform all winery duties in accordance with detailed SOPs for the safe, effective operation and maintenance of all VinLink plant
• Ensure that all processing operations are carried out in a manner that maintains the quality and integrity of the wine
• Assist with the training and supervision of new and seasonal workers in cellar procedures
• Provide leadership and direction to junior members of the production team when required
• Maintain the winery in excellent readiness and cleanliness
• Be proactive in ensuring the cellar remains a safe and healthy working environment and that an active H&S program is maintained
• Undertake all activities required in your role to maintain compliance with company and client programs including but not limited to BRCGS
• Participate in problem solving and continuous improvement strategies
• Establish clear and effective communications to enable and foster a clear understanding of the client's and company's requirements to all workers

About you

• Minimum 4 years supervisory experience in wine production
• Experience in large scale Wine Production (20000 plus Ton winery)
• Strong team leadership skills
• Excellent technical knowledge of cellar equipment (including but not limited to presses, crusher/destemmers, floatation units, RDVs, pumps, flowmeters etc.)
• Advanced written and oral communication skills
• Computer literate
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and work to multiple deadlines
• Self-motivated, with an ability to work as part of a team, and independently, when required and works well under pressure
• Experience managing teams up to 20 plus people
• NZ citizen, permanent resident, or applicable working visa

About us

VinLink is a privately owned wine company based in Blenheim, Marlborough. The company began in 2012 as one of the largest startup contract wineries that New Zealand had ever seen and has since grown to a current capacity of 25,000 T per vintage. In 2021 the business continued its growth strategy by entering into a long-term export supply agreement for bottled wine and expanding into vineyard leasing and grape supply agreements. VinLink is not a brand owner, we are a specialist wine company providing world class winemaking services to brand owners.