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Manufacturing Cheese Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Cheese Technologist

Hiram, OH · On-site

$69.80K - $93.90K/yr

Train manufacturing teams to ensure that cheese make knowledge is established and integrated at all levels. * Support the development of long-term cheese strategy and innovation roadmaps in ...

Lead Cheese Technologist

Hiram, OH · On-site

$69.80K - $93.90K/yr

Train manufacturing teams to ensure that cheese make knowledge is established and integrated at all levels. * Support the development of long-term cheese strategy and innovation roadmaps in ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To ... 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To ... 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To ... 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners ...

As a Cheese Specialist, you are friendly and ambitious with a love for cheese, wine, and food. To ... 19 manufacturing plants across 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners ...

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Manufacturing Cheese information

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$11

$17

$22

How much do manufacturing cheese jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for manufacturing cheese in the United States is $17.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cheese Maker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cheese Maker, you need a solid understanding of dairy science, food safety, and production processes, often supported by experience or a background in food technology. Familiarity with pasteurization equipment, pH meters, and HACCP certification is typically required for quality control and regulatory compliance. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork are crucial soft skills to ensure consistency and innovation in cheese production. These skills are vital to maintain product quality, ensure safety standards, and drive efficiency in a competitive food manufacturing environment.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in cheese manufacturing?

Professionals in cheese manufacturing often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict hygiene standards, managing production schedules to ensure product consistency, and troubleshooting equipment issues. Adapting to changes in demand and complying with food safety regulations are also frequent concerns. Teamwork is essential, as cheese production typically involves collaborating closely with quality control, packaging, and maintenance teams to meet both quality and efficiency goals.

What does a cheese manufacturer do?

A cheese manufacturer is responsible for producing cheese by transforming milk into various types of cheese through processes such as pasteurization, curdling, cutting, heating, draining, pressing, and aging. They may work in small artisanal settings or large-scale production facilities. Their duties include monitoring equipment, ensuring quality and safety standards, and sometimes packaging and labeling the final product. Cheese manufacturers must also maintain cleanliness and adhere to strict food safety regulations. This role often requires knowledge of different cheese varieties and the ability to troubleshoot production issues.

What is the difference between Manufacturing Cheese vs Cheese Packaging Worker?

AspectManufacturing CheeseCheese Packaging Worker
Primary RoleProducing cheese through processes like curdling, aging, and quality controlPackaging finished cheese products for distribution
Skills & CertificationsFood safety, dairy processing certifications, equipment operationAttention to detail, packaging machinery operation, food safety
Work EnvironmentFactories with dairy processing equipmentPackaging lines in food production facilities
Industry UsageCheese manufacturing plants, dairy farmsFood packaging companies, dairy product distributors

Manufacturing Cheese involves the production and processing of cheese, focusing on dairy techniques and quality control. In contrast, Cheese Packaging Worker specializes in preparing finished cheese products for shipment, emphasizing packaging and labeling. Both roles are essential in the cheese industry but differ in their primary responsibilities and skill sets.

More about Manufacturing Cheese jobs
What cities are hiring for Manufacturing Cheese jobs? Cities with the most Manufacturing Cheese job openings:
What job categories do people searching Manufacturing Cheese jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Manufacturing Cheese jobs are:
Infographic showing various Manufacturing Cheese job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $36,019 per year, or $17.3 per hour.
Lead Cheese Technologist

Lead Cheese Technologist

Great Lakes Cheese

Hiram, OH • On-site

$69.80K - $93.90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Great Lakes Cheese rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 70 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

135th of 378 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Job Overview
The Lead Cheese Technologist is a technical leader responsible for advancing cheese performance, quality and capability across the organization. This individual plays a key role in guiding operational excellence, enabling portfolio growth, and ensuring brand protection. Responsibilities include ensuring that our cheese products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and consistency and integrating state-of-the-art cheese technology and cheese knowledge into the GLC organization. In addition, the individual will lead and execute product and process continuous improvement projects as appropriate and provide support to other department projects and initiatives as directed.
Job Responsibilities
Cheese Quality:
  • Provide troubleshooting and continuous improvement technical knowledge in all matters regarding cheese production / processing operations.
  • Leads project activities, evaluates progress, and supports team members in the achievement of tactical projects / business objectives.
  • Develop product and process specifications based on acceptable tolerance intervals, through process capability studies and statistical methods.
  • Develop and implement procedures and methodology to improve efficiencies and quality.
  • Provide support to many areas of the business including production operations, engineering, and R&D.
  • Conducts research utilizing scientific and sound experimental methodology, while expanding and developing new technologies to deliver business results striving toward competitive, cost or technical advantage.
  • Lead the identification and exploration of new process technologies with an eye towards industry innovation and trends.

Training:
  • Makes presentations to sales, market, and business development personnel.
  • Maintain close contact with developments in the field, obtaining information from a variety of published and unpublished sources.
  • Drive best practices in cheese make, technologies and transfer knowledge into our cheese make operation plants and support external cheese supply chain initiatives.
  • Train manufacturing teams to ensure that cheese make knowledge is established and integrated at all levels.
  • Support the development of long-term cheese strategy and innovation roadmaps in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Serve as a resource for training and education.

Cheese Technologist:
  • Serve as a resource for the company regulatory, technical departments, operation, and customers as relates to cheese know how, including cheese standards, analytical/nutritional expertise.
  • Lead the development of new cheese types internally and externally with suppliers.
  • Develop and support the engineering organization for cheese make related projects and supporting business case studies, and tracking project(s) execution.
  • Provides technical oversight and troubleshooting support.
  • Collaborates with Procurement on "out of spec" cheese types and determine/influence which site and line is best used.
  • Participates in root cause investigations, corrective action planning and escalation management for cheese-related quality issues.
  • Stay ahead of the latest cheese technologies and trends.
  • Represents the company at industry events to oversee cheese and milk research projects.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and assess their potential impact on our operation processes.
  • Make recommendations for technology adoption based on feasibility to improve quality and cost-effectiveness.
  • Support business needs by working with cheese suppliers on process improvements, ultimately driving quality gains to meet business objectives in quality, cost, and profitability.
  • Assure business needs are met as a technical resource for plant production, FSQA and Procurement.
    Collaborates with plants (Operators, Supervisors, Managers, Cheese Graders) to ensure cheese make process meets quality and performance standards.
  • All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.
  • All GLC employees are expected to produce and promote our products and services in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.
  • Up to 80% travel.

Required Education and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Cheese Manufacturing, Food Science, Quality and or related field.
  • 4 years of cheese manufacturing, quality management experience.
  • In depth understanding of cheese technology and quality processes and related issues.
  • Ability to be a tactical leader who is comfortable establishing, communicating, and "hands-on" implementing the vision and deliverables.
  • Strong presentation, written, and verbal skills with the ability to communicate ideas and recommendations to non-engineer team members and leadership in a clear manner.

Preferred Education and Experience
  • 4-8 years of cheese manufacturing, quality management experience.
  • Cheesemaker and/or Licensed Cheese Grader.

Working Conditions
• Work is mainly performed in an office setting, with some time spent in a manufacturing environment
• Occasional exposure to industrial operations including: temperature extremes from approximately 35ºF to 100ºF; noise levels in excess of 85 dB; moisture and moving machinery.
EEOC & Disclaimer
Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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