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.
As Head of Winery & Operations, you’ll lead a multi‑disciplinary team and oversee every stage of the journey from grape to bottle. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring operational efficiency, maintaining the highest standards of quality and health & safety, and delivering products that meet both commercial goals and consumer expectations.
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
- Enhanced company pension contributions
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Private health cover
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Income protection insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced parental leave
- Generous staff discount
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