WELCOME TO THE TEAM - PROTECH STAFFING IS HIRING!
Advance your career in the wine industry as a Winery Laboratory Lead! If you are a detail-oriented laboratory professional with experience in wine chemistry, fermentation science, and quality assurance, this is an exciting opportunity to lead laboratory operations while supporting winemaking, production, and bottling activities in a dynamic winery environment.
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CALL US: 209-800-0753
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Position: Winery Laboratory Lead
Department: Quality
Location: Acampo, CA
Range of Pay: $26.75 - $31.50 per hour
Shift: Day Shift (additional hours, weekends, and overtime as needed) 7am to 3:30 pm - Monday to Friday plus either a Saturday or Sunday
Type: Full-Time, Temp-to-hire
Job Summary:
The Winery Laboratory Lead is responsible for overseeing all laboratory analysis supporting winemaking, cellar operations, and bottling readiness. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant laboratory testing while maintaining strong collaboration with winemaking and production teams. The Laboratory Lead manages daily laboratory operations, supports regulatory compliance, and provides technical expertise in wine chemistry and microbiology to ensure wines meet internal quality standards and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Wine & Juice Analysis
Oversee routine analytical testing including Brix, glucose/fructose, pH, titratable acidity, volatile acidity, alcohol, free and total SO?, malic and lactic acid monitoring, YAN, dissolved oxygen/CO?, turbidity, residual sugar, color, and microbiological testing.
Ensure timely analysis and reporting of fermentation monitoring results during harvest and production.
Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to support winemaking decisions.
Maintain accurate analytical records to support compliance and product traceability.
Laboratory Management
Oversee daily laboratory operations and provide guidance to laboratory staff and quality support personnel.
Develop, maintain, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory testing and analytical methods.
Ensure proper calibration, maintenance, and operation of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
Manage laboratory inventory, including reagents, chemicals, and testing supplies.
Ensure laboratory operations comply with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and internal quality standards.
Winemaking & Production Support
Provide analytical support for fermentation monitoring, sulfur dioxide management, and blend trials.
Monitor malolactic fermentation progress and microbial stability.
Support laboratory analysis needs during harvest and production periods.
Collaborate closely with winemaking, cellar, production, and quality teams to achieve wine quality objectives.
Bottling & Stability Readiness
Conduct pre-bottling analysis including protein stability, cold stability, dissolved oxygen levels, and microbial stability.
Verify wines meet internal specifications and regulatory requirements prior to bottling.
Support bottling quality verification and finished product quality standards.
Compliance & Documentation
Maintain laboratory records supporting traceability, audits, and regulatory compliance.
Assist with regulatory documentation and reporting requirements, including TTB and export compliance.
Maintain the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) library and chemical safety documentation.
Participate in internal audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, analytical methods, and turnaround times.
Support implementation of process improvements and laboratory organization standards, including 5S initiatives.
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, or a related field required.
Three to seven years of winery laboratory experience with a strong understanding of wine chemistry and fermentation science.
Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coordinate laboratory activities and support cross-functional teams.
Experience supporting harvest operations and winery production environments preferred.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and data interpretation skills.
Experience with laboratory instrumentation calibration and maintenance.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with winery ERP systems or laboratory data management systems preferred.
Knowledge of TTB regulations and wine compliance standards.
Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
Work Environment:
Combination of laboratory, production, cellar, warehouse, bottling line, and office environments.
Exposure to varying temperatures, humidity, dust, wet surfaces, and elevated noise levels from production equipment.
Regular exposure to chemicals, sanitizers, laboratory reagents, and cleaning agents while following established safety procedures.
May require access to cellar spaces, tank areas, bottling facilities, and other production environments.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, gloves, and protective footwear may be required.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout laboratory and production areas.
Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks including sampling, testing, measuring, and documenting quality data.
Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and movement throughout production and storage areas.
Ability to work in varying temperatures and humid conditions common in winery environments.
Manual dexterity required to operate laboratory equipment, testing instruments, and small tools.
Ability to visually inspect wine samples, monitor laboratory instruments, and review quality data.
Occasional climbing of stairs or ladders when accessing tanks, production equipment, and storage locations.
Protech Staffing is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce.
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Location: In Person