Viticulturist

Job opportunity:  Viticulturist

VineWorks, the UK's leading vineyard support company, is looking to recruit an experienced viticulturist to support our growing client base with the installation and management of their vineyards. 

Job information

• Reports to the Head of Vineyard Services
• Works with Vineyard Services and Establishment team members and clients

• Competitive salary and other benefits

About VineWorks

VineWorks was established in 2006 by James Dodson, Chief Executive Officer, and is based in Plumpton Green, East Sussex. 

At VineWorks, we believe that quality wine starts on the vine.  We are cool climate specialists supporting vineyards across the UK with all their viticultural needs to ensure they produce amazing wines in a sustainable and profitable way.  

Since its inception, VineWorks has established hundreds of vineyards across the UK, and currently services over 90 sites.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manage multiple vineyard sites providing high quality support and services to our clients to continually improve vineyard performance.
2. Manage vineyard supervisors and vineyard workers with the agreed performance targets and monitor progress. 
3. Assist with the continual development of environmental, sustainable and regenerative practices in VineWorks’ product offering and skills/knowledge of the wider team.
4. Provide input as required with the continuous evolution and improvement of the vineyard management packages and viticultural suitability reports.
5. Attend regular departmental meetings as required to provide regular, detailed progress reports.
6. Manage multiple vineyard sites providing high quality support and services to our clients to continually improve vineyard performance.
7. Record vineyard data, generate vineyard management reports, and prepare  vineyard estimations and layouts.
8. Resolve and advise on problems and issues that occur. 
9. Forecast and calculate labour resources required for all vineyard activities for vineyard management clients
10. Manage timing and specification of each vineyard activity and inform clients, third party contractors or in house support of the specification and timing of the vineyard activity required for purposes of scheduling and liaise accordingly. Quality control of these jobs to ensure they are completed to specification and within timeframes provided.
11. Assist and support other viticulturists and vineyard supervisors to maintain and build existing and future business. 
12. Train members of the viticulture services/establishment department where required in company standards, policies and protocol.
13. Maintain and prepare budget management reports required for both clients and the vineyard services and vineyard establishment departments. 
14. Support any internal/external research trials and development projects that the department is involved in, for example new products, techniques or machinery.
15. Attend, with due notice, occasional out-of-hours events/tradeshows (e.g., evenings and weekends) as may be appropriate to the role.
16. Actively engage with industry-wide networking events and development groups. 
17. Undertake other duties and tasks that may reasonably be required (such as tractor operations).
18. Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, including the proper use of equipment, protective gear and adherence to safety protocols to maintain a safe working environment. 
19. Deliver exceptional customer service. 
20. Support other teams and departments where needed.
    

Person Specification

Essential

Experience/ Knowledge

• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Thorough understanding of viticulture/horticulture principles.
• Experience working in cool climate viticulture
• Experience operating farm/vineyard machinery
• Experience managing teams and individuals. 
• Experience managing budgets, especially in relation to profitability and income generation. 
• Willingness to learn and embrace new ways of approaching viticulture.
  

Skills

• Full, clean driving licence.
• Strong mechanical and practical aptitude.
• Strong numeracy skills, especially around setting and monitoring targets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to work with people both within and outside the organisation. 
• Excellent research skills and attention to detail.
• Proven organisational and administrative skills with an ability to prioritise, work to tight timescales and deliver work on time and within budget.
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and be self-motivated.
• Ability to work flexibly within a team and adjust to changing priorities. 

• Excellent ICT skills including Google Workspaces, email and internet.
  

Desirable

• Knowledge and interest in environmentally sustainable agricultural practices
• Excellent presentation skills

To apply

Please email your CV and a covering letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the criteria to our Business Director, Chris Buckley at chris@vine-works.com 

The deadline for applications is Friday 16th May 2025 (10am).