Wines Lab Techician II

Purpose
Assist Quality Control Manager in maintaining an efficient and precise laboratory to ensure optimal wine and package quality. Analyze and record routine bulk/bottled wine samples. Performs Bottling Line wine analysis. Maintain and manage quality records at Sonoma. Oversee Operations personnel QC checks and execute training when required.

Complexity of Role
· Plant Operations (Bottling, Cellar, Distribution)

· Vendor technical representatives

Financial Responsibility

Understands budget limitations and manages laboratory accordingly.

Management Responsibility

None.

Decision Making

Working closely with the Cellar team, the Lab Tech II decides the priority of analyses and coordinates workload to deliver all required analyses in an accurate, relevant and timely manner

The Lab Tech II must now how to approach anomalous data and results, and resolve issues concerning questionable analyses.

Based upon predetermined criteria, the Wines Lab Tech II decides when wines are cleared for bottling and retains the authority to stop the bottling line if specified risk criteria are determined to exist.

Utilizing company standards for quality, the Wines Lab Tech II decides whether to accept or reject a lot of incoming wine ingredients or packaging supplies for bottling. This responsibility often requires the Technician to decide when and if to contact vendors both to correct existing issues as well as proactively averting future issues.

Key Outputs/Deliverables (Identify the key results produced through listing the primary five to seven duties and responsibilities of your job.)

Perform incoming materials inspections, relevant analyses for release to bottling and post-bottling quality control and compliance. Conduct bottling line quality control when required.

Coordinate all laboratory activities to ensure that necessary analysis are completed on time by scheduling routine checks and setting priorities regarding work load

Perform finishing trials and stability checks to determine necessary levels and processing steps to be used in the cellar.

Comply with all GMP/PPE plant policies/rules.

Maintain all computerized analytical records in a neat and timely manner

Keeps up to date inventory of gases and chemical reagents and purchase needed supplies for production laboratory.

Ensure that all wine going to bottle meets production requirements.

Evaluate and ensure that all incoming packaging supplies and ingredients meet quality standards.

Monitor product sterility during bottling through periodic sampling and plating of bottled wine and samples from the sterile filter.

Analyze all bottled wines and perform bottling quality control checks to ensure standards are met.

Maintain records of QC wine analysis, bottling line checks and packaging evaluations.

Keep up-to-date records of all BATF approvals and color standards for all wines and packaging supplies.

Participate in the winery safety program and the pest control program.

Perform HACCP duties as necessary.

Other duties as assigned

Experience

Four-year BS or BA degree (Chemistry or Enology preferred) or 5 to 7 years Quality Control experience in lieu of a degree is acceptable.

Ability to work independently or in teams.

Ability to manage multiple projects.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, and attention to detail.

Good MS Excel & Word computer skills.

Good organizational, multitask, and problem solving skills.

Analytical capabilities.

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work at moderate heights.

Knowledge of wine sensory characteristics (a plus).

Knowledge of analytical procedures and equipment

Knowledge and understanding of Wine Microbiology.

Must be able to accurately and consistently follow established analytical procedures and directions.

Must have good driving record

Must be at least 21

Wines Lab Techician II