Job Description:

OUT FOSTER’S WINE ESTATES AMERICAS:
As a premium global beverage company conducting business across 150 countries, Foster's offers an exciting and diverse portfolio of career opportunities. Our people are innovative, passionate and energetic - working as one team with one high-performance culture.

Foster's is committed to creating an 'inspiring workplace' which attracts and retains highly skilled people. At Foster’s, we recognize and value employee diversity.
Don't let this great opportunity to work with a dynamic and energetic group of individuals pass you by, please apply now! EEO/AAP.

PURPOSE OF ROLE

This position is responsible for the management of the laboratory, including all analyses and quality assurance. Working with the Corporate Quality team to implement quality programs including but not limited to HACCP, FSQM, sanitation and DO reduction. Acts as point person on wine issues when winemakers are absent.

DIRECT REPORTS

1. All local laboratory staff – may include technicians, Sr. technicians, wine chemists, Sr. wine chemists, seasonal staff, etc.
2. Other winery staff as assigned

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Supervises and directs the daily, accurate performance of lab analysis activities and tasks, facilitates the implementation of new tasks and responsibilities, determines department priorities and goals. Ensures timeliness, accuracy and completion of all lab work.
• Determines and maintains staffing levels, assists in recruitment and selection process. Trains and develops lab staff to meet the analytical requirements of the winemaking process.
• Writes performance reviews, recommends wage increases, and performs ongoing job training with all lab positions supervised to ensure skills competency.
• In conjunction with the Laboratory Services Manager, evaluates new lab procedures and analysis results, maintains the database of lab analysis results and purchases new instrumentation to maintain the most advanced lab capabilities possible, within budgeted parameters.
• Oversee laboratory QA testing programs to evaluate ongoing performance of staff.
• Conducts ongoing research into lab methods and procedures by reading trade journals and technical publications, communicating with colleagues and attending winery-related workshops and seminars.
• Communicates and liases with winemakers and production staff on daily activities and research projects to provide lab support and enhance ongoing advancements in our product.
• Develops and maintains department budget (including capital budget) and maintains supply and equipment inventory within budget constraints.
• Maintains and troubleshoots instrumentation and methods, performs equipment repairs, trains and advises staff in troubleshooting and repairs as required.
• Maintain structured health, safety, and environmental management systems in line with global corporate standards and performance indicators.
• Oversee preparation of analytical reports to support export of wines to other countries as required.
• Provides support to bottling when the mobile line is on site.
• Assists with sanitation and other quality related programs for the site including but not limited to FSQM and HACCP.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, experience and/or abilities required.

• BS Degree in Enology, Chemistry or closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead, motivate and supervise others; team oriented.
• Ability to analyze and problem solve to address quality issues.
• Strong mathematical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written. Fluent in English.
• Strong organizational and time management skills. Ability to organize work flow to bring efficiency to the laboratory.
• Demonstrated successful decision making ability.
• Excellent analytical instrumentation skills.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible within a changing work environment. Willing to work flexible and extended hours when necessary.
• Ability to contribute to a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner that works positively with clients, customers, co-workers and management.
• Minimum five years winery analytical laboratory management experience or equivalent.
• Experience with quality control, quality assurance, bottling operations, and sanitation preferred.
• Computer literacy in software applications MS Word and Excel required, other MS Office applications preferred; knowledge of WIM platform desirable.
• Supervisory experience mandatory.
• Knowledge of winemaking and the ability to manage multiple projects preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Long hours required during harvest including weekends
• Required to lift up to 35 lbs. occasionally
• Mobility throughout winery required
• Extended periods of time sitting at a computer using hands and fingers to enter data.
• Frequent bending, carrying, standing, and grasping.
• Exposures to eye, leg, back, wrist and elbow strain.
• Exposure to some chemicals, airborne particles, caustics, fumes, odours and temperatures.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate but during bottling operations noise levels can be moderate to high.

TO APPLY:
If you are interested in this position please apply online. Go to http://searchjobs.fweacareers.com/ to submit your resume and please include your salary requirements.

No relocation assistance is available for this position. No recruiters or phone calls, please.

Salary Information: Competitive