Vice President, HR & Talent Development

A Vice President, HR & Talent Development position is available at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE). This role is responsible for leading the organization's HR talent strategy and operations across all functions. This position partners with executive leadership to align people strategies with business objectives, ensuring the company attracts, develops, and retains top talent while fostering a culture of inclusion, engagement, and high performance. The VP of HR & Talent Development will oversee HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition and Retention, Compensation & Benefits, Learning & Career Development, HRIS, and Employee Relations, driving organizational effectiveness and compliance.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is the largest wine company in the Pacific Northwest, and among the largest premium wine companies in the U.S, with roots dating back to 1933. Throughout our 90+ year history, what has remained constant is our unwavering commitment to quality, service to our customers, and connection with our community. We are proud that our award-winning wines farmed in Oregon and Washington are an expression of all the best things about the Pacific Northwest - the spirit of people, the abundance of the land, and the excellence-driven culture. Our distinctive portfolio of wines, including Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14 Hands, Columbia Crest, Erath, A to Z Wineworks, REX HILL, Intrinsic, Liquid Light, Northstar, and Spring Valley Vineyard, are enjoyed across the U.S. and distributed in over 100 countries.

The Vice President, HR & Talent Development job responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with the company's vision and growth objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team on all human capital matters.
• Lead organizational design and change management initiatives to support business transformation in the evolving wine industry.
• Build development programs that support the growth and effectiveness of people managers and that help employees feel respected, valued, and appreciated.
• Design and deliver an equitable performance management system and process that encourages smart risk-taking, develops diverse talent, rewards strong performance and creates a learning culture of continuous improvement.
• Design and implement a focused talent development and retention strategy, process, and tool set designed to prepare employees for greater responsibility and/or improve everyday performance
• Implement an annual talent review with senior management designed to create and document career plans for top 20% of SMWE employees, establish needs and plans to address critical role bench-strength, and proactively upgrade SMWE talent across all departments
• Develop and lead a market-based compensation and benefits strategy that serves to recruit and retain high quality, diverse talent in alignment with the organization's mission and business objectives.
• Provide advice and counsel to all levels of management and model a culture where positive and constructive feedback is encouraged and embraced.
• Drive succession planning, leadership development, and workforce planning to build bench strength, mitigate risk, and support long-term growth.
• Oversee recruitment strategies to attract diverse, high-performing talent.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Manage HR functions across multiple locations (e.g., wineries, offices, vineyards or tasting rooms)
• Mitigate risk through proactive policy development and regular audits.
• Foster a culture of inclusion across all levels of the organization.
• Manage HR budgets and financial performance, aligning resources with strategic priorities.
• Oversee HR technology and analytics to improve efficiency and data-driven decision-making

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree or HR certification (SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 8 years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven track record in strategic HR leadership within Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods or related industries.
• Experience in Wine or adult beverage preferred.
• Experience with hourly production and agricultural workforce.
• Experience with unionized and seasonal workforce preferred.
• Expertise in compensation strategy, benefits administration, talent acquisition, performance management, organizational development, and employee engagement.
• Strong business acumen, analytical skills, and ability to influence at all levels.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing HR teams.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to partner with C-suite executives on workforce planning, culture building, and change management.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, data analytics, and using metrics to drive decisions (e.g., turnover reduction, diversity initiatives).
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• History of responsible use of alcohol and other appropriate conduct, as well as fitness to be licensed, permitted, and/or certified by state and/or local regulatory bodies., permitted, and/or certified by state and/or local regulatory bodies.
• Ability to travel as needed (approximately 15%)

Your Compensation:

$165,007 - $247,394/yr. based upon relevant experience.

At Ste. Michelle Wine Estates we believe in paying our employees equal pay for equal work. Individual offers are made dependent upon a candidate's prior experience and education level as it pertains to the role.

Benefits of working with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates:

Our Total Rewards programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain talented, curious people with a passion for innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and growth. We offer leading programs that inspire and reward superior performance and foster an inclusive, diverse, and healthy workforce.

• Health Care Coverage including medical, dental, vision & prescription - eligible on date of hire for full-time employees
• Paid Vacation & Holidays
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Employee Wine Discounts

Culture at Ste. Michelle:

• We Challenge: We are driven to succeed in everything we do, and we challenge ourselves and our team to perform at the highest level.
• We Care: We put people first - our team, our consumers, our customers, our communities.
• We Collaborate: We believe there is nothing we can't accomplish - together - and we believe lifting up those around us is essential to achieving both individual and collective success.

Need assistance with the application process? Click here to review step by step instructions available in English or Spanish.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class. For more information, see the EEOC's "Equal Employment Opportunity is The Law" poster.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a United States Department of Homeland Security website that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Please visit the following website for additional information: https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/what-is-e-verify