Production Assistant
(Wine Jobs:
Vineyards & Cellars )
Full Time
The Winery, Hattingley Valley, Wield Yard, Lower Wield, Alresford, SO24 9AJ,
England
Position: Production Assistant
Reports to: Production Manager
The Company
Hattingley Valley has been producing award-winning sparkling wine since 2010, having planted its first vineyard in 2008. The heart of the wine comes from our 8.2 hectares of vineyards here in Hampshire, where we carefully manage two distinct vineyard sites. Growing the classic sparkling varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, we also have small parcels of Bacchus and Pinot Gris. Wines coming out of the Hattingley Valley stable have won more Gold Medals than any other winery in the UK.
The business has grown exponentially since its inception, and we are now one of the largest wineries in the UK as well as being the most significant exporter of English wine to the rest of the world.
The Role
A rare opportunity to join the full-time team of one of England’s leading sparkling wine producers.
We are looking for a Production Assistant to work in both the production and winery cellars, with a focus on the storage, riddling, disgorging, labelling and packaging part of the process.
Reporting to the Production Manager, the right candidate will have a willingness to assist in producing the highest quality wines for both Hattingley and our clients. They should be keen to learn about quality sparkling winemaking along with a desire to ensure quality is maintained whilst meeting health and safety regulation.
Working with the Production Manager you will assist with the running of the daily operations in the warehouse and production cellar for all wines. This will include maintenance and cleaning of the machines, assisting with the riddling and disgorging schedules, labelling, and packaging of finished goods for both Hattingley Valley and our clients. This needs to be done with a focus on quality management, safety, and efficiency. It requires careful maintenance and monitoring of both wine stock and dry goods for numerous product lines.
The most technical part of the sparkling winemaking process, utilising semi-automated lines imported from the Champagne region of France, we understand there will be a need for training and time to get the right candidate comfortable with the disgorging process. We feel it is more important to recruit for attitude and aptitude, offering on-the-job training for the specialist aspects. This is an ideal role for someone who wishes to gain a full understanding of the whole sparkling wine process and wants to get involved with the burgeoning domestic English wine production industry.
There will also be the opportunity to work in the winery cellar, particularly at peak times such as harvest and bottling; as well as assisting with logistics, events, tastings and tours for the public and trade, both on-and-off site.
Essential Skills
• Enthusiasm to learn about the whole winemaking process, with particular focus on the final finishing processes.
• A practical aptitude for problem solving and attention to detail is essential.
• Numerate and literate – confident in ability to understand what is required and record key data during the production process.
• Perform scheduled and day to day maintenance and quality checks on all production lines.
• Ability to work under pressure at times.
• A flexible approach to both working hours and duties during critical times such as harvest and bottling is essential.
• Forklift licence would be an advantage. Willingness to learn to drive a forklift (full training given) is essential if no licence held.
• Ability to work within a team.
• Preparedness to interact with consumers and trade visitors at tours and events, on occasion.
• Must be able to stand for periods of >3 hours.
• Driving licence and own transport essential due to rural location.
• Must have legal right to reside and work in the UK and provide evidence of such if required. Please note that Hattingley Valley does not sponsor immigration applications.
Salary: Commensurate with experience. Training is offered where necessary to do the job, eligible additional professional development offered after one year of service is completed satisfactorily.
Hours: 37.5 hours Monday to Friday 8.30 to 4.30 (30 minutes for lunch) – with additional hours as required at harvest and bottling.
Benefits: Company pension scheme, 25 days paid holiday plus all Public Holidays, staff wine allowance and discounts, opportunities to taste a variety of wines both English and from elsewhere.