Entry Level Cheesemaker

Posted 8 days ago

shelburne farmsShelburne (VT)

Food Batchmakers Cheese Manufacturing

SENIORITY

Junior

SALARY

$20.00 per hour

Apply

About the role

Entry Level Cheesemaker

Supervisor: Assistant Creamery Manager and Processing Coordinator

Employee Status: Year-round; Full-Time Exemption: Hourly; Non-Exempt

Start Date: Immediate opening

Location: In-person (Shelburne, VT)

Pay range: $20.00/hour

Work Schedule: 4 days/week, working 10-hour days, from 6:30am -4:30pm; one weekend day per week required

Who We Are: Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. We realize our mission by integrating three key areas of activity: our programs, place, and products. Who We're Looking ForYou'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.
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: Availability 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/week. Committed to translating the values of equality into action as we foster a welcoming working and learning environment for all program participants, guests, and staff. 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 become a cheesemaker.
Food manufacturing experience.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), cleaning and sanitation, and food safety.

Work Environment & Physical Demands: 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 the essential functions. Work 10-hour shifts, in a highly physical role, in hot and cold (refrigerated) environments. Repetitive lifting, reaching, bending, twisting and squatting and moving with items of up to 65 pounds. Moving up and down a ladder while carrying items weighing up to 45 pounds (block of cheese).Repetitive movements of the hands and wrists to perform fine-motor skills. Cleaning chemicals and sanitizers are used. Follow instructions to safely operate production machinery.

Benefits:

Benefits for full-time, year-round employees outlined here: 2026 benefit summary
To ApplyIf 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.
In your application please include responses to the following questions. These are not meant to be a writing exercise but to introduce yourself in a meaningful way.
Tell us about your unique characteristics and life experience that will help you thrive in this role.
How did you hear about the position?

Shelburne Farms is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we strongly stand against discrimination and harassment of any kind. If you need accommodations throughout the application process or have general questions, please contact us at jobs@shelburnefarms.org or 802-985-8686.

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.