Lead Vineyard Operations—Autonomy & Board Visibility

winejobsonline.com; Otago; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation

Vehicle provided

KiwiSaver

Job summary

McArthur Ridge Wines is seeking a Head of Vineyard Operations to oversee vineyard activities across Central Otago sites. The role reports to the Board and offers autonomy to build a strong team and drive commercial and technical excellence.

You will manage seasonal and permanent staff, budgets, and asset care, while ensuring safety and compliance. A tertiary viticulture qualification and NZ driver's licence are required.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in viticulture, horticulture or a related discipline.
• 5+ years' vineyard management experience.
• Strong people leadership experience, including managing seasonal and contract teams.
• Solid technical knowledge of cool-climate viticulture, ideally Pinot Noir, including frost-fighting.
• Genuine commercial acumen - budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Confidence with vineyard technology systems, including irrigation control and monitoring.
• ChemCert/Growsafe certification (or willingness to obtain), and a full, clean NZ driver's licence.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the seasonal viticulture programme to produce award-winning fruit across McArthur Ridge and managed vineyards.
• Lead, roster and develop a team including assistant managers, an administrator, and permanent, seasonal and contract vineyard staff.
• Manage budgets, forecasting, and vineyard assets and infrastructure.
• Report regularly and directly to the Board.
• Manage external relationships, including water infrastructure partner and other vineyard owners.
• Uphold safe work practices and compliance across all vineyard operations.

Skills

Leadership

Vineyard management

Viticulture knowledge

Budgeting & forecasting

Board reporting

Irrigation tech

Safety compliance

People management

Contract staff management

Education

Tertiary qualification in viticulture/horticulture

Tools

Irrigation control systems

Farm machinery

Job description

McArthur Ridge Wines is seeking a Head of Vineyard Operations to oversee vineyard activities across Central Otago sites. The role reports to the Board and offers autonomy to build a strong team and drive commercial and technical excellence.

You will manage seasonal and permanent staff, budgets, and asset care, while ensuring safety and compliance. A tertiary viticulture qualification and NZ driver's licence are required.