Position Overview:
The candidate should have a love of making cheese and creating edibles, have some scientific knowledge, a love for working indoors, the strength to lift heavy weights, an ability to work in damp and strong scented conditions. The candidate should be self-motivated and able to take initiative in a dynamic environment. Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal, and should be able to work independently or as part of a team.

Job Requirements

• Food production experience is a must
• Cook milk and specified ingredients to make cheese, according to formula
• Pasteurize and separate milk to obtain butterfat content and protein
• Turn valve to fill vat with milk and heat milk to specified temperature
• Dump measured amounts of calcium chloride and starter into milk
• Start agitator to mix ingredients
• Test sample of milk for acidity and allow agitator to mix ingredients until specified level of acidity reach
• Dump and mix measure amount of rennet into milk
• Stop agitator to allow milk to coagulate into curd
• Pull curd knives through curd or separate curd with hand scoop to release whey
• Observe thermometer, adjusts steam valve and starts agitator to stir and cook curd at prescribed temperature for specified time
• Squeeze and stretch sample of curd with fingers and extend cooking time for firmness or texture
• Receive direction to cheese maker or other workers to make curd, drain whey from curd, add ingredients, such as seasonings, cut, pile and pump and press curd into specified shapes
• Oversee workers to ensure that proper GMPs follow
• Taste, smell, feel and observe sample of cheese for quality
• Record amount of ingredients used, test results, time cycles and corrective actions
• Make variation in time cycles and ingredients used for succeeding batches to ensure optimum yields and product quality
• Assist in the formulation development of new cheeses and optimization of formula for current cheese to ensure maximum yield and product quality
• Direct other workers who immerse cheese in brine and place or turn cheese blocks on shelves to cure cheese and or clean vats

Key Competencies

• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects within a fast paced environment;
• Must be able to work in a team
• Strong problem solving and time management skills
• Highly organized and able to multi-task
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision
• Strong commitment to customer service
• Leadership skills