Laboratory & Quality Control Technician

• Company: Hattingley Valley Wines Limited
• Closing Date: 13-02-2026
• Location: Wield Yard, Lower Wield, Alresford, SO24
• Salary: From £25k. Commensurate with Experience
• Hours: Permanent
• Contact Title: Laboratory and Quality Control Manager
• Contact Name: Claudia Lopes
• Contact Email: claudia.lopes@hattingleyvalley.co.uk
• Contact Telephone: 01256 389188
• How to Apply: Applications should be submitted to:- Claudia Lopes, Laboratory and Quality Control Manager Email: claudia.lopes@hattingleyvalley.co.uk

Description

The Company

 

Hattingley Valley has been producing award-winning Sparkling Wine since 2010, having planted its first vineyard in 2008. The business has grown exponentially since its inception and we are now one of the largest wineries in the UK, still family-owned and with a strong quality-driven, innovation-led focus. We also operate a client laboratory analysis service, Custom Crush, that provides laboratory services to many other English wineries.

 

The Role & The Person

 

This is an excellent opportunity to join the full-time team of one of England’s leading Sparkling Wine producers, in a position that enables a successful candidate to learn and be involved in all sectors of the winery through provision of Laboratory and Quality Control services. This position would consequently allow someone with no experience of the wine industry to learn key skills that affect all winery areas or provide a platform to someone with existing winery experience to develop their skills in the critical areas of analysis and quality accreditation.

 

This role encompasses a joint position, splitting time between wine analysis in the Laboratory and assisting with the administration of the Quality Control programme for our ongoing SALSA accreditation.

 

The overall scope of this role is to support to the Laboratory & Quality Control Manager by providing both laboratory analysis and quality assurance to Hattingley Valley, its clients and Custom Crush external customers. This role will require flexibility and will subsequently allow the candidate to obtain wide-ranging skills and hands-on experience. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate superior organisational skills, be extremely detail oriented, and able to perform high volume, precise analytical work under pressure with calm confidence, speed and accuracy. In addition, the ideal candidate should share our focus and commitment to continuous quality and innovation.

 

Major Responsibilities

 

• Perform all type of non-routine/routine chemical and physical analysis of grapes, juice and wines, as well as

assuring quality control in accordance with SALSA accreditation guidelines.

• Calibration, maintenance and daily monitoring of lab equipment.

• Daily cleaning and sanitisation of the laboratory and its equipment.

• Perform different type of bench-scale trials.

• Contribute to and write SOP and Risk Assessment Reviews.

• Daily brix and temperature monitoring of fermenting tanks and barrels during harvest.

• Preparation of reagents, enzymes and standards.

• Capable of independently operating lab instruments/equipment.

• Assist with administrative tasks, such as data collection and analyses reports.

• Able to follow detailed written methods and procedures in the laboratory.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the company's and client’s information and intellectual property.

• Run the day-to-day administration of the SALSA accreditation process, ensuring all departments are submitting the relevant paperwork and adhering to the requirements.

• Able to follow all Health & Safety rules, regulations and policies.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Academic Qualifications Required

 

• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English and at least one A-level in a science-related subject that requires relevant laboratory experience (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Biosciences);

• OR a technical wine qualification, such as an FdSc or BSc in Viticulture & Oenology.

Qualifications and Experience Essential and Preferred

 

Preferred Experience

 

• Proven administrative skills, preferably in a production-related role within the food & beverage industry that operates under a similar quality control accreditation to SALSA or BRCGS.

 

Essential Experience

 

• Availability to work flexible schedules when required, especially during critical times such as harvest and bottling.

• A strong work ethic, attention to detail, time management, teamwork skills, adaptability and initiative are a must in a role that requires the successful candidate to work independently, yet within set guidelines provided by the Laboratory & Quality Control Manager.

• Customer support combined with verbal and written communication skills are required, to provide the right support to Custom Crush laboratory clients.

• Computer literacy is essential, particularly in Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams and Outlook.

• Ability to work under pressure at times – such as harvest or bottlings – is essential.

 

Workplace Requirements

 

• Candidates must be able to stand for long periods of over 2 hours, and lift 25kgs in a working environment that is both indoors and outdoors.

• Driving licence and own transportation essential due to rural location of the winery.

• Full existing right to live and work in the UK is essential. Please note that we are unable to sponsor work visa applications.

• Please also note that we may not reply to applications where right to work or visa status is unclear.

 

To get an understanding of what we do, please take a look at our website below: hattingleyvalley.com

 

Salary: Commensurate with experience. Training is offered where necessary to do the job.

 

Hours: 37.5 hours Monday to Friday 8.30 to 4.30 – with additional hours as required at busy times

 

Benefits: Company Pension Scheme, 25 Days Paid Holiday plus all Public Holidays, Staff Wine Allowance and Discounts.