Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead wine production, manage budgets, and ensure quality control in a dynamic winery environment.
- Company: Join Hambledon Vineyard, a pioneering force in English sparkling wine, backed by industry leaders.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, staff wine allowance, and support for your professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team shaping the future of wine with exciting new styles and trials.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in winery operations, strong financial skills, and knowledge of winemaking processes required.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor and develop teams while working closely with top industry professionals.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Head of Wine Operations is a senior role in our wine leadership team, responsible for overseeing wine production, contract winemaking services, procurement, logistics, inventory management, and operational budgeting. Working closely with the Head Winemaker, finance, and commercial teams, the role will ensure efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery across all technical and logistical aspects of Hambledon’s wine production.
Key Responsibilities:
- Wine Production Management
- Oversee wine production from tirage to finished floor stock aligning production schedules with winemaking objectives and sales forecasts.
- Maintain high standards in quality control, health and safety, and team performance throughout production activities.
- Collaborate with the winemaking team to maintain quality and consistency across all wines.
- Be part of the leadership group for the development and execution of new wine styles, production trials, and innovations.
- Financial Responsibility
- Co-author (with the Head Winemaker) and manage the operational budget for wine production, including forecasting, cost control, and reporting.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings, capital investment planning, grant funding, and operational improvements.
- Ensure all HMRC duty requirements are met by the business and be the point of contact for Hambledon’s HMRC representative.
- Contract Winemaking
- Serve as the primary contact for all contract clients, delivering Hambledon’s budget and business development plan.
- Ensure all clients have a new contract in place and manage any renewals as required.
- Deliver efficient planning, reporting, and logistics tailored to each contract customer’s needs.
- Procurement and Inventory
- Take full ownership of procurement for dry goods, packaging, and cellar supplies.
- Work with suppliers to negotiate terms and ensure timely, cost-effective purchasing.
- Oversee inventory control of finished goods and packaging materials.
- Quality Control and Compliance
- Work with the Head Winemaker for lab analysis to ensure all wines meet internal and PDO standards.
- Maintain rigorous quality assurance, leading the Hambledon Quality Control process post tirage.
- Ensure detailed, compliant records are maintained to support traceability, audits, and operational safety.
- Ensure wine production hygiene, drinks safety standards, and compliance with relevant certifications, especially HACCP.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Train, supervise, and mentor the post-production and cellar teams, implementing an apprentice scheme.
- Foster a positive, efficient, and safety-conscious team culture.
Qualifications and Experience:
Required:
- 5+ years of production and operations experience in a commercial winery, preferably with English sparkling wine.
- Proven experience managing contract winemaking relationships and client expectations.
- Strong knowledge of winemaking workflows, procurement, and inventory systems.
- Demonstrated financial accountability and operational budget management.
- Familiarity with wine compliance (HMRC, HACCP, PDO) and traceability systems.
- Experience with winery software and production management systems.
- WSET Level 2+
Preferred:
- Degree in Oenology, supply chain, or a related field.
- Forklift licence (or willingness to obtain).
Salary & Benefits:
- Competitive salary, based on experience.
- Staff wine allowance.
- Support for professional development.
- Part of one of the UK’s most exciting new joint ventures between Symington Family Estates and Berry Bros & Rudd.
To Apply: Please send your CV and cover letter to James Osborn at careers@hambledonvineyard.co.uk. Closing date for applications: 25th June 2025.
Head of Wine Operations employer: Hambledon Wine Estate
Contact Detail:
Hambledon Wine Estate Recruiting Team
careers@hambledonvineyard.co.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Wine Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the wine industry, especially those who have experience in English sparkling wine. Attend wine fairs, tastings, and industry events to make connections that could lead to opportunities at Hambledon.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in winemaking and production management software. Being knowledgeable about these tools can set you apart as a candidate who is ready to contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of financial accountability by preparing examples of how you've managed budgets or identified cost-saving opportunities in previous roles. This will show your potential value to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Hambledon's current wine styles and production methods. Being able to discuss their products and how you can contribute to their innovation will impress during any discussions with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Wine Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in wine production and operations. Emphasise your management skills, financial accountability, and any specific achievements in previous roles that align with the responsibilities of the Head of Wine Operations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the wine industry and detail how your background makes you a perfect fit for this role. Mention your experience with contract winemaking and your ability to lead teams effectively.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, especially if you have a degree in Oenology or related fields. Include any certifications like WSET Level 2+ and mention your familiarity with compliance standards such as HMRC and HACCP.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Since this is a senior role, emphasise your leadership experience. Discuss how you've trained and developed teams in the past, and provide examples of how you've fostered a positive team culture in previous positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hambledon Wine Estate
✨Showcase Your Industry Knowledge
Make sure to demonstrate your understanding of the wine production process, especially in relation to English sparkling wine. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques and innovations you've implemented in previous roles.
✨Highlight Financial Acumen
Since the role involves managing operational budgets, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed budgets in the past. Discuss any cost-saving initiatives you've led and how they positively impacted your previous employers.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
This position requires strong leadership abilities. Prepare to talk about your experience in training and mentoring teams, and how you've fostered a positive work culture in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of compliance in this role, brush up on relevant regulations such as HMRC, HACCP, and PDO standards. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past positions and the systems you used to maintain quality control.
