Cheese Technical Manager-R-32211

Land O'Lakes - Melrose, MN

Full-time - Mid Level

Melrose, MN

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Cheese Technical Manager is a pivotal role at Land O'Lakes, responsible for providing industry-leading technical services to support cheese making operations at the Melrose, MN plant. This position focuses on optimizing cheese production processes to ensure quality and yield targets are met while driving continuous improvement and adherence to regulatory standards. The manager will lead a team, oversee multiple cheese making processes, and ensure that products meet the quality specifications of both the company and its customers.

Responsibilities

• Optimize cheese production operations to ensure quality and yield targets are met.
• Provide day-to-day support and guidance in all cheese product and process technical demands.
• Track and analyze performance indicators to identify opportunities for efficiency and cost reduction.
• Manage product and process trials, ensuring proper documentation and stakeholder involvement.
• Contribute to site-wide continuous improvement initiatives as both a leader and team member.
• Consult on best practices for the design and layout of new and modified plant processes and equipment.
• Assist engineering in troubleshooting problems and integrating new equipment and processes.
• Ensure adherence to all US, State, and other regulatory standards.
• Review vat recipes and finished product chemistry results to drive consistency and optimization.
• Monitor and test finished products for fat, protein, salt, moisture, pH, and other chemistry components.
• Work with plant operations to manage starter programs.
• Conduct in-process quality checks and adjust recipes as needed.
• Conduct thorough investigations on out-of-spec products and microbiology results.
• Partner with R&D on cheese making project improvements.
• Support plant operations in customer complaint investigations and resolutions.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 7 years of experience in a technical, operations, or quality assurance role in a food manufacturing facility.
• Experience in cheese manufacturing is required.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint) is preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus but not required.
• Previous experience in a direct supervisory role is highly preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Certification (Green or Black Belt) is preferred.
• HACCP and/or PCQI certification is preferred.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer - minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity