Vineyard Operations Manager

Vineyard Operations Manager — Harvest Season Lompoc, CA | 6-Month Contract About the Role We are seeking an experienced Vineyard Operations Manager to lead large-scale harvest operations during a critical, fast‑paced season. This high‑impact leadership role is ideal for a results‑driven professional with strong vineyard expertise who thrives in dynamic agricultural environments and is passionate about operational excellence, team leadership, and continuous improvement. As a key member of the operations team, you will oversee daily vineyard and harvest activities while partnering closely with winemaking, technical viticulture, and operations leadership to ensure grape quality, efficiency, and production goals are achieved. Key Responsibilities Lead, supervise, and motivate up to 80 field employees during peak harvest operations Plan, coordinate, and execute daily harvest activities to meet production, quality, and efficiency goals Develop and implement work plans, optimizing labor, equipment, and resource allocation Collaborate with winemaking and technical viticulture teams to ensure grape supply meets required specifications and end‑use quality standards Support the development and execution of technical viticulture programs to achieve targeted grape quality parameters Assist in preparing and managing annual operational and capital budgets for the region Coordinate and support harvest logistics, planning, and invoice control processes Contribute to defining and implementing irrigation programs , ensuring accurate and timely work orders Monitor, analyze, and report on operational data to support effective decision‑making and continuous improvement Evaluate vineyard processes and equipment, providing insights and recommendations to improve efficiency and outcomes Support property, equipment, and machinery maintenance programs to maximize asset performance and lifespan Ensure compliance with EH&S standards, HR policies, and all regulatory requirements Foster a culture of safety, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance management of seasonal staff Build and maintain strong partnerships with internal teams and external labor providers Preferred Qualifications Bilingual in Spanish and English (required) Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture, Plant Science, Agriculture, or a related field preferred Hands‑on experience as an Assistant Vineyard Manager or Vineyard Manager strongly preferred Proven leadership experience in vineyard or agricultural operations Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn specialized agricultural or operational software systems Strong organizational, leadership, and problem‑solving skills Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment Schedule & Work Environment 5–6 days per week during peak harvest season Flexible schedule required, including: Early mornings (as early as 6:00 AM ) Evening/night shifts ( 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM ) Up to 10‑hour shifts Work performed in both outdoor vineyard conditions and indoor operational settings #J-18808-Ljbffr