Assistant Winemaker

Company: Plumpton College
Closing Date: 06-01-2025
Location: Plumpton, Lewes BN7 3AE
Salary: up to £28,896 per annum pro rata if p/t
Hours: up to 37.5 per week

Description

Plumpton College is the leader of land and environment education in the Southeast, renowned for our outstanding cutting-edge practice and ability to align delivery to meet the needs of local and national employers. With a significant growth in our student numbers in recent years the organisation has made great progress in achieving its ambitious future vision to be providing ever more students equipped for their future careers in these all-important disciplines.

We’re searching for the best Assistant Winemaker to join us in our exciting and growing Wine Department at Plumpton College. This is a unique opportunity to join Plumpton College Wine Department and become a pivotal part of our exciting growth and development.

You will play a vital and vibrant role in our winery and gain unrivalled experience in helping us developing cutting edge winemaking and training in this country.

We are an award-winning English Wine producer and a winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize. The Prize recognises the work of the college as the sole innovator and developer of industry-led training and education programmes supporting the growth and sustainability of the English wine industry since 1985. As a progressive employer-college partnership we have grown from foundation and degree programmes to an offer including a Master’s programme, industry CPD and more recently introductory-level wine academies and apprenticeships.

With Why This Role?

Hands-On Winemaking: Oversee daily operations, from grape processing and fermentation to bottling and quality control, all under the guidance of our experienced Head Winemaker.
Cutting-Edge Learning Environment: Contribute to one of the UK’s leading winemaking programs, supporting practical lessons and training students on state-of-the-art equipment.
Sustainability Focus: Be part of our commitment to sustainable practices and continuously improve our methods for a greener future.
Career Growth: Engage in professional development opportunities, from CPD activities to industrial updates, all while working in a progressive, supportive environment.

With over 3,000 students, excellent resources and a drive for continuous improvement, Plumpton College is actively seeking staff who want to make a difference and be part of this exciting phase of our development. At Plumpton College we are Ambitious & Progressive, Enterprising, Professional, Supportive and Passionate about everything we do – if you share these values and would like to be part of our growing team then we’d like to hear from you.

About You

Essential:

Commercial winery experience and oenology qualifications.
Forklift license and competency with winery equipment.
Strong organizational skills and a collaborative mindset.
Full right to work in the UK without Visa sponsorship.

Desirable:

First aid certification and an enthusiasm for sustainability initiatives.

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, you can also look forward to a great range of benefits including: up to 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), and up to 5 efficiency days at Christmas; membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme; comprehensive CPD and teacher training (where applicable); TOTUM card; Employee Assistance Programme; free onsite parking; discounted Plumpton wine; staff discounts on Plumpton courses; free eye tests; cycle to work scheme; and free use of the onsite gym.

We reserve the right to call candidates to interview/withdraw this vacancy at any time if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as soon as possible.

Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non-discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis.

Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.