Lead Cheese Technologist

Great Lakes Cheese; Hiram Township (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cheese manufacturer in Ohio is searching for a Lead Cheese Technologist to advance the quality and performance of cheese production. This role involves overseeing production processes, implementing innovative technologies, and leading improvement projects. Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum of four years in cheese manufacturing or quality management. Strong technical and leadership skills are essential. The position requires up to 80% travel, and candidates should be prepared for both office and manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• 4 years of cheese manufacturing experience required.
• In-depth understanding of cheese quality processes necessary.
• Strong communication skills to convey ideas and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Provide troubleshooting support for cheese production.
• Lead continuous improvement projects and evaluate progress.
• Conduct research utilizing sound experimental methodologies.
• Train teams in cheese making best practices.

Skills

Cheese technology

Quality management

Technical troubleshooting

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Cheese Manufacturing or related field

Cheesemaker certification

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.