Winery Laboratory Lead

Job Title: Winery Laboratory Lead

Job Description

The Winery Laboratory Lead plays a crucial role in overseeing laboratory analysis that supports winemaking, cellar operations, and bottling readiness. This position ensures accurate, timely, and compliant testing while collaborating closely with winemaking and production teams. The Laboratory Lead manages daily lab operations, supports regulatory compliance, and provides technical expertise to ensure product quality and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee routine analytical testing including Brix, glucose/fructose, pH, titratable acidity (TA), volatile acidity, alcohol, free/total SO, malic and lactic acid, YAN, dissolved oxygen/CO, turbidity, residual sugar, color, and microbiological testing.
• Ensure timely monitoring of fermentation and production activity.
• Interpret results and communicate findings to support production decisions.
• Maintain accurate records for traceability and compliance.
• Oversee daily laboratory operations and support lab and QC staff.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure proper calibration, maintenance, and use of lab equipment.
• Manage lab inventory (reagents, chemicals, supplies) and maintain safety compliance.
• Ensure adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and quality standards.
• Provide analytical support for fermentation monitoring and product adjustments.
• Monitor malolactic fermentation and microbial stability.
• Support testing needs during harvest and production cycles.
• Collaborate with winemaking, cellar, and quality teams to meet production goals.
• Perform pre-bottling analysis including protein and cold stability, dissolved oxygen levels, and microbial stability.
• Verify products meet internal specifications and regulatory standards prior to bottling.
• Support bottling quality checks and finished product standards.
• Maintain accurate records to support audits, traceability, and compliance.
• Support regulatory documentation, such as reporting and export requirements.
• Maintain Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documentation and lab safety records.
• Participate in audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve lab efficiency and turnaround time.
• Support implementation of process improvements and organization standards such as 5S.
• Perform additional duties and projects as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field.
• 3-7 years of winery or similar laboratory experience.
• Strong understanding of wine chemistry and fermentation processes.
• Experience leading or supporting lab staff and coordinating workflow.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with lab equipment calibration and maintenance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• ERP or lab systems experience preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Work Environment

This role operates across laboratory, production, and cellar environments, including bottling areas. Conditions may include exposure to noise, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet surfaces, as well as interaction with chemicals, cleaning agents, and production equipment. Work occurs in both indoor and production environments, with extended hours, including evenings and weekends during peak/harvest periods. Use of PPE such as safety glasses, gloves, and protective footwear is required. The role requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods, frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive tasks, regular lifting up to 20 lbs, occasional lifting up to 40 lbs, manual dexterity for handling lab equipment and instruments, the ability to visually inspect samples and monitor equipment, and occasional climbing of stairs or ladders in production areas.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Acampo, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $31.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Acampo,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.