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Cheese Technologist Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

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Cheese Technologist information

See Kansas salary details

$10

$29

$56

How much do cheese technologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for cheese technologist in Kansas is $29.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $35.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cheese technologist?

Cheese technologists are food science professionals who specialize in the production, quality control, and development of cheese and related dairy products. They oversee the entire cheese-making process, from selecting raw ingredients like milk to monitoring fermentation and aging techniques. Their work involves ensuring products meet safety and quality standards, troubleshooting production issues, and often developing new types of cheese. Cheese technologists typically work in dairy processing plants, research facilities, or quality assurance labs. They play a crucial role in maintaining product consistency and innovating within the dairy industry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a cheese technologist?

To thrive as a Cheese Technologist, you need a solid background in dairy science, food technology, or microbiology, often supported by a relevant degree or diploma. Familiarity with laboratory testing equipment, pasteurization systems, and quality assurance protocols is crucial. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure the consistent production of high-quality cheese products, compliance with safety standards, and innovation in product development.

What challenges do cheese technologists face in maintaining product consistency?

Cheese Technologists often encounter challenges related to natural variability in milk composition, changes in environmental conditions, and differences in starter cultures, all of which can affect the texture, flavor, and yield of cheese. To address these issues, they closely monitor production parameters, run routine quality control tests, and collaborate with dairy farmers and lab technicians to ensure consistent raw material quality. Staying adaptable and using data-driven problem-solving are key to overcoming these challenges and delivering a uniform product to consumers.

What is the difference between Cheese Technologist vs Dairy Technologist?

AspectCheese TechnologistDairy Technologist
CredentialsFood science or dairy technology degree, certifications in cheese productionFood science or dairy technology degree, certifications in dairy processing
Work EnvironmentCheese manufacturing facilities, quality control labsDairy processing plants, quality assurance labs
Industry UsageSpecializes in cheese production and qualityBroader dairy products including milk, yogurt, cheese
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for cheese-specific rolesMore general dairy roles, but related in industry

In summary, a Cheese Technologist focuses specifically on cheese production, quality, and safety, while a Dairy Technologist covers a wider range of dairy products. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications but differ in their specialization and work environment.

What are popular job titles related to Cheese Technologist jobs in Kansas?

For Cheese Technologist jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cheese Technologist jobs in Kansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Cheese Technologist jobs in Kansas are:

Infographic showing various Cheese Technologist job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $61,238 per year, or $29.4 per hour.

DFA Rotational Program - Operations, Engineering, Quality

Kansas City, KS • On-site


Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 169 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 65 rated farming

Good employer

Recommended by students

Respectful managers


$67K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

This position is part of the Experience program, a rotational program for graduates aspiring to a career in manufacturing. In this role, the Rotational Operations Analyst will rotate through various functions such as manufacturing, engineering, quality and process technology over approximately a two-year timeframe. This program is designed to offer experience, education and exposure to prepare an individual for a future role in manufacturing.
Location: This program offers rotations across various manufacturing plant locations. Potential locations may include Missouri, Minnesota, New Mexico, Kansas, California, Colorado, or Pennsylvania. These are examples only and are not guaranteed. Rotation locations will be determined based on business needs.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Visit a DFA farm to gain basic dairy farming knowledge and experience
  • Meet with cross-functional experts to further understand the business and the Cooperative
  • Work on various plant shifts to gain insight into the manufacturing process, opportunities, and challenges
  • Complete a manufacturing project using educational experience
  • Participate in review of production costs, rework meeting, and/or analytics
  • Participate in on ideation, package design, problem-solving, etc., meetings
  • Utilize systems throughout rotation, including Power BI, Salesforce, PCM, genesis, trace gains, SharePoint, etc., to analyze data and produce metrics. Produce reports, provide analytics, and build capability around data analysis and critical thinking
  • Participate in a customer audit in plant (understanding of quality, regulatory etc.)
  • Prepare and send samples for customers. Understand how to maintain sample and raw material inventory
  • Participate in a customer call, such as a prospecting call or complaint resolution
  • Complete a continuous improvement (CI) project involving influence
  • Run dryer; understand science and methodology to spray drying, blending, etc.
  • Work on a new product project, commercialization and scale up Prepare and present report on project results and next steps
  • Assist with new product scale-ups at manufacturing facilities and/or scale up at customer facility where product is used
  • Attend industry workshop training, such as cheese-making, spray drying, dry blending etc.
  • Complete OSHA, environmental, ECO lab, and IDFA training courses
  • Shadow Plant Supervisor, Plant Manager, and Director of Operations
  • Act in a supervisory role (once leadership training is complete)
    • Review disciplinary issues with operations leader
    • Deliver constructive feedback
    • Participate in the interview and selection process
    • Onboard new hires, including 30/60/90 day check ins
    • Coordinate staffing
  • Research new ingredient process technologies
  • Shadow the controls team and assist in conducting costing and data analysis
  • Troubleshoot quality issues in collaboration with food safety & quality team
  • Assist in the capital management process
  • Understand and utilize engineering standards
  • Work with manufacturing, maintenance and engineering leaders to improve plant reliability
  • Sit in on sales and operations planning (S&OP) and procurement meetings to understand how to schedule product, get bids, and interact with vendors
  • Rotations may be available at cheese, taste & flavor and dairy powders locations around the country
  • The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Manufacturing, engineering, or related field required
  • Internship experience preferred
  • Certification and/or license - N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Strong leadership abilities
  • Self-starting and disciplined
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Creative outlook with strong communication skills
  • Ability to be adaptable and flexible
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office products
  • Ability to communicate with other departments cross-functionally
  • Must be able to read, write and speak English

Travel: 15% - 25% (1 - 2 times per quarter)
An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans

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