Careers

Below you will find the employment opportunities currently available at Burnett Dairy Cooperative.

String

Join a successful and award-winning cheese manufacturing company where your contributions make a difference and there is always an opportunity for growth and advancement!

In addition to competitive wages, an excellent work environment, and a company history of stability and security, Burnett Dairy Cooperative is happy to offer the following benefits:

  • Health Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Employer Paid Life Insurance
  • Employer Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Paid Vacation and Sick Time after 60 days
  • 401(k) with generous company match
  • Profit Sharing
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Discounts

Not all benefits are available for part-time employees.

Current Openings at our Grantsburg location:

Production and Packaging Positions Available

Starting Wages, up to $21.85 per hour!  No experience needed, we will train!  

Production Supervisor-Makeroom (AM & PM)

Our makeroom department has 2 supervisory positions available.  The Makeroom Production Supervisor is responsible for directing the cheese making process to ensure product quality, crew safety, and production efficiencies are being met.  Other duties and responsibilities include; production scheduling, quality control, knowledge of all machinery, coordination of staff schedules, training, coaching and department productivity.  Must be mobile and able to direct a team in a changing work environment.  This is a working supervisor position so working on the production floor is required.  The job requirements for this position include the capability to lift/push/pull/stack up to 60 lbs., stand on feet for long periods of time, the ability to be a licensed forklift operator, and work every other weekend.  The AM Production Supervisor role is on a rotational schedule of 2 days on, 2 days off, 3 days on 2 days off, working every other weekend from the hours of 7:00a-7:00p.  The PM Production Supervisor position is also on a rotation, working 7 days on and 7 days off from the hours 7pm-7am.  Get 7 days off in a row!  To be successful as a supervisor, we're looking for candidates with strong written and verbal communication skills and the demonstrated ability to motivate people, assess and develop employee skills and provide effective leadership for growth and development.

Makeroom Operator (PM Shift)

The Makeroom is a very important piece of Burnett Dairy Cooperative, so we're looking for reliable and hardworking people that have a passion to succeed and exceed, and the desire to learn and grow within our company.  The Makeroom is where the 'magic' of cheesemaking occurs, and as Makeroom Operator you will be responsible for monitoring the cheese making process, taking temps of cooker, Ph and acid levels of cheese, operating machinery, and sanitation.  Must be able to lift up to 65lbs, be self-motivated, and work well with little direction.  The Makeroom Operator PM works 7p-7a on a rotational schedule of 7 days on, 7 days off (which includes every other weekend off).  Get 7 days off in a row!   Burnett Dairy is offering a $1,000 New Hire Sign-on Bonus for Makeroom Operators!

Makeroom Operator (Sun-Thurs, 6pm-2am)

Burnett Dairy always strives to grow and develop our company, and we are excited to announce we will be manufacturing a variety of Wood River Creamery cheeses within our makeroom department.  Adding these new cheeses into our process requires more Makeroom Operators to make this cheese.  The shift we have developed for this new line of cheeses is Sunday-Thursday, from 6:00p-2:00a.  The Makeroom Operator responsibilities are listed within the position description above. Physical requirements and working conditions include: the ability to Lift/Push/Pull/Stack up to 60 Pounds, stand on feet for entire shift, perform repetitive motion, and must be able to work in hot, humid, damp work environment.  A $1,000 New Hire Sign-on Bonus is also available for these positions!   

Cheesemaker

We are currently accepting applications for a Cheesemaker with the skills and ambition to make the highest quality cheeses.  This is a 1st shift, full-time position that works 7am – 7pm on a rotational schedule of 3 days on, 4 days off, 4 days on and 3 days off.  The responsibilities for this position consists of operating machines that pasteurize and cook the milk, monitoring the cooking temperature, and mixing the ingredients following the appropriate cheese recipes.  Must be able to work as part of a team in a changing work environment.  Ability to obtain and maintain a WI Cheesemaker’s License is a requirement.  Steady standing, lifting, and stretching is required with the requirements to lift, push, & pull 50 pounds.  Applicants must tolerate a warm work environment and work with little to no supervision while monitoring equipment for long periods of time.  Having strong attention to detail and organization skills are required.

Forklift Operator/Back-up Lead (2nd Shift)

The Forklift Operator/Back-up Lead supports the shred and loaf departments on 2nd shift by moving product and/or materials from the department to the cooler, warehouse, or other designated area.  This position also performs lead delegated duties when the department lead is absent. These duties include: overseeing production, troubleshooting problems, and assisting employees in the shred or loaf departments.  The job requirements/skills required for this position include: the ability to obtain and maintain a forklift license, good written and verbal communication skills, the ability to function in an active, demanding, changing, team-oriented and cold work environment, excellent hand-eye coordination, good mathematical aptitude, great organizational skills and attention to detail.  We prefer candidates with previous forklift operator experience, but not required.  

Skilled/Technical Opportunities

Master Operator-Packaging PM Shift

The Master Operator is responsible to work where needed within the packaging departments of the cheese production facility.  This position is trained to do all the responsibilities of the String Operator, String Lead, Loaf Pack Operator, Loaf Pack Lead, Shred Operator, and Shred Lead. Physical requirements and working conditions include: the ability to Lift/Push/Pull/Stack up to 60 Pounds, stand on feet for entire shift, perform repetitive motion, and must be able to work in hot, humid, damp work environment as well as a cold climate.  The job requirements include: the ability to function in an active and demanding work environment, obtaining and maintaining forklift certification, and have regular and dependable attendance.  This PM position works 7p-7a on a rotational schedule of 7 days on, 7 days off (which includes every other weekend off).  Get 7 days off in a row!   

Skilled Maintenance Technician/Engineer (3rd Shift)

Burnett Dairy is looking for a Skilled Maintenance Technician/Engineer to join our maintenance team!  This position performs multiple maintenance duties within the factory and grounds. Employees are required to perform maintenance and repair on machinery, as well as, welding, electrical, fabricating and mechanical duties. Preferred candidates should have prior experience with robotics and automation, at least 8 yrs of maintenance experience working in food manufacturing, and strong mechanical abilities to include electrical and fabrication experience.  Applicants must be reliable and able to troubleshoot and work independently in a fast-paced working environment. The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 12:00a-8:00a, and 1 rotational weekend.  If you are diligent and thorough in your work, are self-motivated, have a positive attitude, and possess the skills we require to be successful in this position, please apply today!  

Cheese Innovation Scientist

The role of the Cheese Innovation Scientist is to assist with the execution of R&D projects in order to deliver new cheese products and concepts to expand our core business. This position also helps with scale-up trials, recipe development, and standard operating procedures for production related to new products. Primary responsibilities for this position include:

Research & Development

  • Assisting with development and commercializing new products and processes including bench top development, pilot plant trials, and production plant trials to achieve business objectives.
  • Preparing periodic special reports concerning the results of laboratory tests or products development trials including next steps and impact on key business initiatives.
  • Designing and developing stress and shelf-life systems in support of new product/package development.
  • Applying experimental design and statistics to sensory research and product development.

Quality Assurance

  • Working with lab personnel/suppliers/vendors to evaluate ingredients, recipes, and processes to ensure the highest quality product
  • Providing technical support and problem solving on cheese production and product performance issues.
  • Developing SOPs for scale-up trials and performs audits on new R&D products to ensure they are being produced according to SOPs as well as all specifications.

Miscellaneous

  • Determining appropriate research methodologies to coordinate, design, plan, conduct, analyze, and interpret in-house tests and consumer research studies (quantitative research) to reduce business risk in decision-making and enhance product knowledge. 
  • Demonstrating proficiency in analytical, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of sensory methods and techniques (discrimination, descriptive and consumer test methods).
  • Working efficiently and productively with R&D, QA, Operations, and Supply Chain
  • Performing other duties as assigned.

The educational requirements for this position are a Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, or related required with 3-5 years of experience.  A Master’s Degree is preferred.  In order to be successful in this position, candidates should have demonstrated analytical experience, specifically for various chemical, sensory and physical properties like protein, calcium, fat, moisture, flavor, texture, shredabilty and meltability.  Demonstrated expert test development knowledge and strong presentation, scientific writing, communication and listening skills are also required.  

Retail Opportunities

Cheese Store (Part-time and Full-time)

The Cheese Store is currently recruiting for Store Clerks.  These positions are responsible for promoting products, delivering outstanding customer service and supporting the stores by stocking shelves, keeping the stores clean and sanitized, and handling all customer transactions in a courteous manner.  The right candidates for these store clerk positions should have excellent customer service skills, be a motivated self-starter, and enjoy working as part of a team.  The requirements for these positions include continuously standing on your feet, occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs., and occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel and crouch.  These are rotational schedules, so candidates will need to be available between the hours of 7:00 am-5:30 pm days, evenings, weekends and holidays as scheduled. 

Bistro Associate (Part-time and Full-time)

The Bistro Associate supports the operation of the Bistro. The Bistro associate greets customers, takes orders, and prepares orders. Keeps the coolers well stocked, the Bistro work stations clean and sanitized, and handles all customer transactions in a courteous manner.  Prepares cheese trays, pizzas, and sandwiches, and invoices customers for all orders. This job requires steady standing and some lifting.  Must be able to work as part of a team in a fast-paced work environment. These are rotational schedules, so candidates will need to be available between the hours of 7:00 am-5:30 pm days, evenings, weekends and holidays as scheduled.  If you're passionate about food and enjoy working with customers and co-workers then APPLY TODAY!

Agronomy and Co-op Opportunities

Livestock Nutrition Specialist

The Livestock Nutrition Specialist for Burnett Dairy Cooperative is responsible for increasing sales, maintaining appropriate margins, and providing excellent customer service and balancing rations for customers.  This position will also assist producers with implementing on farm trials of new products, monitoring the growth rates of their animals, and help establish, implement and maintain management protocols for their operation.  In order to continue to increase sales, generating new customer contacts and making follow-up sales calls is extremely important job responsibility in this position. Therefore, having excellent communication skills and a great personality is a required in order to be successful within this role.  A Bachelor of Science Animal/Dairy Science degree preferred, but not required.  A minimum of 5 years of dairy nutrition experience is required.  Also, local travel (driving a company vehicle) is required for this position, with the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.  

Current Openings at our Cady Cheese location in Wilson, WI:

Plant Superintendent

The Plant Superintendent oversees the PM production supervisors to ensure the PM shift is operating efficiently with daily production, packaging of cheese and plant sanitation, along with having adequate support for each department.   This position also ensures the production team is fully trained, motivated, are following all policies and procedures, and that adequate supplies are available to meet their needs (i.e. ingredients, production tools/equipment complying with corporate supply chain requirements).   The Plant Superintendent also ensures the development of teams through trainings, coaching, documenting coaching activities and the annual review process.  This position will work closely with Quality and Maintenance in order to conduct root cause analysis, corrective actions and preventative actions and proactively focus on processes to prevent problems that could affect product quality and safety.  Requirements for this position include: 

  • Bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalent
  • Computer abilities; Word, Excel, Outlook
  • Two years of food industry experience in operations and production (preferred)
  • Two years Sanitation experience (preferred)
  • Two years of supervisory or managerial experience required
  • Excellent planning, organizational, and project management skills
  • English/Spanish bilingual is a plus
  • Knowledge of OSHA, FDA, USDA, SQF and HACCP.

Availability

  • The Plant Superintendent works afternoon/evening hours; on call and occasional weekends and holidays as the workload demands.
  • Weekly work hours may regularly exceed forty.
  • Regular and dependable attendance is required.

Cheese Store Clerk (Full-time & Part-time)

Located outside the quaint town of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, historic Cady Cheese (Burnett Dairy Coop) is currently seeking qualified individuals to join our store staff. Visitors to our Factory and Gift Shop enjoy browsing our unique selection of gift items and sampling a variety of cheeses.

This is not your ordinary cashier job!  Have fun scooping ice cream, making cheese trays, preparing curds for our regular customers and visitors touring the area.  Suggest or share your favorite cheese with our guests.  An ideal candidate to provide our visitors with the experience only Cady Cheese can provide has an award-winning smile, is customer service driven, detailed orientated, a team player and able to perform in a fast-paced environment.

Wages start at $13.75 weekdays and $14.75 on the weekends.  Since we close at 5:30, you can still be home in time for dinner!

Currently offering $750 hiring bonus, instore discounts, profit share, 401(k) for all employees.  Full benefits for full time employees!

  • Availability requirements include days, alternating weekends, and some holidays
  • Flexible scheduling, Store hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm;
  • Regular and dependable attendance is required.

If you're passionate about food and enjoy working with customers and co-workers then APPLY TODAY!

Maintenance Technician (2nd Shift)

The 2nd shift Maintenance Technician is responsible for performing highly diversified duties to install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain production and facility equipment according to safety, predictive and productive maintenance systems and processes. This position performs multiple maintenance duties within the factory and grounds. Employees are required to perform maintenance and repair on machinery, as well as, welding, electrical, fabricating and mechanical duties. Preferred candidates should have 

  • Technical degree or equivalent in electrical, mechanical, hydraulics and pneumatics maintenance
  • Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), PLC programming and computer operation
  • Knowledgeable in fabrication and welding
  • Knowledgeable of electronics and trouble-shooting of electronics
  • Two years of maintenance and/or maintaining food service equipment
  • Knowledge of OSHA regulations, lock out/tag out procedures, and confined space

Applicants must be reliable and able to troubleshoot and work independently in a fast-paced working environment. The schedule for this position is Sunday - Wednesday, 12- 10:30 pm; Overtime and alternate days maybe required based on workload. If you are diligent and thorough in your work, are self-motivated, have a positive attitude, and possess the skills we require to be successful in this position, please apply today!  

Burnett Dairy Cooperative Employment Application

Burnett Dairy Cooperative Driver Application

To apply at our Grantsburg location, please complete the job application by clicking on the link above.  You may email your application and/or resume to jobs@burnettdairy.com, or call Sara Trojanowski at 715.689.2010 or Becky Popp at 715.689.2005 for more information. 

To apply at our Cady Location: please complete the please complete the job application by clicking on the link above.  You may email your application and/or resume to jill.filkins@cadycheese.com or call Jill Filkins at 715.689.4403 for more information.