1

Specialty Cheese Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Specialty Cheese Lead Established in 1929, Heinen's is a leading, family-owned grocery retailer known for its premium-quality products and outstanding customer service. Now in its fourth generation ...

The purpose of this position is to sell Harmons' specialty cheese items by giving remarkable customer service and ensuring the department maintains quality standards and profitability. This person ...

The purpose of this position is to sell Harmons' specialty cheese items by giving remarkable customer service and ensuring the department maintains quality standards and profitability. This person ...

Assistant Cheese Sales Manager

Riverton, UT · On-site

$19.31 - $20.81/hr

This person will assist in maintaining product levels of all products in the specialty cheese department. This person will have a passion for cheese and the ability to share that passion with our ...

Assistant Cheese Sales Manager

Herriman, UT · On-site

$19.31 - $20.81/hr

Specialty Cheese Department Assistant $19.31 - $20.81 PER HOUR The purpose of this position is to assist the Cheese Sales Manager with selling Harmons' specialty cheese items by giving remarkable ...

New

Assistant Cheese Sales Manager

Herriman, UT · On-site

$19.31 - $20.81/hr

The purpose of this position is to assist the Cheese Sales Manager with selling Harmons' specialty cheese items by giving remarkable customer service, and ensuring the department maintains quality ...

Assisting in preparation of all specialty cheese in terms of wrapping, labeling, trimming and cleaning. * Handling all food, storage and cleaning activities for the commissary in compliance with ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Specialty Cheese information

See salary details

$14

$18

$34

How much do specialty cheese jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for specialty cheese 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 specialty cheese professional?

A Specialty Cheese professional is someone who has expertise in the selection, handling, and sale of artisan and specialty cheeses. They often work in gourmet food shops, cheese counters, or specialty grocery stores, helping customers choose cheeses based on flavor profiles, origins, and pairings. Their responsibilities may include cutting, wrapping, storing, and displaying cheeses, as well as educating customers about different varieties and how to serve them. Some may also curate cheese boards or lead tastings. Their deep knowledge ensures customers enjoy high-quality, unique cheese experiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a specialty cheese specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Specialty Cheese Specialist, you need strong knowledge of cheese varieties, food safety standards, and customer service, often supported by experience in food retail or culinary arts. Familiarity with inventory management systems, point-of-sale software, and proper cheese storage techniques is typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and passion for educating customers about cheese are standout soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure optimal product quality, outstanding customer experiences, and effective sales in a competitive specialty food market.

What are some common challenges faced by specialty cheese professionals, and how can they be addressed?

Specialty cheese professionals often face challenges such as keeping up with a diverse and evolving product inventory, maintaining proper storage conditions for different cheeses, and educating customers about unique flavors and pairings. Staying informed through ongoing training and collaborating closely with suppliers can help address these challenges. Additionally, strong communication within the team ensures that everyone is up-to-date on best handling practices and new arrivals, which enhances both product quality and customer experience.

What is the difference between Specialty Cheese vs Cheese Maker?

AspectSpecialty CheeseCheese Maker
CredentialsKnowledge of cheese varieties, food safety certificationsCheese-making certifications, culinary training
Work EnvironmentCheese shops, specialty food stores, farmsFactories, farms, artisanal workshops
Industry UsageProduct focus, retail, and distributionProduction, crafting, and recipe development

Specialty Cheese refers to a specific product category of high-quality, unique cheeses, often sold in retail or specialty stores. Cheese Makers are professionals who produce cheese, focusing on the crafting process. While both roles involve cheese, Specialty Cheese emphasizes the product and market, whereas Cheese Maker centers on the production process.

More about Specialty Cheese jobs

What cities are hiring for Specialty Cheese jobs?

Cities with the most Specialty Cheese job openings:

What states have the most Specialty Cheese jobs?

States with the most job openings for Specialty Cheese jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Specialty Cheese jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Specialty Cheese jobs are:

Infographic showing various Specialty Cheese job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,409 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Specialty Cheese Department Lead

Heinens

Deerfield, IL • On-site

Other

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Heinen's rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 122 rated grocery stores


Job description

Specialty Cheese Lead

Established in 1929, Heinen's is a leading, family-owned grocery retailer known for its premium-quality products and outstanding customer service. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, Heinen's operates 24 locations – 19 in the Cleveland, Ohio area and 5 in the Chicago, Illinois market – supported by two distribution warehouses, a food production facility, and a corporate office located in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

Our culture is rooted in an associate-first philosophy, placing a strong emphasis on the well-being, development, and quality of life of every team member. We offer competitive compensation, professional development and leadership training programs, paid time off, and flexible scheduling designed to promote a healthy work-life balance.

At Heinen's, our approach to specialty cheese centers on creating a "cheese shop within a grocery store". To accomplish this, we look for individuals who have a love for cheese and embrace fun, creative ways to bring that vision to life for our customers to share in and experience.

Additionally, our specialty cheese leads have the autonomy to make decisions around sales, product assortment, customer engagement, product procurement, merchandising, demos, and events.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get a taste for the specialty cheese business. You will be working alongside a passionate dedicated team and will be able to develop your experience and understanding of our product assortment. You will also have an opportunity to participate in educational trips (local), meet with vendor partners, and participate in monthly training.

Benefits and 401K eligible (5% employer match).

Flexible schedules – live and work in harmony!

Closed on 7 major holidays.

Competitive wages and regular wage increases.

Professional development opportunities.

20% discount on in-store purchases (excludes alcohol)

Semiannual bonus program.

Associate assistance program.

Associate recognition program.

Lead, coach, and mentor team members to achieve sales goals, maintain profit margins, and deliver outstanding customer service.

Provide consistent training and development on department standards, policies, and best practices to ensure operational excellence.

Prioritize, delegate, and oversee daily tasks to meet business objectives, maximize productivity, and ensure operational efficiency.

Communicate effectively with team members, cross-functional partners, merchandisers, and corporate departments to maintain clarity and alignment.

Participate in daily operations, including inventory control, stocking, ordering, product rotation, merchandising, and shrink management.

Create and manage employee schedules bi-weekly to align staffing levels with business and customer needs.

Maintain in-depth product knowledge to provide expert guidance and drive customer satisfaction.

Foster a positive, collaborative team culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Identify process improvement opportunities and lead initiatives that enhance efficiency, productivity, and service quality.

Attend required corporate meetings, vendor calls, and training sessions to stay informed of policies, procedures, and company initiatives.

Perform additional duties as assigned to support departmental goals and overall company success.

High school diploma or equivalent required; post-secondary education preferred.

1–3 years of leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience preferred.

Experience in a leadership development program is a plus.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Demonstrated ability to lead teams, delegate tasks, and make data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Strong communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.

Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities. Must be able to work independently.

Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. regularly and work in varying temperature environments (0°F to 90°F).

Flexible schedule with availability to work evenings, weekends, and overtime as required.

Commitment to company policies, procedures, and operational standards.

Heinen's, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Sunday through Saturday work week. Schedules written 2 weeks in advance. Scheduled shift days and times will vary. Full-time, 40 hours per week.


What Heinen's employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom