Winery Engineer
Position: Winery Engineer
Reports to: Head Winemaker
Purpose
This is a key winery role to assume responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance required by Hattingley Valley’s winery and production areas. A rapidly growing wine business, Hattingley Valley is looking for a candidate to implement their excellent practical and organisational skills across multiple equipment items and production sites, with experience gained from previous roles in quality control-accredited food & beverage manufacturers. This role requires the candidate to be a major winery and production resource, working in support of all areas and departments of Hattingley Valley’s Lower Wield site, with a focus on continuous improvement of the overall scope of facilities, production sites and winery and production equipment.
The Candidate
This role suits a candidate with previous hands-on experience in food & beverage engineering and maintenance. In this role, organisation, pragmatism, motivation, lateral thinking and efficiency count for far more than qualifications – therefore, this position may suit a candidate who wants to make the next step into the wine industry from a related quality-controlled food & beverage industry.
Major Responsibilities
- Responsible for day-to-day maintenance and repairs at Hattingley Valley’s Lower Wield site.
- Scheduling preventative maintenance and repairs to all equipment.
- Investigating repairs and maintenance to all non-functioning equipment.
- Taking lead on maintenance and engineering supply chain and engineering supplier liaison.
- Taking lead in winery, production and facility construction improvements.
- At harvest and bottling, being responsible for smooth operation of equipment and facilities.
- Ensuring that winery and production spares are logged, replaced, and organised to an impeccably high standard of organisation and serviceability.
- Responsible for implementation of all SALSA quality control maintenance records and requirements.
- At essential times of the year, some temporary assistance to the Winery team to complete wine work and winery cleaning may be required, such as harvest and bottling.
- At essential times of the year, some temporary assistance to the Production & Warehouse team to disgorge, label and make ready wines for storage and collection may be required.
- Some assistance during marketing events and promotional activities may be required.
- Long hours are a pre-requisite at harvest (October) and at bottling.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Must have a commitment to continuous improvement and working in a close-knit, collaborative team.
- Food & Beverage manufacturing and engineering background & experience essential.
- Engineering and maintenance experience with electrical, pneumatically and hydraulically driven machines is essential.
- A practical aptitude for problem solving and attention to detail is essential.
- Numerate and literate – confident in ability to understand a complex facility and production picture and record key data during the maintenance process is essential.
- Ability to work under pressure is essential.
- A flexible approach to both working hours and duties during critical times such as harvest and bottling is essential.
- Certified forklift training an advantage; certified scissor lift training an advantage.
- Full Clean Driving Licence is essential.
- First Aid certification an advantage.
- Ability to lift 25kgs, climb ladders and stand for long periods essential.
- Preparedness to interact with consumers and trade visitors at tours and events on occasion.
Applicants must have confirmed right to work in UK (pre-existing visa or residency rights). Please note that Hattingley Valley does not sponsor visa applications.
Training: Whilst this role requires previous food & beverage manufacturing experience, training may be offered where necessary to do some parts of the job. Eligible additional professional development may be offered after one year of service is completed satisfactorily.
Hours: 37.5 hours Monday to Friday 8.30 to 4.30 (30 minutes for lunch) – with additional hours as required at harvest and bottling.
Benefits: Company pension scheme, discretionary annual bonus, 25 days paid holiday plus all Public Holidays, staff wine allowance and discounts, opportunities to taste a variety of wines both English and from elsewhere.
Salary will depend on experience and skills. This is a full-time permanent role based in Hampshire.
Please apply by 31st August 2025 to: carol.brown@hattingleyvalley.co.uk
+44 (0)1256 389188 | www.hattingleyvalley.co.uk
Registered in England No. 07311421
