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- Tasks: Lead the winemaking process from grape to bottle, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Join Bolney Wine Estate, renowned for award-winning English wines.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, birthday off, and public holidays.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a passionate wine community.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of winemaking and make a real impact on quality and operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in winery operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We have a unique opportunity to join Bolney Wine Estate as our Head of Winery & Operations. At Bolney Wine Estate, we are proud to produce award-winning English wines, combining tradition, innovation, and a commitment to quality. This role sits at the heart of our operation - bringing together people, process, and product to deliver outstanding results aligned with our long-term strategy and growth ambitions.
This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on, detail-oriented leader with strong planning capability, a passion for winemaking, and the ability to balance technical excellence with commercial thinking.
What you’ll be doing:
- Oversee the full winemaking lifecycle including vineyard management, grape sourcing, harvesting, production, blending, bottling, warehousing, and supply chain.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams across winery, production, vineyard, warehouse, and technical functions.
- Plan and manage production schedules to deliver finished products on time and within budget.
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety regulations, leading best practices across all operational areas.
- Maintain exceptional quality standards at every stage, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and accreditation requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement across operations, identifying efficiencies, cost savings, and process enhancements.
- Manage supply chain activities including procurement of fruit, dry goods, and production materials.
- Ensure accurate record-keeping, inventory management, and regulatory reporting (including HMRC requirements).
- Oversee product traceability across the entire supply chain.
- Lead operational audits and ensure site compliance across all areas.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, marketing, hospitality, and other teams to align production with demand and customer insights.
- Support strategic planning including mid-term production, CAPEX investment, and product development.
- Deliver regular performance updates and insights to senior leadership.
What we’re looking for:
- Significant winery and operational experience, including strong technical knowledge of winemaking processes.
- Proven leadership experience, with a positive and engaging management style that motivates multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong understanding of vineyard operations, production, and supply chain management.
- A detail-oriented and highly organised approach, with excellent planning and scheduling capability.
- A strong commitment to health & safety, with experience leading compliance in operational environments.
- Commercial awareness, with the ability to balance quality, cost, and efficiency.
- A proactive problem solver, comfortable working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
- Experience managing audits, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.
- Hands-on approach with the ability to operate in a physically demanding environment when required.
- A passion for wine and creating exceptional products.
What we offer:
25 days annual leave + birthday day off + public holidays.
Bolney - Head of Winery & Operations in Haywards Heath employer: Freixenet Copestick
Contact Detail:
Freixenet Copestick Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bolney - Head of Winery & Operations in Haywards Heath
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the wine industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Bolney Wine Estate inside out. Understand their values, products, and recent news. We want to see your passion for winemaking shine through when you talk about how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Bring examples of your past work in winery operations and how you’ve led teams to success. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their skills and knowledge in real-world scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to make a difference in the world of winemaking.
We think you need these skills to ace Bolney - Head of Winery & Operations in Haywards Heath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Winemaking: When writing your application, let your love for winemaking shine through! Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your journey in the industry. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about the role.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your relevant experience in winery operations and leadership. We appreciate when candidates take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for at Bolney Wine Estate.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We value clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for Head of Winery & Operations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Bolney Wine Estate.
How to prepare for a job interview at Freixenet Copestick
✨Know Your Wine Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of winemaking processes and the specific wines produced by Bolney Wine Estate. Being able to discuss their award-winning wines and how they align with industry standards will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing multi-disciplinary teams. Think about times when you motivated your team or improved operational efficiency, as this role requires a hands-on leader who can inspire others.
✨Demonstrate Your Planning Skills
Be ready to discuss your approach to planning and scheduling production. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed timelines and budgets in previous roles, as this is crucial for ensuring timely delivery of products.
✨Emphasise Health & Safety Commitment
Since health and safety compliance is key in this role, prepare to talk about your experience in leading compliance initiatives. Share specific instances where you implemented best practices or improved safety standards in your previous positions.