Vineyard Manager (Wine Jobs: Vineyards & Cellars )

  Green Spring Farms

  Monmouth, Oregon

Job Description

Vineyard Manager

Green Spring Farms, LLC is the farm management entity for Farmland LP that actively manages about 18,500 acres of diversified organic and conventional crops located in California, Oregon, and Washington states is currently seeking a Manager for our Oregon wine grape vineyard operations.

The Vineyard Manager will actively manage operations of the company’s wine grape production and development operations in the Willamette Valley area of Oregon. He/she is a member of the company management team that delivers crop yields and quality at a cost sufficient to meet planned operational budgets, sales, and profitability targets. He/she is responsible for all aspects of wine grape production from planning and budgeting including field preparation, planting, trellis and irrigation infrastructure, cultivation, canopy management, irrigation, fertility, and integrated pest management through harvest.
This is a management position leading operations for the vineyard team whose success is dependent upon achieving results through subordinates, consultants, staff, and peers while supporting and partnering with company leaders.

The Oregon vineyard operation currently has about 650 acres in production and an additional 270 acres in development, with vineyards in the Buena Vista and Dundee areas, with potential expansion as available.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:
•  Wine Grape Farming. Manage the company’s premium wine grape vineyards. Manage day to day operations in conjunction with the current vineyard manager, assistant manager, and supervisors to deliver crops that meet or exceed budgeted yields, quality, and cost. Plan and direct new vineyard establishment activity as needed.
•  Budgeting and Financial Performance. Work with management and staff to create development capital expenditure and annual operating budgets. Deliver revenue and operating income to meet or exceed budgeted expectations of management. Monitor task specific costs to identify savings on operational expenses.
•  Property Maintenance. Maintain all vineyards, perimeters, irrigation and related infrastructure, and facilities to ensure they are safe, well maintained, and free of excess weeds and debris.
•  Data and Information Management. Capture and maintain accurate and timely crop, labor, field work, inputs, and application records including yields and cost per acre by farm, field, and variety. Manage employee time and attendance information to ensure accurate and timely recording and reporting of employees’ hours worked utilizing company software systems.
•  Company and Buyer Required Certification Programs. Manage and ensure execution of company and buyer required programs and reports including Employee Training and Safety, Food Safety, Pesticide use reporting, and third-party certifications as required by the company and its customers.
•  Staffing and Services. Plan, hire, train, and manage both year-around and seasonal staff to deliver planned crops and services while meeting or beating planned expense targets. Manage, oversee, and delegate responsibility to staff to ensure operations are conducted safely and efficiently. Ensure timely recruiting, hiring, and lay-off of permanent, seasonal and farm labor contractor staff. Work in conjunction with consultants, vendors, and buyers to provide necessary services to maximize yields, protect and deliver the best quality grapes to our buyers.
•  Any other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships
•  Reports to General Manager of Green Spring Farms.
•  Direct reports include Assistant Manager, company employees, and Farm Labor Contractors.
Preferred Qualifications:
•  Bachelor’s Degree in Viticulture or related agricultural field of study or 5+ years of vineyard management experience.
•  Previous experience in vineyard management or similar crop development and production is a plus.
•  Current OR issued pesticide licenses, or the ability to get one is desired, and a plus.
•  Current and valid driver’s license.
•  Ability to operate MS Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
•  Ability to act as a representative of Green Spring Farms and Farmland LP dealing with vendors, buyers, and consultants.
•  Bilingual in Spanish is desired, but not required.

Benefits and Provisions:
•  Salary depends on experience and qualifications.
•  Company vehicle will be provided for execution of duties.
•  Company phone, laptop computer or adequate stipend provided.
•  Medical and Life Insurance provided and Dental Insurance available to purchase.
•  401K with company match available.
•  Relocation assistance is available. Levels to be negotiated.

Green Spring Farms and Farmland LP are equal opportunity employers.