About the Role: Production Assistant
The role requires that you handle raw materials, have knowledge of proper safety protocols, and monitor the production process and equipment. As a hands-on team member, you will also find ways to improve the efficiency of the facility, liaising with the Production Manager and Technical Manager on a regular basis. You will troubleshoot issues that occur with the wines and machinery and assist team members with solving problems or completing different tasks. Additionally, you will assist with inventory management and advise on ordering.
Reports to: Production Manager
Daily tasks include:
· Taking initiative and assisting with disgorging, labelling, and bottling (still and sparkling wines).
· Reviewing and monitoring different work orders to ensure the products are completed according to the production specification and schedule. Reporting progress back to the Production Supervisor/Manager.
· Tracking the riddling process and ensuring the riddling schedule is adhered to.
· Following food safety, quality and health protocols whilst wearing proper PPE. Suggesting improvements.
· Performing cleaning and maintenance tasks on the equipment and on the worksite, including completing compliance tasks.
· Accurately completing all records, documents and paperwork that are related to the production process.
· Troubleshooting issues that develop.
· Tracking production output and reporting problems, or areas of improvement to Production Supervisor/Manager.
· Completing PPM on equipment and tracking schedule
· Assisting the Production Supervisor/Manager with inventory management and tracking different materials.
· Assist in meeting the business objectives by preparing orders on time.
· Safely using heavy machinery including forklifts.
Additional opportunities available:
· Involved in bottling still and sparkling wine.
· Carry out and take part in dosage trials and other research activities.
· General cellar work including harvest where required.
· General lab work including internal quality control, fruit, and wine analysis where required.
· Logistics and warehousing – working with Production Supervisor/Manager and Logistics department to ensure warehouses are properly organised, stocked and orders fulfilled.
Benefits: Generous staff discount in shop and Balfour pubs/hotels. On-the-job training. Extended learning in HACCP, food safety and wine through courses where interested and applicable.
About you:
· Strong focus on continuous improvement (self and business).
· Keen interest in manufacturing and winemaking processes.
· Interest in engineering and willingness to learn.
· Interest in food hygiene and compliance.
· Ability to safely follow instruction and procedures.
· Interest in procurement, inventory control and quality management.
· Take initiative and self-motivated.
· Very strong attention to detail.
· Excellent communication skills.
· Ability to help support winery and production team members.
· Respectful to other staff, customers, and suppliers.
· Computer competency including Excel, Word and Outlook.
· Ability to lift up to 10 kg.
· Legal right to work in the UK.
About Us
At Balfour Winery, as the first UK winery to be awarded full BRCGS accreditation, we are dedicated to continuous improvement of our products, processes as well as our team members and we are looking for someone who shares these values.
We produce, bottle, and disgorge all our wines, so there is lots to get involved in throughout the year. Our winery team has diverse and in-depth knowledge of our practices, so there are always opportunities for learning the ins and outs of wine production including winemaking, lab, and compliance.
As part of our career development activities, we regularly review and set your career goals throughout the year to ensure you have access to management resources and are kept on track with what you want to do and where you want to be.
We encourage you to take an active role in all winery operations, where possible, and interested. We also hold regular training days to keep your knowledge up to date and provide you with a training log.
Celebrating 20 years in English wine in 2022, we are a rapidly growing business with major clients in the UK and export market. We are also a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain and provide permanent staff with private healthcare and generous staff discounts at our shop, restaurants and pubs.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £12.21-£12.50 per hour
Benefits:
* Company events
* Employee discount
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: Wine Production Assistant
Expected start date: 15/09/2025