JOB TITLE: Quality Assurance Supervisor
OVERVIEW: Create and maintain standard operating procedures for laboratory analysis and for bottling operations. Create a clean and efficient working environment in the laboratory to facilitate the Winemaker’s goals and vision of Iris wine styles. The Quality Assurance Supervisor reports directly to the Winemaker.
ESSENTIAL
FUNCTIONS: Inspect bottling line set-up of all bottling line supplies against specification sheet containing pertinent information provided by the Winemaker.
Inspect specification sheet regarding legal compliance requirements of the product, and any supplemental information.
Inspect bottling line machinery to ensure proper functioning.
Perform a visual inspection of the finished bottle and determine if the label, cork and top finish applications are acceptable according to the Winemaker’s specifications.
Perform required checks of all bottling line machines for proper function, line supplies against authorized specification sheet, legal compliance requirements and that the finished package consistently falls within working tolerances.
Perform DO checks to ensure proper wine integrity.
Visually inspect labels for absorption, paper stock, adhesion, die cuts and curl or grain.
Evaluate glass for capacity, visual defects and bottle dimensions.
Evaluate and audit finished packages, pallets and finished bottles.
Evaluate bottling line for any practice or condition that may compromise GMP’s or line sanitation.
Test labels for potential application and abrasion problems per required specifications.
Perform microbiological plating of bottled wine and/or evaluate results to determine approval for release of product to inventory.
Pull and hold any wine that may require further evaluation.
Collect samples using best practices.
When appropriate send samples out to ISO certified lab for analysis and interpret results.
Perform testing to confirm the effectiveness of line sanitation.
Ensure bottled wine integrity process is followed and all product place on hold is properly tagged in the Warehouse.
Complete entries into the Quality Incident Log when necessary.
Prepare and provide a summary bottling report for the Winemaker, General Manager and accounting department.
Develop a comprehensive Quality Assurance Program for Iris Vineyards for laboratory operations, bottling operations, bottled wine inventory and packaging inventory.
Develop a recall program which meets all applicable regulations, federal and state, and conforms to best industry practices.
Audit bulk and bottled inventory on a quarterly basis and confirm that physical inventory matches the winery database inventory.
Maintain a high standard of cleanliness in the cellar for all equipment - surfaces, tanks, fittings, pumps, hoses, etc. should be ready for use at all times.
Maintain winery protocols for sanitizing and keep tanks, fittings and other equipment sanitized.
Perform racking, filtering and blending operations per instructions.
Operate equipment responsibly and in a manner that preserves functionality.
With Winemaker’s help, manage vendors and service providers.
Develop written standards for in house lab analysis.
Establish a quality assurance program for all analysis performed in Iris Vineyards’ laboratory.
Perform lab analysis as required.
Maintain written records in lab journal of all labs performed; ensure that information is being entered into winery database completely and accurately.
Maintain a clean and neat laboratory environment; all equipment cleaned and put away, counters and floors wiped down, etc.
Keep written record of all wine additions and movements in IVIS software.
Create workorders in IVIS for cellar and lab workers as needed.
Ensure cellar and lab workers complete and sign workorders as assigned.
Develop a working knowledge of all cellar equipment.
Assure that work areas are clean and all fittings and equipment are returned to their proper places upon completion of.
Stop wine and lab work each day by 16:00 (except during harvest or as needed to complete critical tasks), leaving the balance of the day to perform all daily clean-up tasks as assigned.
Facilitate and participate in wine tastings with winery staff, make notes about the wines and discuss your impressions with others.
Perform other work when necessary, prudent and/or directed.
Participate in and facilitate shipping and receiving operations.
Attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this position.
PHYSICAL
DESCRIPTION:
Standing and walking on stone, cement and tile with daily climbing of stairs and ladders.
Entry into confined spaces. Sitting on padded swivel office chair, car seat. Navigation of
outdoor and uneven terrain as needed for evaluation of estate and off-site vineyards.
Repetitive use of hands and wrists for computer work and to open wine bottles, pour wine.
Use of phone. Must be able to stand for long periods of time, walk, reach with hands and
arms. Ability to taste and smell to differentiate flavors. Motions required for in and out
of vehicle. Lifting/carrying average weight frequently 40 lbs. Must be able to lift and/or
move up to 50 pounds. Pushing/pulling average weight frequently 50 lbs.
WORKING
CONDITIONS:
Must adhere to all policies and procedures of the company, including safety procedures and
use of personal protective equipment. Exposed to laboratory conditions, wine
production equipment noise, glass bottles, slippery, wet conditions, insects and general
noise from winery operations. Cleaning fermentation tanks including crawling inside.
Work extended hours during harvest. Assist loading and unloading of trucks. Visually
exposed to computer screens and fluorescent lighting. Must be able to stand for long periods
of time, walk, reach with hands and arms, taste and smell.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Keen interest in winery/winemaking business. Background in science and/or knowledge of
wine production a plu