Title: Vineyard Manager
California Winery Operations – Fetzer Vineyards
Reports To: Vineyard Director Mendocino County

Scope:
Responsible for implementing farming functions for 500 acres of Fetzer Vineyard ranches. Oversee and direct tasks of hourly ranch crews; execute farming plans, perform/manage special projects; budget management.

Basic Function:
Responsible for executing all vineyard farming plans. Includes but not limited to direct supervision of hourly vineyard crews through crew leaders; timely and accurate processing of hire, layoff and payroll information for both regular FTE and seasonal labor; implementation of spraying, fertilization and pest control management plans; frost protection, and detailed budget planning and management.

Responsibilities: 
Vineyard & Crop Management

Working together with Vineyard Director, prepare annual farming schedule. Implement vineyard plan, organize purchases, vineyard crews, manage equipment and resources necessary to successfully farm ranches and produce organic grapes of the highest quality.

Responsible for crop management, pest management and data collection. Based on data collected, implement the appropriate form of pest management in accordance with organic and biodynamic farming practices. Responsible for records management of crop data, historical farming data (i.e., bud break, weather, frost, etc.). Direct and oversee the data collection process and ensure validity of data collected.

May assist in the hiring of outside vendors or contractors for various services. 

Personnel Management
Coordinate seasonal hires, rehires, layoffs, etc. for seasonal workforce of 150+/- employees. Responsible for timekeeping and tracking of employee hours worked, by task and location. Work closely with crew leaders, Payroll and Vineyard Finance team to ensure the timely and accurate collection of payroll data. Responsible for safety meetings and compliance. Responsible for compliance with OSHA regulations.

Work with Vineyard Managers and Crew Leaders to set output standards and schedules for vineyard field work. Maintain close supervision of the field crews through Crew Leaders to assure quality and quantity standards are being met. Work with Crew leaders to correct deficiencies.

Coordinate all hire and layoff activities; proactively work with Human Resources and Payroll to ensure paperwork is processed in a timely manner. Responsible for timekeeping accuracy and data collection of hours worked, tasks performed and location worked. Responsible for coordinating work crews and assigning them to ranches.

Train new employees in work standards, safety and policy expectations. 

Financial Management
Responsible for managing vineyard expense within budgetary guidelines. Participate in monthly cost center spending reviews. Responsible for hours worked and dollars spent. Review invoices, budget, cost center reports, etc. with Vineyard Director and Vineyard Finance team.

General Departmental Management
These duties include safety, point person for organics (i.e. finding new products, working with Compliance Process Manager on materials compliance, management of experimental vineyards, labor camp housing management. Ability to graph data, see trends, draw conclusions and make recommendations.

Must Experience:
Degree in Viticulture or related field plus equivalent work experience of Minimum 5 yrs in similar position.

Thorough knowledge of viticulture practices and experience in vineyard planning. Understanding of organic and biodynamic farming techniques.

Valid CA Driver’s License.

Bilingual English/Spanish

Must have experience managing and motivating employees.


Skills:
Reading, writing and math skills required.

Ability to document and maintain farming and payroll data

Developed computer skills in programs such as Excel, Word, Database, Email, Weather programs and Internet.

Ability to graph data, see trends, draws conclusions and makes recommendations.

Requires travel between ranches.

May require forklift certification and ability to operate wheel tractors and ATV machines.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of employees and outside contacts such as vendors, agencies and contractors.

Requires on-call status for emergencies and may require weekend and nighttime call-ins during various growing seasons.

Commitment to safety excellence and producing work of the highest quality.

Strong organizational skills with acute attention to detail

Physical:
Ability to lift and carry 40lbs; ability to drive motor vehicle long distances; able to work in all weather conditions including hot/cold weather temperatures, mud, dust, soft soil, walk in uneven terrain.

Ability to lift 40-70lbs. Requires work in indoor and outdoor conditions. May be subject to various weather conditions.

Competencies:
Detail Oriented, Innovative, Organized, Takes Initiative, Building Relationships