Head / Lead Cheesemaker, Artisanal Dairy Production Management

Portuguese Cheese Company; Nova Scotia; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company in artisanal cheese-making as the Head Cheesemaker, where tradition meets innovation. You will lead plant operations to ensure quality and productivity while managing a passionate team dedicated to crafting exceptional cheeses. This full-time role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Extended health coverage

Paid Vacation

Incentives and bonuses

Relocation Assistance

Life and disability insurance

Employee-Assistance Program(s)

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a leadership role within cheese processing.
• Experience in cheese manufacturing environments.
• Licenses: Milk Plant Grader’s License and HTST Operator License.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise production staff in all cheese-making functions.
• Oversee daily operations ensuring quality and efficiency.
• Manage documentation for audits and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Food Science Knowledge

HACCP Knowledge

Sanitation Knowledge

Education

College diploma or university degree in Food Science or Engineering

Job description

Head / Lead Cheesemaker, Artisanal Dairy Production Management

Join to apply for the Head / Lead Cheesemaker, Artisanal Dairy Production Management role at Portuguese Cheese Company

Head / Lead Cheesemaker, Artisanal Dairy Production Management

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Join to apply for the Head / Lead Cheesemaker, Artisanal Dairy Production Management role at Portuguese Cheese Company

Portuguese Cheese Company provided pay range

This range is provided by Portuguese Cheese Company. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

CA$110,000.00 / yr - CA$125,000.00 / yr

• Lead artisanal cheese production in a fast-paced, award-winning facility that celebrates ethnic cheesemaking traditions
• Earn a competitive salary of $110,000 - $125,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package and the chance to shape the next generation of artisanal cheese innovation
• Join a passionate, close-knit team where hands-on leadership, tradition, and innovation come together to craft high-quality, artisanal cheeses

About The Portuguese Cheese Company

Welcome to The Portuguese Cheese Company (PCC), where handcrafted tradition meets heartfelt purpose in our award-winning products that serve as flavourful links to culture, ancestry, and home. With over half a century of craftsmanship, our family-owned business brings generations of experience to every batch of Fresh, Semi-Soft, and Firm cheeses that celebrates artisanal European and Latin American cheese making.

Our cheeses are handcrafted using all-natural, preservative-free ingredients sourced from local Canadian farmers, to deliver authentic taste in every bite. Our diverse range of cheeses serves communities who cherish traditional flavours and value the stories behind what they eat.

If you’re a seasoned cheesemaker, you’ll find purpose and passion in our dynamic, close-knit team. At PCC, we’re more than a workplace. We’re a family-run company where tradition meets innovation and everyone plays a role in creating something meaningful.

For more information, please visit portuguesecheese.com

About the Opportunity

The Portuguese Cheese Company is looking for a full-time Head / Lead Cheesemaker, Artisanal Dairy Production Management based in Toronto, Ontario .

Reporting to the General Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading plant operations, including equipment maintenance to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and productivity while upholding traditional cheese-making practices.

In this position, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of cheese production, plant operations, and packaging, while fostering a positive, safe, and high-performing work environment.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Leading and supervising production staff and Team Leads across cheese-making and packaging functions
• Overseeing safe, efficient, and cost-effective daily operations, achieving productivity, and quality
• Monitoring and evaluating milk intake, cheese batches, and production processes using established grading and testing methods
• Performing and / or overseeing the evaluation of incoming milk, utilizing various microbiological milk grading criteria and antibiotic testing
• Ensuring inventory accuracy of raw materials, packaging, ingredients, and finished products using FIFO principles
• Developing and maintaining quality control, sanitation, and HACCP standards in coordination with QA
• Coordinating equipment maintenance, production scheduling, and materials planning to meet customer demands
• Managing documentation and reporting for audits, regulatory compliance, and internal stakeholders
• Supporting innovation by developing new cheese recipes, leading trials, and investigating product variations
• Developing and maintaining capable and effective employees in all related functions and giving direction / coaching on various cheesemaking and cheese packaging processes

To read the full position description, please click here.

About You

To qualify, you will need 7+ years of experience in a leadership role within cheese processing , with direct experience leading production teams in cheese manufacturing environments . While a college diploma or university degree in Food Science or Engineering is an asset, equivalent experience in artisanal cheese production will also be considered.

The following are required :

• Hold a Milk Plant Grader’s License
• Hold an HTST Operator License
• Ability to undergo a police background check
• Physical ability to perform routine production tasks, including lifting, moving, and operating equipment as required
• Strong knowledge of food science, HACCP, sanitation, and health and safety regulations (e.g., WHMIS)

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued :

• Familiarity with milk testing, grading, and utilization systems (e.g., MUV)
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and maintain production equipment
• Proven ability to develop and refine cheese recipes and lead product trials
• Proficiency in production scheduling, inventory control, and reporting using computer systems
• Demonstrated success meeting operational targets related to safety, quality, and efficiency
• Experience managing audits, regulatory documentation, and cross-functional coordination with QA, maintenance, and procurement teams
• Experience managing in a diverse employee population; knowledge of Portuguese and / or Spanish an asset

As our ideal candidate, you will bring strong communication and supervisory skills, along with the ability to inspire and coach teams in a collaborative, high-performing environment. You’re confident coordinating across departments such as QA, maintenance, and procurement, and thrive in fast-paced, production-driven settings. With a detail-oriented mindset and a hands-on approach to problem-solving, you're just as comfortable troubleshooting on the floor as you are shaping production strategy behind the scenes.

This is a dynamic and rewarding opportunity for someone who thrives at the intersection of quality, culture, and community. We’re looking for a passionate leader who values tradition, embraces innovation, and takes pride in producing exceptional, award-winning cheese. If you're ready to lead with purpose and help shape the future of our artisanal craft, we’d love to hear from you.

About the Benefits

Compensation based on skills and experience, is a competitive annual salary of $110,000 - $125,000 , and a host of excellent benefits including :

• Extended health coverage (e.g., dental, vision, paramedical, etc.)
• Paid Vacation
• Incentives and bonuses
• Relocation Assistance for the right candidate
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee-Assistance Program(s)
• A collaborative and supportive team culture fueled by shared passion and purpose

From fresh ideas to firm results, help mould the future of artisanal cheese — apply today!

Seniority level

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Job function

Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and Product Management

Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Dairy Product Manufacturing, and Food and Beverage Retail

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