Lab Technician

Job Responsibilities

• Perform all routine analyses of musts and wines, including collecting tank and barrel samples.
• Understand and comply with the use of personal protective equipment and safety protocols.
• Comply with all safety regulations and safe storage of chemicals and supplies.
• Maintain lab in a clean, and orderly manner.
• Ability to calibrate equipment such as pH meter, autotitrator, turbidimeter, alcolyzer/DMA5000, Y15.
• Absorb and assist in training the seasonal staff.
• Maintain laboratory quality through the use of standards and controls.
• Maintain laboratory equipment in proper working order.
• Follow diagnostic steps to identify equipment problems.
• Recognize out of range wine analysis and communicate findings.
• Monitor tank fermentations during harvest and report anomalies.
• Process grape maturity samples.
• Absorb and assist in preparing trials and evaluations such as tastings, dosage and SO2 trials, and cork sensory.
• Microbiology skills in microscopy, monitoring yeast and bacteria cultures.
• Be responsible for, and accurately perform, production bottling line startup procedures.
• Perform sanitation Q.C. checks of tanks, lines, and production equipment.
• Perform secondary fermentation checks and keep records.
• Maintain lab in neat and orderly manner.
• Calibrate the compact group as needed, ensure correct liqueur and accurate dose for the sparkling wine being disgorged.
• Comply with all safety regulations and safe storage of chemicals and supplies.
• Demonstrate proficiency in mathematics; be able to perform all calculations the lab uses.
• Absorb and review and suggest edits for existing work instructions and procedures.
• Absorb and use winemaking software (Innovint) to record analysis and enter additions.
• Absorb and write work orders for SO2 additions.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Enology, Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field preferred or practical/professional experience in a food or beverage processing laboratory may be acceptable.

Personal & Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to work safely, including the proper use of protective equipment and proper handling of hazardous substances as specified in Hazardous Materials Training Program.
• Able to work flexible hours including overtime and weekends as needed.
• Able to work harmoniously with co-workers.
• Able to work independently and make decisions within comfort zone of competency and experience.
• Perform duties and responsibilities in a manner consistent with the company’s value of exhibiting the highest quality standards paying strict attention to all standards and documented processes.

Professional Experience & Know How

• Lab internship at an accredited university/winery and/or 2 years of experience working in a laboratory (preferred).