Cannabis jobs at Hess Persson Estates

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Grower Relations Manager and Viticulturist is a multi-level position focused on expanding and improving the quality of the external grape supplier network, managing sales of estate fruit to 3rd party customers, and general involvement in Napa Valley Estate Vineyard activities including large scale redevelopment projects, technical trials, and efficiency improvement initiatives.

The Grower Relations Manager will operate as the lead point of contact with external grape suppliers and grape buying customers, negotiating contracts and monitoring to ensure viticulture practices are consistent with Hess standards. The Grower Relations Manager will manage contract administration through AgCode while working closely with internal stakeholders including the Director of Vineyard Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and the Senior Vice President of Winemaking.

In addition to these duties, the Grower Relations Manager will participate in annual planning, budgeting, and competitive tastings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Responsible for managing and overseeing general growing activities from pruning to harvest for external growers, and Estate Pope Valley Vineyards as assigned


• Support Grower’s inquires related to seasonal practices such as timing of shoot thinning, canopy management and crop thinning. Address timely discussions related to harvest estimates, potential contract over supply and internal grape needs. Ensure that grape quality and value are maximized and that good viticulture practices are followed.


• Directly negotiate grape contracts, operating within delegated authority limits


• Manage administrative aspects of grape contracting


• Clearly reconcile the supply/demand balance position, identify and execute supply strategies


• Oversee annual crop forecasting and grape maturity sampling for Grower Vineyards


• Assist with harvest scheduling and logistics: responsible for scheduling harvest with growers, ensure trucking logistics; reporting harvest weights through AgCode and communication with growers our day to day needs and capabilities


• Work closely with Winemaking Team to evaluate vineyards and wines. Reviewing and grading contracted blocks with Winemaking Team; share and discuss with growers how their vineyards performed.


• Work closely with Vineyard Operations Team to execute farming, redevelopment, and technical trials across Hess’ 600 acres of Napa Valley Estate vineyards.


• Participate in company sustainability and safety initiatives and compliance activities including Fish Friendly Farming and Organic Certification with CCOF


• Encouraged to participate and attend regional educational events within the wine industry to grow our network and share new findings

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in viticulture, horticulture, fruit/crop science or related agricultural field.


• Minimum 5 years of directly relevant experience in wine grape growing


• Proven success working with and leading high-performance teams


• Excellent communication skills and ability to relate to people at all levels; ability to educate and serve as a mentor to junior members of the Vineyard Operations Team


• Must possess a “big picture” prospective


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Experienced in contract negotiation


• Self-starter with strong situational awareness


• Takes and gives direction effectively


• Ability to think critically and analytically to problem solve


• Proficiency in the Microsoft office suite. Can effectively synthesize information for executive level staff.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must have a valid California driver’s license and clean driving record.

LANGUAGE AND ATTITUDINAL SKILLS:

• Willing to work overtime as needed to accomplish the needs of the business during key periods of the growing season (i.e. managing logistics during harvest)


• Communication skills in Spanish are highly desirable but not a requirement.


• Inbuilt sense of urgency and commercial mindset.


• Willing to make timely decisions using sound ethical judgment. Understands authority limits and knows when to escalate or take immediate action to address a situation.


• Gathers and analyzes information skillfully and collaboratively.


• This role will cover a large territory, predominantly in the Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties. As such, the Grower Relations manager will travel as much as 20-35k miles per year within California’s primary North Coast grape growing regions (Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties). This role will also cover the Central Coast on an as-needed basis (Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties). Such travel will occur within the same day and overnight are rarely expected (2-4 nights/year).

Hess Persson Estates is recognized as one of the premier family-owned and family-led companies in the Napa Valley. Founded by Donald Hess in 1978, the second generation has brought new passion, dedication, and perseverance to the business proudly continuing Donald’s legacy. Each of the family’s portfolio of brands – The Hess Collection and the Lions Head Collection —produce outstanding, highly acclaimed wines committed to sustainable farming and winemaking practices.

Flexible work from home options available.

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