How to hire a cheese maker

How to hire a cheese maker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step cheese maker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a cheese maker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new cheese maker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the cheese maker you need to hire. Certain cheese maker roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A cheese maker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, cheese makers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of cheese makers.

   Type of Cheese Maker	Description	Hourly rate
   Cheese Maker	Food and tobacco processing workers operate equipment that mixes, cooks, or processes ingredients used in the manufacture of food and tobacco products.	$10-21

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Vats
   • USDA
   • PPE
   • HACCP
   • GMP
   • Curd
   • RAN
   • Cheese Production
   • FDA
   • Htst
   • Production Equipment
   • Production Process
   • Quality Checks
   • Troubleshoot

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Complete Htst and cheese making courses yearly.
   • Preform inline sample to insure GMP are met.
   • Cut and cook curd to proper temperature to make finish product.
   • Fill processing containers or vats with ingredients, by opening valves, or starting pumps.
   • Facilitate, oversee, and complete all FDA, Maryland and third party regulatory equipment certification and facility inspections.
   • Demonstrate how to mold, pack, cut, pile, mill, dump and press curd into specified shapes.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cheese maker job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A cheese maker salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, cheese makers' average salary in florida is 41% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level cheese makers earn 51% less than senior-level cheese makers.
   • Certifications. A cheese maker with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a cheese maker's salary.

   Average cheese maker salary

   $15.38hourly

   $31,980 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level cheese maker salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a cheese maker job description

   A cheese maker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a cheese maker job description:

   Cheese maker job description example

   Starting wage up to:$18.50/hr with exp.
   
   Calling all Foodies! Don't romaine calm, Busch's is HIRING! Do you love food, fun and people? Are you looking for growth, development and excellent wages? We could make the perfect pear!
   
   Our industry is ever changing and we are looking for individuals who are passionate about food and people. We are a family-owned, Michigan based company that is heavily rooted in the communities we serve. Busch's offers its employees benefits such as employee discounts, medical benefits including dental and optical, 401K with company match (restrictions apply) and even tuition reimbursement for qualifying students!
   
   Specific Accountabilities:
   
   + Prepping a large variety of cheeses and accompanying products (preserves, honey, charcuterie, crackers, etc.).
   
   + Uphold high standards of guest service through every encounter, including hand selling, cross merchandising, educational handouts and educating other key associates, especially during peak hours.
   
   + Maintain, fill cheese section by packaging, weighing and labeling product.
   
   + Monitor and control inventory by working with department manager and vendors to ensure that we have the correct shelf and display inventory for projected sales including additional displays.
   
   + Manage overstock issues including working overstock inventory to the shelf and making TRP requests.
   
   + Monitor and control cheese orders.
   
   + Receive and inventory product shipments
   
   + Ensure cheese cutting practices are being followed.
   
   + Assist in the selection, quantity and location for Busch's displays by working with Deli/Bakery Manager to develop a weekly and monthly display plan including cross merchandising. Review weekly ad plan for items that will require displays.
   
   + Assist with demonstrations and other store events.
   
   + Maintain department shelf conditions and cleanliness including completing price changes, shelf and display sign maintenance; and execute new and discontinued items.
   
   + Stay current on food trends and new items relevant to department.
   
   Requirements:
   
   + 2-3 yrs experience in the food industry with cheese knowledge.
   
   + ACS Certified Cheese Professional preferred or willing to become certified.
   
   + Culinary training, including pairing wine and food.
   
   + Proficient communication and interpersonal skills, including written, verbal and listening skills.
   
   + Proficient merchandising skills including planning and maintaining clean and appealing displays, ability to manage department inventory, and maintain proper shelf conditions.
   
   + Proficient wine, liquor and beer knowledge, including the ability to answer guest questions and make recommendations.
   
   + Proficient computer skills in excel, word and email. Able to learn and use a variety of proprietary applications and technology.
   
   Busch's is a family owned premier grocery retailer with multiple stores in Southeast Michigan. We are consistently recognized by our guests as an industry leader when it comes to service, product selection, store design and overall atmosphere. You can take pride in being a member of the Busch's family and working in an environment where we truly care about our guests and the products we serve. We also take great care of the associates that take care of our guests. At Busch's, we realize that without caring, motivated and personable associates, there would be no guests to serve.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right cheese maker for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your cheese maker job on Zippia to find and recruit cheese maker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with cheese maker candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new cheese maker

   Once you've selected the best cheese maker candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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