Calabro Cheese Corporation is an artisan cheese producer with a decades-long tradition of crafting premium Italian-style cheeses. We are seeking an experienced and passionate Master Cheese Maker to join our production team. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for producing high-quality cheeses — including ricotta, mozzarella, and other fresh and aged varieties — while maintaining strict adherence to food safety standards, production schedules, and the artisan quality that defines the Calabro brand.
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Lead and manage the full cheese-making process including pasteurization, culturing, coagulation, cutting, cooking, draining, pressing, salting, and aging
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Uphold and refine proprietary Calabro recipes and production standards for specialty Italian-style varieties
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Monitor and maintain product quality through sensory evaluation, lab testing, and grading
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Supervise, mentor, and train production staff on artisan techniques, food safety, and GMPs
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Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, and Connecticut dairy regulations (PMO, HACCP, GMP)
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Coordinate with procurement on fresh milk supply, cultures, and ingredient quality
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Troubleshoot production deviations and implement timely corrective actions
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Maintain accurate batch records, yield data, and production logs
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Collaborate with leadership on new product development and seasonal offerings
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Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency, yield, and quality
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7+ years of hands-on cheese-making experience; Italian-style or fresh/stretched-curd varieties strongly preferred
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Deep knowledge of dairy microbiology, starter cultures, rennet types, and aging science
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Familiarity with HACCP principles, PMO standards, and food safety regulations
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Proficiency in sensory evaluation, cheese grading, and quality documentation
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Ability to work in hot, humid production environments; must be able to lift up to 50 lbs
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Bilingual English/Spanish a plus
This is a full-time, on-site position in a dairy production environment. Work requires extended standing, manual handling of dairy equipment and product molds, and exposure to hot and humid conditions. Scheduling may include early morning start times and rotating weekend coverage based on production needs.
