Boise
Company Desciption: Join us in making world-class wine in the beautiful, small city of Boise. Cinder and Laissez Faire are our brands, with all winemaking happening in our urban winery, 10 minutes from downtown Boise. We make 12,000 cases per year from local, Snake River Valley vineyards about 1 hour away. We are innovative and curious craftsmen who strive for excellence in a work environment that is fun and supportive but results driven. Our cellar operates on 6S manufacturing methodology and our company on Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Strategic Objective: The Winemaker is accountable for the smooth, efficient, and profitable operation of the Winemaking Department of Krause Family Cellars, LLC. The Winemaker supervises the cellar, lab, and winemaking teams. This role requires the ability to operate with a high level of independence and leadership. The Winemaker will be accountable for leading, managing, and holding accountable a team of employees that execute all aspects of the winery operations, the maintenance and improvement of the grounds, maintenance of the winery building, and maintenance and safe operation of all equipment. The Winemaker will collaborate with the Owners to achieve the winery’s goal of crafting high-quality wines while enhancing profitability. Core Responsibilities: Winemaking and Facility Operations: • Act as the primary winemaking department leader, ensuring production aligns with the Core Values of the winery., • Contribute to the Company Leadership Team., • Develop pertinent annual budgets including winemaking team wages, winery supplies, maintenance, utilities, lab supply and lab analysis and meet those budgets., • Hire and lead a team of employees to execute all winemaking and building/grounds maintenance and improvement., • Work with vendors to execute objectives not able to be handled in-house (maintenance of HVAC, electrical, fire, safety, and security, etc), • Lead the Cellar Team to develop and execute winemaking schedules and work orders efficiently., • Accountable for the accurate tracking of wine inventory, chemical status, winemaking stages, and production metrics through spreadsheets and other collaborative tools., • Implement current wine industry standards in equipment and technologies, • Conduct blending and finishing trials, independently or with the Owner, to refine winemaking processes and styles., • Accountable for the evaluation of all barrels, tanks, and storage vessels for quality prior to blending or usage., • Oversee routine laboratory analysis, including TA, pH, and SO2 testing, ensuring consistency and accuracy., • Ensure quality control steps are followed during bottling and all other winery activities., • Occasionally stepping in for the owner in evaluating vineyard quality and providing feedback on harvest timing, grape condition, and yield estimates. Team Leadership and Training: • Direct oversight of all winemaking and cellar personnel., • Foster a culture of accountability and teamwork, using Entrepreneurs Operating System (EOS) practices to ensure clear communication of expectations and standards to the production team., • Perform performance reviews and award bonuses to establish growth plans and achieve professional development benchmarks by personnel., • Create Winemaking Wage Budgets to optimize company performance., • Foster a culture of safety, including creating safety protocols, overseeing the safe operation of equipment and proper chemical handling., • Cooperate with other members of the Leadership Team to enhance the sales team's ability to promote sales through event coordination, monitoring wine supply, enabling winery tours and other promotional events that take place at the winery. Creative Contributions and Wine Portfolio Development: • Contribute to stylistic goal-setting and innovation in wine development, including introducing new practices or ideas to enhance the winery’s portfolio. Public and Industry Engagement: • Represent Cinder at occasional Wine Club events, tours, tastings, and press or trade opportunities to enhance the winery’s public image., • Serve as a knowledgeable and approachable resource for the sales team, customers, trade professionals, and industry partners. Skills and Competencies: Leadership Skills: • Must be able to lead direct reports to create a culture of accountability, excellence, safety, and fun., • Must be able to participate in the leadership decision making process of the Company along with other members of the Leadership Team. Analytical Thinking: • Ability to use past data and future projections to create budgets that meet the Company’s profitability goals and adhere to those budgets., • Ability to identify problems, gather and interpret data, and make decisions to ensure production goals are met., • Strong prioritization and organizational skills to manage complex schedules of employees and winemaking timelines. Technical Knowledge: • Proficiency with laboratory equipment, winemaking processes, and chemical analysis., • Advanced computer skills, including email, spreadsheets, word processing, and cloud-based storage tools. Communication: • Clear and effective verbal and written communication with diverse audiences, including team members, trade professionals, and customers. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.) in a related field and at least 7 years of progressive winemaking experience., • Demonstrated ability to make independent winemaking decisions aligned with stylistic goals., • Demonstrated leadership abilities., • Valid driver’s license, insurable driving record, and reliable transportation, smart phone., • Learn and practice 6S manufacturing methodology, • Learn and practice Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), • Have or obtain Forklift certification, • Obtain and maintain CPR certification, • Speak and write clearly in English, • Record keep accurately and in a timely manner, • Must be able to do basic math and algebra as related to winemaking accurately., • Understand and effectively use various software applications such as Google Drive Docs, Sheets, Calendar; email; text; Innovint; and OnX., • Must be able to work varying shifts, weekends and overtime as needed particularly during the harvest season., • Must be able to work safely around equipment, electrical outlets, and chemicals., • Must be able to perform all other duties as assigned by management. Compensation and Benefits: • $70,000-$90,000/year based on experience, • Annual bonus based on personal and company performance, • Health Care Coverage including medical, dental, vision & prescription, • Paid Vacation, • Simple IRA program with Employer Match, • Employee Wine Discounts