Lead Cheese Maker

Chairmans Foods specializes in producing a wide range of high quality, consistent customer solutions - main courses, side dishes, queso, ready-to-eat protein salads custom solutions for foodservice operators and retail stores. Chairmans has succeeded over the years with open communication, integrity, and with a deep commitment to southern hospitality.

Driven by our mission, vision and values, employee and food safety are always our top priority. www.chairmansfoods.com

JOB SUMMARY:

The Lead Cheese Maker will be responsible for overseeing the production of high-quality cheeses while ensuring compliance with food safety standards. A Lead Cheese Maker will also be evaluating and monitoring the cheese making process from start to finish, training and supporting assistant cheese makers and production staff. They direct production workers and monitor machinery to produce high-quality cheese products based on industry and company quality standards.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluate cheese characteristics including flavor, body, texture, aroma, color, and appearance.
• Inspect and verify raw materials on the formulation sheet.
• Verifying raw materials meet process standards such as age.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment according to food safety regulations.
• Set-up, operate and maintain cheese-making equipment.
• Follow recipes and processes to produce a high-quality cheese product.
• Perform regular quality control checks and adjust recipes or production methods as necessary.
• Work closely with R&D, production, packaging, and QA teams to maintain consistent product quality.
• Provide feedback to Management and production team on trends or recurring quality issues.
• Assist in training new team members on sensory and quality standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Varied temperature environments. Refrigerated (34-36 degrees); Ambient (60-80 degrees)
• Protective gear such as gloves, work boots, and smocks always required.
• Will work around moving machinery and walk on wet floors.
• Moderate physical effort required.
• Regularly required to walk, reach, bend and lift throughout the day. Standing 8hrs or more.
• Must be able to 50lbs.
• Ability to work flexible shifts including nights or weekends as needed.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience in cheese making or related field preferred.
• Able to follow recipes and production processes accurately.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Understanding basic machinery operation and maintenance.
• Strong sensory evaluation skills (taste, smell, touch, sight).
• Ability to work in cold storage environments and handle physical tasks (lifting cheese wheels/blocks up to 50 lbs.).
• Strong observational and record-keeping skills.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent