Cheese Technical Manager

4 weeks ago

Melrose Park, Illinois, United States LandOLakes Full time
Cheese Technical Manager

The Cheese Technical Manager will provide industry leading cheese technical services that support the business objectives of the cheese making operations for the Land O'Lakes Melrose, MN plant. The Cheese Technical Manager is a cheese making expert who plays a pivotal role to deliver exceptional cheese products in a consistent, cost-effective manner through process variation reduction and optimization of the process. The Cheese Technical Manager is responsible for the management of our cheesemaking process, drives continuous improvement of the process while also partnering with cross-functional business partners to ensure cheese making meets the standards of Land O'Lakes & our customers quality & specifications. This role supports the Melrose cheese plant and monitors the multiple cheese making processes. The Cheese technical manager is also responsible for driving cheese making knowledge in Melrose through training. This position requires strong leadership and communication skills while also managing 2 salaried direct reports. This person will support plant productivity and performance improvements. The ideal candidate for this role has excellent technical skills and attention to detail. You will need to work well independently and with a team, know how to prioritize your work and multi-task to meet deadlines. You are also best described as personable, high performing, eager to learn, and as having a great attitude.

Essential Functions

  • Optimize cheese production operations to ensure quality and yield targets are met. Day-to-day support and guidance in all cheese product and process technical demands.
  • Track and analyze performance indicators to identify opportunities within the existing processes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality; drive improvement of any identified opportunity areas
  • Manage product and process trials, ensuring work is properly documented and involving all relevant stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the site-wide continuous improvement initiatives, both as team leader and as a team member.
  • Brings best practices and consultation to the design and layout of new and modified plant processes and equipment.
  • Assists engineering in the analysis and troubleshooting of problems as well as the integration of new equipment and processes.
  • Provides for and is focused on adherence to all US, State and other regulatory standards.
  • Provides for product conformance in line with all US and appropriate global standards.
  • Review vat recipes to finished product chemistry results and drive consistency and optimization of the processes
  • Understand cook temperatures, cuts, stirring speeds and ingredient additions to vats.
  • Knowledgeable of pasteurization, membrane filtration, fortification, fermentation and the processing of cheese making by-products including cream, whey, and permeate.
  • Monitor, including testing of fat, protein, salt, moisture, pH, and other chemistry components on finished products.
  • Work with plant operations team to manage starter programs (bulk starter and direct vat set).
  • Able to work with HMI systems on recipes, times, valves, pumps, and other equipment.
  • Follow in-process quality checks on cheese while adjusting recipes as needed.
  • Responsible for strict adherence to GMP's for all employees
  • Accurate recordkeeping and specific paperwork
  • Able to flex schedule to observe and support during specific cheese make style of operations.
  • Conduct thorough investigations on out of spec product along with microbiology results.
  • Partner with R&D cheese make project improvements.
  • Monitor and obtain cheese make KPI's.
  • Support plant operations in customer complaint investigation and resolution.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Lead, coach and develop two salaried direct reports in the areas of cheese making and process improvement
  • Develops, coaches and mentor subordinate staff.
  • Conducts performance evaluations; recommends salary adjustments; rewards employees or takes disciplinary action, as necessary; addresses complaints and resolves issues.

Required Education/Experience:

  • Undergraduate degree in Food Science, Science (Microbiology/Chemistry), Engineering or associated discipline is required; or an equivalent level of expertise based on a combination of qualifications and experience
  • At least 7 years' experience in a technical, operations or quality assurance function in a food manufacturing facility
  • Cheese manufacturing experience
  • Intermediate level proficiency with Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint preferred; as well as aptitude to learn specialized programs

Required Competencies:

  • Must be able to make quick decisions on the spot & support those decisions to your peers, employees, and plant leadership.
  • Ability to consistently meet deadlines.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects & multi-task with ease.
  • Must be detail oriented and have excellent follow through.
  • Ability to drive safety & safe behaviors while maintaining the goal of preventing all injuries.
  • Must be able to influence & drive change management.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with various cross-functional business partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bilingual (Spanish) a plus but not required.
  • Previous experience in a direct supervisory role is highly preferred.
  • Lean Six Sigma Certification preferred – Green or Black Belt
  • Prefer certified in HACCP and/or PCQI certified.
  • Understanding of industry best practices and standards to produce high quality cheese.
  • Deep knowledge of how to build and optimize manufacturing process to commercial goals while delivering quality & safety outcomes.
  • Certified and licensed as Cheesemaker and HTST operator.
  • Ability to take initiative and completely resolve issues with minimal management intervention.
  • Able to work effectively with plant manufacturing teams and serve as an ambassador to our customers regarding our process.
  • Demonstrated ability to achieve results through others, as well as the ability to operate independently as required.
  • Ability to work with a vision toward continuous improvement.
  • Not afraid to challenge status quo and present new approaches to drive business and operational improvement.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.


We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

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