Grape Procurement & Viticulture Specialist

KWV; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 540,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

KWV in Paarl, South Africa, seeks an emerging viticulture professional to assist the Chief Viticulturist with grape sourcing, procurement, and planning. You will guide growers, support vineyard management, and ensure intake quality while building strong supplier relationships and representing KWV across the industry.

The role emphasizes technical foundation growth, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management, with opportunities to travel and contribute to sustainable wine production.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Viticulture & Oenology.
• 3–5 years' experience in viticulture and wine procurement, within a large organization would be ideal/advantageous.
• Technical knowledge of vineyards, soils, terroir and their impact on wine quality.
• Familiarity with quality management systems, food safety standards and sustainability requirements.
• Strong analytical, strategic and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Computer literacy, with SAP experience being advantageous.
• Well-developed reporting and presentation skills.
• Well-developed sensory (taste and smell) assessment skills for evaluating grape and wine quality.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel extensively.
• Physically able to work in vineyards, including walking on uneven terrain and spending extended periods outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Grape Supply Management: Support growers through technical guidance and regular engagement.
• Grape Supply Management: Support the sourcing of grapes to ensure production requirements are met
• Grape Supply Management: Monitor and manage grape quality from vineyards through to intake.
• Grape Supply Management: Manage vineyard sample schedules and data capture while ensuring sampling accuracy
• Grape Supply Management: Collaborate with winemakers to plan and execute grape intake schedule and harvest planning
• Grape Supply Management: Manage all administrative activities relating to grape contracting and intake.
• Grape Supply Management: Monitor supplier compliance to KWV standards and 3rd party accreditations

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic planning

Negotiation skills

Relationship mgmt

Communication skills

SAP experience

Data analysis

Reporting & presentation

Vineyard knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualification in Viticulture & Oenology

Tools

SAP software

Job description

KWV in Paarl, South Africa, seeks an emerging viticulture professional to assist the Chief Viticulturist with grape sourcing, procurement, and planning. You will guide growers, support vineyard management, and ensure intake quality while building strong supplier relationships and representing KWV across the industry.

The role emphasizes technical foundation growth, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management, with opportunities to travel and contribute to sustainable wine production.