Seasonal Lab Technician 1 - Ripon

The Wine Group; Ripon (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Stay Pay Bonus

Job summary

The Wine Group is seeking a Seasonal Lab Technician I in California to perform routine and non-routine chemical analyses for quality control and R&D during harvest season (now through October). The role requires wet-lab experience or a related degree and shift flexibility.

You will operate lab instruments (Y15, Alcolyzer, spectrophotometers, pH meters), prepare solutions, collect and report data on wine inventory, and support safety procedures. Bonus available for full harvest coverage.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older at time of hire.
• High school diploma required; AS/BS in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science or related field preferred but not required.
• Must be able to work swing or graveyard shift.
• Previous winery experience desired, but training may be provided.
• Good working knowledge of analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and multiple projects.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and basic software.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently within guidelines.
• Strong knowledge of production/manufacturing operations.
• Clear verbal and written communication with management.
• Willing to work at heights up to 30 feet.
• Ability to prioritize and adapt to changing priorities.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work in a team and follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Performs wine quality analysis for grape maturity, juice, fermentation, and QC.
• Monitors barrel aging, cellar operations, and storage.
• Operates lab equipment and maintains calibration.
• Prepares standardized chemical solutions and reagents.
• Executes data collection and monthly analysis for wine inventory.
• Validates methods and equipment used in the lab.
• Runs Test Stand and samples from tanks up to 30 feet high.
• Duties may change with notice.

Skills

Lab analysis

Instrument calibration

Data reporting

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma

AS/BS in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science

Tools

Y15

Alcolyzer

Spectrophotometers

pH meters

Refractometer

Titration equipment

Job description

The Wine Group (TWG) is a leading producer of award-winning wines and alcoholic beverages across 120+ brands. With operations in California, New York and Australia, TWG is an innovator in developing and marketing brands beloved by consumers globally, including Cupcake, Franzia, Benziger, Imagery, Tribute, Chloe, Meiomi, Cooks, 7 Deadly, Cooper & Thief, and more. We produce our products using sustainable practices to create delicious beverages that people can feel good about. Visit us at www.thewinegroup.com.

Job Summary

The Seasonal Lab Technician 1 reports to the Lab Quality Services Manager and is responsible for performing non-routine / routine chemical / physical analysis, tests required for quality control, research, and development purposes for the evaluation of raw ingredients, and products and processes. Assists in compiling, analyzing, and interpreting results. This is a seasonal position for the harvest season from now through approximately October. Ideal candidates will have either previous wet lab experience, and/or a degree involving heavy lab work (Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, etc.). Must be able to work either swing or graveyard shift.

• Additional Stay Pay Bonus opportunity for staying the entire harvest season!

Essential Functions

• Performs wine quality analysis pertaining to grape maturity, White and Red juice analysis, fermentation tracking, press analysis, monthly QC, barrel monitoring, cellar / aging operations, and storage.
• Ensures accurate operations of all laboratory equipment / instrumentation such as Y15, Alcolyzer, spectrophotometers, pH meters, aeration-oxidation, cash stills, etc. Ability to troubleshoot when necessary to ensure accurate results.
• Additions and preparation of yeast and yeast nutrients to tanks and barrels.
• Performs non-routine and routine analysis utilizing appropriate distillation, titrimetric, colorimetric, and instrumental methods as required.
• Operates laboratory instruments such as a refractometer, balances, turbidity meters, and other instruments as required to perform duties.
• Maintains and calibrates analytical instruments in the laboratory in optimum operation condition. Work directly with suppliers' technical staff to resolve maintenance issues. Recommend new equipment and assists in selecting suppliers and appropriate accessories for proposed equipment.
• Maintains and calibrates analytical instruments in the laboratory in optimum operation condition.
• Understands the proper use and preparation of standardized chemical solutions used in the laboratory. Ability to perform preparations when needed.
• Executes data collection, analysis, and reporting of monthly analysis on Inventory of wines held in cellar. Accurately report analysis and flag possible issues.
• Validates methods and equipment using a range of analytical techniques and instrumentation.
• As needed, run Test Stand, and pull samples from top of tanks at high heights up to 30 feet.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older at time of hire.
• High school diploma required. A.S. or B.S. in Enology, Chemistry, Food Science, or related field preferred, but not required.
• Must be able to work either swing shift or graveyard shift.
• Previous winery experience desired but we will consider training the right person.
• Good working and theoretical knowledge of analytical instrumentation
• Ability to work in an environment that has changing priorities and multiple projects.
• Proficient in the following computer applications: Microsoft Word, Excel, VA, and ability to learn new programs.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with attention to detail
• Ability to set priorities and work independently within set guidelines.
• Strong knowledge of production / manufacturing operations
• Provide good verbal and written communications to all levels of management, both internally and externally
• Must be willing and able to work at high heights up to 30 feet.
• Prioritize while able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Demonstrated reliability and punctuality, work effectively in team / crew environment, adherence to all safety regulations and operating procedures.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to frequently lift and carry weights of up to 50 pounds at varying frequencies.
• Working environment is both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to related equipment and noise levels.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, standing, and twisting in the lab and production environment.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Compensation

• Hourly Pay Rate Posted: $22.00/hr.

At The Wine Group, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristic protected by law.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Services Agreement, we will not consider, or agree to, payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event that a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, we explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.