Willamette Valley Vineyards is searching for a Barrel Room Lead to join our Production team at the Estate in the Salem Hills. This position requires a candidate with previous experience working in a winery, and experience with harvest.
Position Overview:
The Barrel Room Lead is a multi-faceted position. Utilizing highly developed winery-functional skills, the Barrel Room Lead will work between the winery and the Barrel Room. The primary function of this position will be to provide assistance to the Cellar Master, and Winemaking Team in a support role.
Primary Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions:
Cellar related:
-During harvest, assist with all fruit receival, processing, and fermentation, supervise movement of wine lots to barrel under the direction of the Winemaking Team.
-Other cellar duties as needed, including filtration and wine movements.
Barrel Room related:
-Assists the Cellar Master in providing guidance, training, and cellar supervision to cellar operators in the production of world class wines.
-Provide coverage to the Cellar Master during vacation or other approved absences.
-Oversees barrel room organization, barrel topping and pulling blends from barrel.
-Conduct scheduled maintenance and repairs to winery equipment.
-Other assigned projects that require a high level of skill.
-Assists the Cellar Master to manage daily work schedules and oversee the proper completion of work orders and tasks
-Ensures cellar equipment is available and in safe, optimal working order to meet winery production needs. Including ensuring proper use and care of equipment by cellar employees, and communicating maintenance needs and priorities to the maintenance staff.
-Notifies Cellar Master to order adequate cellar supplies, to ensure materials and equipment are on hand.
-Supports the efforts to ensure overall sanitation, appearance, temperature and condition of cellar environments meet expectations.
-Confer with the Head Winemaker prior to any purchases, apart from daily supplies.
-Understand and comply with applicable quality, environmental, and safety regulations, and report safety violations to the Head Winemaker.
-Participate in winery-related marketing events including barrel tastings.
-Drive company transport vehicle and truck (as necessary).
-Maintain a professional, clean, and orderly work area.
-Ensures all company policies and procedures are followed. Assist in developing policies and procedures as needed.
-Collaborate with all department managers towards profitability and help drive the vision and mission of WVV.
-Supports the Company’s effort to create a more sustainable, cross-cultural, and “green” environment.
-Other tasks as assigned by the Head Winemaker, Enologist or Cellar Master
Requirements:
-A valid Oregon Driver's License.
-Forklift experience required.
-Ability to lift and carry 40lbs and navigate stairs and hilly terrain.
-Stand for long periods and work in a fast-paced environment.
-Work in a flexible and continually changing environment.
-Strong work ethic and dependability, communication and interpersonal skills.
-Strong organizational skills and a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
-Tolerate exposure to outside elements (heat, wet and/or damp conditions, cold)
-Perform heavy physical work, lifting 50 lbs repeatedly, bending, climbing, pulling, or squatting for long periods.
-Work long hours during crush and peak periods (including all shifts).
-Ability to understand and comply with any and all safety requirements.