Lead Cheesemaker

Employee Status:  Year-round; Full-Time

Start Date: immediate opening

Location: in-person, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT

Pay range: $18.60/hour

Compensation after demonstrating competence in cheesemaking and processing (approximately 3-6 months after hire): $19.60/hour

Work Schedule: Four 10-hour days, 6:30-4:30; one weekend day per week required

Who We’re Looking for

• You’ll support one of our many tangible expressions of the Farm’s mission and goals by collaborating with other farm operations in producing, aging, packaging and shipping our excellent cheddar cheese (along with other farm products).  The cheese team is integral to supporting a healthy local food system and providing an inspiring farm-based campus for learning for the Farm’s various programs and activities.

What You’ll Do

• Lead a cheese production day throughout every step of the process from the arrival of milk to final press.  Make cheese in either a Lead or Assist capacity on average 3 days per week. Work closely with the Head Cheesemaker to adjust the daily make process based on changes in the milk.
  • It is reasonable for training to last approximately 1-2 months, and competency to be achieved after approximately 6 months.  
• Assist with cheese processing 1-4 days per week.  This includes preparing batches of cheese to be processed; printing labels; cutting, waxing, packaging, and accurately labeling cheese for retail sale; precise record keeping.
• Participation in food safety and sanitation programs. This includes daily cleaning and sanitation, record keeping, internal monitoring and quality assurance.
• Assist with equipment maintenance and calibrations. 
• Participate in our weekly sensory program. Work with our Tasting Team to grade batches of cheese and track cheese quality.
• Assisting in performing order fulfillment and shipping throughout the year. This will become the main job responsibility during the month of December. 
• Lead Farm visitors through the Meet the Cheesemaker education program that happens daily during the summer (expected after approximately 2-6 months)
• Become proficient in an additional project or responsibility in the cheese department (expected after 2-6 months). Examples include, but are not limited to: 
  • Hauling the milk from the dairy to the cheese facility 1-2 mornings per week.
  • Providing sales and marketing assistance at farmer’s markets, food shows, demos, etc. weekly during the summer and other times as needed.

Core Qualifications 

• Prior cheesemaking experience required for this role.
  • If this job interests you and you do not have prior cheesemaking experience we encourage you to apply for our Entry Level Cheesemaking and Processing Assistant position.
• Basic food safety experience including familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Able to work four days a week, 10-hour shifts (6:30 am - 4:30 pm), with some overtime depending on the work week. Ability to work one weekend day.
• Commitment to the values of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion 
• We foster a learning environment and welcome candidates with all levels of skills, knowledge and experience working in the food processing industry. However, no food processing or cheesemaking experience is necessary to apply.

Additional Valued Qualifications 

Not required to apply but will greatly assist in your training and onboarding process

• Passionate about artisanal cheese and excited to make cheddar cheese.
• Food manufacturing experience.
• PCQI, HACCP or HARPC certification.
• Experience with technical equipment such as pH meters and moisture analyzers.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Ability to work up to 10 hour days on your feet in hot and cold environments
• Repetitive lifting of up to 65 pounds and stacking blocks of cheese in our coolers.
• Carrying cheese blocks on a ladder.
• Repetitive movements of hands and wrists to perform fine-motor movements.
• Cleaning chemicals and sanitizers are used.
• Must be able to understand and use production machinery safely.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits 

• Benefits for full-time, year-round employees include:
  • Medical, long-term disability, life insurance, a 401(k), and paid time off.
  • More details about our full benefits package is available upon request.

To Apply

If our vision and mission excite you, we hope you will share with us your experience and skill set that you feel would qualify you to make a contribution to the Farm.

You are invited to submit an application online, in person, or by mail to: 

• jobs@shelburnefarms.org with “Lead Cheesemaker” in the subject line, or
• Shelburne Farms attn: Human Resources, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT 05482
• Need additional support? Call our Human Resource Director at 802-985-0370.

In your application, please include:

• Submit a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, address:
  • Why are you interested in this position? / insert a question of your own 
  • How do your experiences, values, and/or efforts demonstrate your commitment to the values of diversity, justice, and equity? 
  • How did you hear about the position?
• Please submit contact information for three references.

Shelburne Farms is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The duties and responsibilities described herein are not intended to be a complete and comprehensive list; additional tasks may be assigned to this position from time to time, and the scope of the position may change based on operational demands. Any potential changes in scope will be discussed accordingly with the person holding this role.