Assistant Vineyard Manager

Assistant Vineyard Manager
Sebastian Farms
Location: Creston, BC

As the Assistant Vineyard Manager, you will be responsible for building and managing vineyards in Creston, BC. Building and leading a small team to produce high quality grapes. Key stakeholders are: the Viticulture team- who the Assistant Manager works with closely to achieve quality and yield targets for vineyard blocks AND Vineyard management team- work closely to share experience and ideas for mechanization to reduce fruit cost. Demonstrate leadership and best practices in staff training, motivation and OH&S programs.

A Day in the Life:

• Plan, schedule, and manage safe and productive work activities in the vineyards.
• Build new vineyards- land clearing, trellis and irrigation installation and planting.
• Manage and maintain irrigation systems (including; wells + community systems)
• Working with the senior viticulturist to work within the vineyard budget and manage the vineyard costs to the budget plan.
• Implement and follow viticulture programs to ensure grape quality and yield objectives are met.
• Manage frost control programs to mitigate damage to SF vineyards
• Provide understanding and insight of efficiencies and cost saving opportunities and techniques to employees.
• Operate machinery, and train others in safe equipment operation.
• Work and train a team of seasonal labour.
• Set the standards and evaluate employee’s performance against these standards and conclude an annual performance rating for each employee.
• Lead and manage all employees successfully, dealing with any employee relations issues that arise (ie absenteeism, discipline, safety, unprofessional conduct), holding all employees accountable to SF Code of Conduct and Standards.
• Create performance plans for employees to close gaps and increase effectiveness.
• Responsible to complete bi-weekly payroll requirements
• Drive vineyard mechanization to reduce fruit costs and increase vineyard efficiencies.

• Represent Sebastian Farms within the community of Creston.

What You Bring:

• 10+ years progressive vineyard experience.
• 3+ years experience leading and training vineyard teams.
• 5+ years experience operating vineyard equipment including tractors, sprayers and machine harvesters
• Solid knowledge of all vineyard procedures and practices including planting, pruning, harvesting, and irrigation systems.
• Intermediate Computer skills; MS Office, Suite, Word, Excel.
• Team Player
• Valid BC Driver’s License.

We want to hear from you! If this sounds like you, apply now!