Licensed Cheesemaker - 1st Shift

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery; Menomonie (WI); On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) match

Life insurance

EAP

Wellness resources

Training and cross-training

Job summary

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery in Menomonie, WI, seeks a Licensed Cheesemaker to run cheese manufacturing, brining, and whey processes. The role ensures product quality, food safety, and efficient production while maintaining GMPs and a team-focused culture.

You will follow recipes, record production data, and supervise equipment operation, with attention to safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance. Training and advancement opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Current Wisconsin Cheesemaker License required.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; relevant dairy or food manufacturing experience considered.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions, formulas, and procedures.
• Ability to understand, speak, read, and write English sufficiently to safely perform job duties and complete required documentation.
• Strong communication and attention-to-detail skills.
• Basic computer skills preferred; training provided.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to food safety, workplace safety, sanitation, and quality.
• Dependable, punctual, and responsible.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a current Wisconsin Cheesemaker License
• Operate cheese vats, HTST, UF, whey, brining, pumps, and related production equipment
• Follow cheesemaking formulas, ingredient requirements, and production procedures
• Start, operate, monitor, shut down, and CIP production equipment
• Accurately record and communicate production data
• Monitor product quality and process conditions and make adjustments as needed
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work area in accordance with GMPs and food safety requirements
• Follow USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, and company requirements
• Assist with training and mentoring employees on cheesemaking, safety, sanitation, and equipment operation
• Communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other departments
• Promote a safe, efficient, and team-oriented workplace
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Independent work

English proficiency

Education

Wisconsin Cheesemaker License

Job description

Description

$27+/Hour | 4-Day Workweek | Excellent Benefits

Earn Competitive Pay, Enjoy a 4-Day Workweek, and Build a Career with an Award-Winning Creamery

Join Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and become part of a team producing award-winning cheese while building a rewarding career in the dairy industry. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, training, and opportunities for advancement.

Why Join Our Team?

• Starting pay of $27.00 per hour, commensurate with experience
• $2.00 per hour shift differential for hours worked between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Pay increase after 120 days
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Training, cross-training and career advancement opportunities

Schedule

• 1st Shift: 4:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
• Wednesday off
• No regularly scheduled weekends; overtime may be available or required as needed

Position Summary

The Licensed Cheesemaker is responsible for the safe, efficient, and consistent operation of cheese manufacturing, brining, whey, and related production processes. This role requires knowledge of the cheesemaking process, including coagulation, ripening, cutting, cooking, and end-stir phases, as well as proper ingredient use and timing.

The Cheesemaker helps ensure product quality, food safety, sanitation, regulatory compliance, and efficient production while supporting a positive, team-oriented work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a current Wisconsin Cheesemaker License
• Operate cheese vats, HTST, UF, whey, brining, pumps, and related production equipment
• Follow cheesemaking formulas, ingredient requirements, and production procedures
• Start, operate, monitor, shut down, and CIP production equipment
• Accurately record and communicate production data
• Monitor product quality and process conditions and make adjustments as needed
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work area in accordance with GMPs and food safety requirements
• Follow USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, OSHA, and company requirements
• Assist with training and mentoring employees on cheesemaking, safety, sanitation, and equipment operation
• Communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, and other departments
• Promote a safe, efficient, and team-oriented workplace
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Required

• Current Wisconsin Cheesemaker License required
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; relevant dairy or food manufacturing experience considered
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions, formulas, and procedures
• Ability to understand, speak, read, and write English sufficiently to safely perform job duties and complete required documentation
• Strong communication and attention-to-detail skills
• Basic computer skills preferred; training provided
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to food safety, workplace safety, sanitation, and quality
• Dependable, punctual, and responsible

Physical Demands

This position requires standing and walking for extended periods, lifting and carrying 50+ pounds repetitively, and frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, reaching, and climbing stairs. Employees may work around heat, cold, water, cleaning chemicals, wet surfaces, production equipment, and noise and must be able to wear required PPE.

Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in a food manufacturing and dairy processing plant. Employees must follow all company safety, food safety, GMP, sanitation, and regulatory requirements and may work in varying temperatures and wet or slippery conditions.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug and alcohol screening
• General background check

Benefits

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Training and cross-training opportunities
• Career advancement opportunities

About Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery

At Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, our team members are more than employees - you're family, and we want you to succeed. This culture has contributed to the longevity of our staff, whose careers at Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery span 10, 20 and even 50 years.

Our Menomonie, Wisconsin production facility manufacturers several varieties of small-batch artisan cheese, including our award-winning Red Rind Muenster, Wisconsin Brick and Hot Pepper Jack.

Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910.

Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.