Harris River Estate Pty Ltd is a vineyard, winery and beverage producer located at 442 Harris River Road, Collie WA 6225.
We are seeking an experienced and practical Vineyard Supervisor to join our team in a permanent full-time position.
This is a hands-on supervisory role involving the day-to-day operation of the vineyard together with involvement in grape harvesting, winery cellar operations, filtration, distilling and beer production.
The successful applicant will have strong practical vineyard experience, the ability to supervise and coordinate employees, and experience operating agricultural, harvesting and winery processing equipment.
Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesVineyard Operations
The Vineyard Supervisor will be responsible for:
· supervising and coordinating vineyard employees, casual employees and seasonal workers;
· allocating daily duties and coordinating vineyard work programs;
· supervising and participating in pruning, tying, vine training and canopy management;
· shoot thinning, wire lifting, trimming and crop management;
· overseeing the planting, cultivation and harvesting of wine grapes;
· monitoring vine health and crop development;
· monitoring and managing vineyard pests, weeds and disease;
· assisting with irrigation scheduling and water management;
· operating and supervising vineyard irrigation systems;
· applying or supervising the application of fertilisers, soil amendments and approved vineyard treatments;
· operating tractors, mowers, slashers, sprayers and other vineyard machinery;
· supervising the safe operation of vineyard plant and equipment;
· carrying out routine machinery inspections, cleaning and basic maintenance;
· maintaining vineyard trellising, fencing, roads, drainage and irrigation infrastructure;
· maintaining vineyard, irrigation, spray, harvest and maintenance records;
· training and supervising vineyard workers;
· monitoring work quality and productivity;
· ensuring workplace health and safety procedures are followed; and
· liaising with the General Manager regarding production, staffing, maintenance and operational requirements.
Grape Harvesting
The position has significant responsibility during vintage and harvest and includes:
· assisting with harvest planning and preparation;
· coordinating vineyard employees and harvesting activities;
· monitoring vineyard and crop conditions during harvest;
· supervising hand harvesting where required;
· operating mechanical grape harvesters;
· setting up, adjusting and safely operating grape harvesting machinery;
· supervising the operation of mechanical grape harvesting equipment;
· coordinating grape bins, trailers and harvest logistics;
· monitoring fruit quality during harvesting;
· cleaning and maintaining grape harvesters and associated equipment;
· coordinating delivery of harvested grapes to the winery;
· maintaining harvest records; and
· working additional or irregular hours during vintage where reasonably required.
Winery and Cellar Operations
The Vineyard Supervisor will also participate in winery cellar operations, particularly during vintage.
Duties may include:
· receiving and processing harvested grapes;
· operating grape crushers and destemmers;
· operating winery grape presses;
· preparing crushers, destemmers and presses for production;
· cleaning and sanitising grape-processing equipment;
· operating pumps, hoses, valves and winery transfer equipment;
· transferring juice and wine between tanks;
· assisting with pump-overs, rackings and wine transfers;
· monitoring tanks and winery equipment;
· tank preparation, cleaning and sanitation;
· barrel filling, topping and cellar work;
· assisting with wine blending and production operations;
· assisting with filtration and wine preparation;
· maintaining cellar hygiene and sanitation standards; and
· maintaining appropriate cellar and production records.
Cross-Flow and RO Filtration
The position includes operation of specialist winery filtration equipment.
Duties include:
· setting up and operating cross-flow filtration equipment;
· monitoring cross-flow filtration during operation;
· cleaning and sanitising cross-flow filtration equipment;
· setting up and operating reverse osmosis (RO) filtration equipment;
· monitoring RO filtration and processing;
· cleaning and maintaining RO filtration equipment;
· operating pumps, hoses, tanks and associated filtration equipment;
· identifying and reporting filtration or equipment issues; and
· maintaining appropriate filtration and production records.
Distilling Operations
The successful applicant will also assist with Harris River Estate’s distilling operations.
Duties may include:
· participating in spirit and distilling operations;
· assisting with preparation of products for distillation;
· operating distillation equipment where trained and authorised;
· monitoring distillation processes;
· transferring products to and from distillation equipment;
· cleaning and sanitising distilling equipment;
· assisting with spirit production and storage;
· maintaining production and batch records; and
· following all workplace safety and operating procedures associated with distillation equipment.
Beer and Brewing Operations
The position may also assist with beer production and brewery operations.
Duties may include:
· participating in beer-making and brewing operations;
· assisting with brewing preparation and production;
· operating brewing equipment where trained and authorised;
· monitoring fermentation;
· transferring beer between tanks;
· assisting with filtration and conditioning;
· cleaning and sanitising tanks, lines and brewing equipment;
· assisting with packaging and production activities; and
· maintaining brewery hygiene and production records.
Skills and Experience
Applicants should have at least two years of relevant practical vineyard or viticultural experience and demonstrated experience in vineyard operations.
The successful applicant should have experience in:
· vineyard and viticultural operations;
· supervising or coordinating vineyard, agricultural or seasonal employees;
· pruning and canopy management;
· irrigation systems and water management;
· pest, weed and disease monitoring;
· grape harvesting;
· operating mechanical grape harvesters;
· operating tractors and vineyard machinery;
· agricultural or vineyard equipment maintenance;
· coordinating employees and daily work programs;
· workplace health and safety;
· maintaining accurate operational records;
· winery and cellar operations;
· operating grape crushers and destemmers;
· operating winery presses;
· pumps, tanks, hoses and wine-transfer equipment;
· cross-flow filtration;
· reverse osmosis (RO) filtration;
· winery cleaning and sanitation;
· distilling and distillation operations; and
· beer making and brewing operations.
The successful applicant should also demonstrate:
· good leadership and supervisory skills;
· practical problem-solving ability;
· strong communication skills;
· good organisational and time-management skills;
· the ability to work independently;
· the ability to lead and work effectively within a small team;
· attention to detail;
· a strong commitment to workplace safety and product quality;
· mechanical aptitude;
· reliability and punctuality; and
· the ability to undertake physically demanding outdoor and winery work.
Qualifications
Applicants should have qualifications and/or experience appropriate to a skilled Vineyard Supervisor position.
Relevant qualifications may include:
· an AQF Certificate III relevant to viticulture, vineyard, horticultural or agricultural operations together with appropriate on-the-job training;
· an AQF Certificate IV or higher relevant qualification; or
· at least three years of relevant vineyard or viticultural experience where experience is relied upon in place of the relevant formal qualification.
A relevant formal qualification is desirable; however, applicants with substantial practical industry experience are encouraged to apply.
Licences and Additional Qualifications
The following will be highly regarded:
· current Australian driver’s licence or equivalent licence recognised in Western Australia;
· forklift high-risk work licence;
· agricultural chemical handling accreditation;
· first-aid certification;
· tractor and agricultural machinery experience;
· mechanical grape harvester experience;
· confined-space training;
· working-at-heights training;
· winery equipment training;
· filtration equipment experience or training; and
· relevant viticulture, agriculture, horticulture, wine, brewing or distilling qualifications.
Physical Requirements
Applicants must be capable of safely performing the inherent physical requirements of the position, including:
· working outdoors in varying weather conditions;
· standing and walking for extended periods;
· bending, reaching, climbing and repetitive movement;
· safely lifting and carrying equipment and materials;
· working around agricultural and winery machinery;
· working in wet, cold, warm, dusty and noisy environments;
· wearing required personal protective equipment; and
· working additional or irregular hours during harvest and vintage when reasonably required.
Pay: $79,000.00 – $81,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
