Assistant Laboratory Manager

Australian Vintage Limited; Buronga; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 weeks primary parental leave +super

4 weeks secondary parental leave +uper

Mental Health First Aid Training

Annual product allowance

Staff discounts

Loyalty, birthday, volunteer leave

Sabbaticals and career breaks

Continuation of superannuation during/

Retirement packages available

Job summary

Australian Vintage Limited is seeking an experienced laboratory professional to step into the role of Assistant Laboratory Manager at our Buronga Hill Winery, a short drive from Mildura. This 14‑month fixed-term parental leave opportunity offers leadership experience while remaining hands-on in a busy commercial winery laboratory.

Working with the Laboratory Manager, you will lead the day-to-day operations, balance workflow, people, samples and production priorities, and provide technical

Qualifications

• Experience in winery laboratory or similar lab environment
• Experience coordinating lab operations in high-volume production
• Strong knowledge of lab analysis and testing methods
• Good organizational skills to manage priorities
• People coaching and development abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication across teams
• Proficiency with MS Office and laboratory information systems
• Commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement
• Certificate, Diploma or tertiary qualification in Laboratory Technology or related discipline

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of the laboratory and manage workflow, scheduling, and priorities
• Provide hands-on laboratory analysis and technical guidance to the team
• Coordinate staff and resources as volumes and priorities shift
• Oversee sample dispatch and ensure timely preparation and dispatch of critical samples
• Coach and support Laboratory Technicians to build capability and performance
• Monitor equipment, consumables and systems to ensure availability
• Collaborate with Winemaking, Production, Quality and Maintenance to address needs
• Investigate issues, troubleshoot equipment and improve lab processes
• Step in for the Laboratory Manager during busy periods

Job description

Ready to take the next step in your Laboratory Career

Australian Vintage has an exciting opportunity for an experienced laboratory professional to step into the role of Assistant Laboratory Manager at our Buronga Hill Winery, just a short drive from Mildura.

This is a 14 month fixed term parental leave opportunity, offering the chance to build valuable leadership experience while remaining hands on in a busy commercial winery laboratory.

Working alongside our Laboratory Manager, you will be the operational leader of the laboratory and their designated deputy, leading the day to day workflow and supporting a team of Laboratory Technicians. You will help ensure our Winemaking, Production and Quality teams receive accurate, reliable and timely laboratory services when they need them. PD - Assistant Laboratory Manag…

Whether you already have leadership experience or are an experienced laboratory professional ready to take that next step, this is an opportunity to broaden your skills, lead a team and gain meaningful management experience in a large-scale winemaking environment.

About Australian Vintage

At Australian Vintage (AV), our purpose is to make the world a smaller place through sharing good times.

Australian Vintage is an ASX listed company and owner of the multi-award winning McGuigan, Tempus Two, Nepenthe, Barossa Valley Wine Company, POCO VINO ™ and Lemsecco ™ brands.

Innovation and sustainability are an important part of how we operate. Our Merbein Packaging Winery and Buronga Hill Winery are powered by 100% wind and solar energy, supporting our commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions across our value chain by 2040.

We are also proud to be recognised by Mental Health First Aid Australia as an accredited Mental Health First Aid workplace.

Employment Details

This is a full-time, 14 month fixed term position providing parental leave cover, working a minimum 38 hours per week based at our Buronga Hill Winery.

This is an on-site role and is not a hybrid work from home position.

The role primarily supports our day to day laboratory operations; during Vintage the role will require weekend and shift work as this is a peak operational period.

Outside of the vintage period there will be some shift and weekend work will be required when laboratory operations demand it.

What you’ll be doing

No two days in a busy winery laboratory are quite the same.

You will take the lead on the day to day operation of the laboratory, balancing workflow, people, samples and changing production priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy, quality and safety.

As Assistant Laboratory Manager, you will help keep the laboratory running smoothly day to day, balancing people, workflow and changing winery priorities while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.

You will:

• Lead and support the Laboratory team through the daily workflow, making sure priorities and turnaround times are achieved
• Stay hands on with laboratory analysis while providing technical guidance and support to the team
• Coordinate people and resources as sample volumes and winery priorities change
• Oversee Sample Dispatch, working closely with Winemaking and Production to make sure critical samples are prepared and dispatched on time
• Coach and support Laboratory Technicians, helping build confidence, capability and performance within the team
• Keep an eye on laboratory equipment, consumables and systems so the team has what it needs to operate effectively
• Work closely with Winemaking, Production, Quality and Maintenance to solve problems and respond to changing operational needs
• Help investigate issues, troubleshoot equipment and improve the way laboratory processes work
• Step in for the Laboratory Manager when required and provide confident operational leadership during busy periods

What we’re looking for

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical capability with a practical and supportive approach to leadership. You will ideally bring:

• Experience working within a winery laboratory or comparable laboratory environment
• Experience coordinating laboratory operations or working in a high-volume production environment
• Sound knowledge of laboratory analysis and testing methodologies
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing and time-critical priorities
• Confidence coaching, guiding and developing others
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships across operational teams
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and laboratory information systems
• A commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement

A Certificate, Diploma or tertiary qualification in Laboratory Technology, Laboratory Operations, Science or a related discipline is required.

Why this opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take an important step into laboratory leadership while remaining connected to the technical work.

You will work with an experienced team in a large commercial winemaking environment where laboratory results directly support decisions across Winemaking, Production and Quality.

For someone looking to develop their leadership career, the role offers genuine responsibility for people, workflow, laboratory systems and continuous improvement while working alongside and being supported by the Laboratory Manager.

AV Benefits

AV is proud to offer a strong benefits package that we know can make a big difference to work life and life outside of work.

• Primary carer parental leave offering 26-weeks paid leave plus super
• Secondary carer parental leave offering 4-weeks paid leave plus super
• Mental Health First Aid Training and access to EAP
• Annual Product allowance and employee perks
• Staff discounts on AV products at McGuigan Wines, Tempus Two and Nepenthe Cellar Doors
• Loyalty | Birthday | Volunteer Leave and options to purchase additional annual leave
• Sabbaticals and career breaks
• Continuation of superannuation while on paid and unpaid parental leave
• Retirement Packages available subject to eligibility criteria

Ready for your next step?

If you are an experienced laboratory professional who enjoys solving problems, supporting people and keeping a busy laboratory running well, ready to take on a new career challenge for the next 14 months, we would love to hear from you.

You may already have leadership experience, or you may be an experienced laboratory professional ready to demonstrate what you can do.

Applicants must have valid Australian working rights for the position.

Australian Vintage values a diverse and inclusive workplace. Appointments are made based on the skills, experience and merit of each applicant, and we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

To find out more about this position contact our People & Culture Team at ******@avlwines.com.au.

Applications Open: Friday 16th October 2026

Applications Close: Friday 30th October 2026

To learn more about Australian Vintage, please visit our website at: https://www.australianvintage.com.au