The client is seeking a Director of Operations to lead wine production activities and teams, including fruit supply chain management, maintaining partnerships with west coast vineyard and processing facilities, overseeing local vineyard operations, cellar/winemaking, barrel programs, bottling/packaging, warehousing, inventory control, and distribution for both still and sparkling wine production. The role provides strategic direction for beverage production and supports quality control, regulatory compliance, capacity management, facility sanitation, and team development, while partnering strategically with the VP of Beverage Marketing & Sales to help maintain optimal supply/demand inventory balance.
The Director of Operations will develop and execute production goals to optimize efficiency and capacity utilization, increase capacity as needed, and foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable value aligned with the client’s stated Value Cycle. In leadership of winemakers and distillers, the role will help ensure consistent quality across the company’s wine and select spirits SKUs while maintaining the company’s beverage style and taste profile. Responsibilities will also extend to a craft distillery on the estate for the production of select spirits as it becomes operational in the coming years.
Direct reports include Winemakers, Cellar Manager, and Bottling & Warehouse Manager, with dotted-line leadership of the Beverage Controller. The role requires ten years of beverage operations leadership experience, preferably at a senior level, and previous wine production experience is mandatory. The client prefers a four-year degree and values specialized training, education, or certifications as helpful, along with strong guest-service delivery, proven team leadership and development, exceptional interpersonal communication and negotiation skills, excellent organizational and planning abilities, and knowledge of a three-tier sales system; proficiency with common productivity tools is expected, with additional presentation software knowledge helpful.