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Cheese Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cheese Specialist Cheese Specialists elevate the Haggen Specialty Cheese program to category leadership in the community. You lead, develop and motivate a team of cheese mongers with a balanced ...

New

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To truly be successful in the position, you need to be thoughtful and passionate about your work with a ...

Pacific Market in Santa Rosa is looking for a FULL-TIME Cheese Specialist Apply for this fun and fulfilling opportunity where you will be spending time ordering, cutting, and wrapping gourmet cheeses ...

Cheese Specialist

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$31.15/hr

Overview The Cheese Specialist oversees the Cheese department within the Deli, including mentoring and training staff, ordering and inventory. They provide excellent, professional customer service.

The Cheese Back Up oversees the Cheese department in the absence of the Cheese Specialist. They provide excellent, professional customer service within the Cheese department while cutting and ...

New

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To truly be successful in the position, you need to be thoughtful and passionate about your work with a ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To truly be successful in the position, you need to be thoughtful and passionate about your work with a ...

Cheese Specialist

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$31.15/hr

The Cheese Specialist oversees the Cheese department within the Deli, including mentoring and training staff, ordering and inventory. They provide excellent, professional customer service. They ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To truly be successful in the position, you need to be thoughtful and passionate about your work with a ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To truly be successful in the position, you need to be thoughtful and passionate about your work with a ...

Cheese Back Up

Bothell, WA · On-site

$17.63 - $17.83/hr

Overview The Cheese Back Up oversees the Cheese department in the absence of the Cheese Specialist. They provide excellent, professional customer service within the Cheese department while cutting ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To truly be successful in the position, you need to be thoughtful and passionate about your work with a ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To truly be successful in the position, you need to be thoughtful and passionate about your work with a ...

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Cheese Specialist information

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$14

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How much do cheese specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for cheese specialist in the United States is $18.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $18.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cheese specialist?

Cheese Specialists are professionals who have expert knowledge about different types of cheese, including their origins, flavors, aging processes, and uses. They often work in grocery stores, specialty shops, or restaurants, assisting customers with cheese selection, offering pairing suggestions, and ensuring proper storage and display. Cheese Specialists may also handle ordering, cutting, and wrapping cheese, as well as educating staff and customers on cheese varieties and tasting notes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cheese specialist?

To thrive as a Cheese Specialist, you need in-depth knowledge of cheese varieties, origins, and proper storage, often supported by experience in specialty food retail or culinary training. Familiarity with point-of-sale systems, inventory management software, and food safety certifications is typically required. Excellent customer service, communication, and a passion for educating others about cheese help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure exceptional customer experiences, proper product handling, and the ability to drive sales in a specialty food environment.

How does a cheese specialist typically collaborate with other departments within a grocery store or specialty shop?

As a Cheese Specialist, you’ll work closely with departments such as deli, bakery, and wine to create paired offerings and cross-promotions that enhance the customer experience. Regular collaboration with purchasing teams is also key to ensure a curated and fresh cheese selection. Additionally, you may assist with staff training and educate team members on cheese varieties and storage, fostering a knowledgeable and cohesive work environment.

What is the difference between Cheese Specialist vs Cheesemonger?

AspectCheese SpecialistCheesemonger
CertificationsKnowledge of cheese types, tasting, and pairing; certifications like Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) are commonSimilar certifications; focus on cheese knowledge and customer service
Work EnvironmentGourmet shops, specialty food stores, or cheese shopsGrocery stores, specialty food markets, cheese shops
Industry UsageUsed in retail, culinary, and educational contexts to denote expertise in cheeseCommonly used in retail and grocery settings to describe staff with cheese knowledge

Both Cheese Specialists and Cheesemongers require strong cheese knowledge and customer service skills. While Cheese Specialists often have more advanced certifications and may work in specialized or educational roles, Cheesemongers typically focus on retail sales and customer interaction. The roles overlap significantly, but the title Cheese Specialist may imply a higher level of expertise or certification.

How do you become a cheese specialist?

To become a cheese specialist, individuals typically gain knowledge through formal education in food science, dairy technology, or cheese-making courses. Practical experience in cheese production, tasting, and pairing, along with certifications from recognized culinary or dairy organizations, can enhance expertise in this field.

How much do cheese specialists make?

Cheese specialists typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certification level. Those working in specialty stores or with advanced knowledge may earn higher wages, and some may receive benefits or bonuses based on their expertise and customer service skills.
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Infographic showing various Cheese Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,409 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Cheese Specialist

Haggen, Inc.

Woodinville, WA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted yesterday

New


Haggen rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 123 rated grocery stores


Job description

Cheese Specialist

Cheese Specialists elevate the Haggen Specialty Cheese program to category leadership in the community. You lead, develop and motivate a team of cheese mongers with a balanced approach in order to create a destination experience for our guests. You will implement the corporate cheese program while adding your unique skills to improve the overall go-to-market of specialty cheese in your given location. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with all food safety and sanitation requirements and you actively participate with cleaning and sanitizing food preparation areas, tools and equipment. You will be required to obtain a food handler's permit. More job details are available in our store. We are dedicated to having a diverse and drug-free environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Ideal candidates will have a passion for cheese, and a willingness to share your passion with our guests. Training provided for this position.

Requirements:

  • We are open 364 days/year evenings weekends, and Holidays are some of our busiest times~ availability to work these times will be necessary
  • Reaching over the head, bending, twisting, pushing, pulling and lifting 50 lbs., standing up to 8 hours
  • Providing friendly Customer Care at all times
  • Must be 18 yrs. or older

Benefits:

Haggen offers you the following:

  • Every Friday is pay day
  • 10% family discount on groceries every time you shop
  • Premium pay for Sundays, holidays and shifts between 6pm-6am
  • Medical and dental benefits starting at just 16 hours/wk.
  • Full time or part time hours available
  • Life balanced/flexible schedules
  • Employment stability
  • Retirement benefit plans available for union or non-union positions
  • Training provided on sitewe'll match your interests to a position
  • Career advancement and growth opportunities
  • Committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace

*all wages and benefits are dependent upon position and experience


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