Careers

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

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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 Supervisor-Makeroom (AM)

Our makeroom department has a production supervisor position.  The AM 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 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.  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. 

Production Supervisor-Loaf Pack (2nd Shift)

The Loaf Pack Production Supervisor is responsible for all aspects of packaging cheese on 2nd shift.  This includes production scheduling, quality control, knowledge of all machinery, and coordination of staff schedules and training and department productivity.  The supervisor is responsible for the cleanliness and sanitation of the department, as well as accurate recording of all production information.  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 50 lbs., the ability to be a licensed forklift operator, and work every other weekend.  The shift starts between 3-4 pm and goes until the work is finished.  To be successful in this position we're looking for candidates with strong written and verbal communication skills, a positive attitude, dependable attendance, and effective leadership skills to motivate their team for optimal production.  

Production and Packaging Positions Available

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

Intake Operator PM

This beginning of the cheesemaking process starts with this position.  The Intake Operator performs all duties that involve the shipping and receiving of milk and whey products and bi-products.  Responsibilities for this position includes performing analytical testing of milk and whey to determine quality, communicating issues and problems with incoming and outgoing raw materials, and follow all specified processes and procedures as outlined within all GMP, SOP's and SSOP's.  Physical requirements and working conditions include: frequently standing for 12 hrs, lifting 10-20 lbs. repetitively (up to 50 lbs. occasionally), frequently able to bend, stoop, reach above shoulders, kneel, balance, crouch, push, and pull, ​​​​​​must be able to work in a hot, humid, damp work environment, and occasionally climb ladders up to 25 to 30 feet in the air.  Required skills for this position include: strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work without direct supervision, strong multi-tasking skills, the ability to take pride in your work and present yourself in a professional manner to the milk haulers you will be frequently communicating with.  The PM Intake Operator shift works a 7 day on, 7 day off schedule from 6 pm-6 am.  Giving you 7 days off in a row!   

Master Operator

If you are interested in learning the entire cheese making process from the time the milk gets received to being shipped out the door, then the Master Operator position is for you!  The Master Operator is responsible to work where needed within 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, Shred Lead, Makeroom Operator, Cheese Maker, Intake Operator, Whey Operator, Makeroom CIP, and Warehouse Assistant. This position requires completely open availability in regard to days of the week and times of the day.  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.  Starting wage for this position is $23.00 per hour, along with a $1,000 New Hire Sign-on Bonus.

Makeroom Operator AM 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 AM works 7a-7p on a rotational schedule of 2 days on 2 days off, 3 days on 2 days off (which includes every other weekend off).  Burnett Dairy is offering a $1,000 New Hire Sign-on Bonus for Makeroom Operators!

*NEW POSITIONS* 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. A $1,000 New Hire Sign-on Bonus is also available for these positions!   

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

General Store Manager 

The General Store Manager position is responsible for managing all operational aspects of a specialty retail farm store. Primary duties include driving sales and profit, leading and motivating your team, building customer loyalty, and driving execution of company standards.  Driving sales and profit involves a combination of responsibilities of expense control, purchasing products at prices for resale, profit/loss management, as well as, protecting company assets and reducing shrink.  This position will also execute merchandising initiatives by working with our marketing department to plan and coordinate advertising campaigns, sales promotions, and merchandise displays.  An important part of being a manager is leading and motivating your team for success.  In order to be successful in doing this, it's important to lead by example.  We're looking for candidates that have strong attention to detail, a positive attitude to interface with customers, both in person and by telephone, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and effective leadership skills to motivate a team and direct workflow.  We are looking for candidates that have at least 3 yrs of retail management experience, knowledge of hardware, feed, and/or farm operations preferred, and the availability to work a rotational schedule between the hours of 7:00 am-5:30 pm days, evenings, weekends and holidays as scheduled.    

Store Clerks (General Store and Cheese Store)

Both our Cheese Store and General Store are 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.  Additional responsibilities specifically for the General Store Clerk include driving a fork lift to load and unload orders and filling propane tanks, 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.  All applicants must be 18 years old to apply.  

Bistro Lead

The Bistro Lead's duties include opening and closing the Bistro, completing daily prep work, and leading the staff throughout the shift.  This position is responsible for all bistro training procedures, as well as stocking, organizing, and rotating product to ensure it is available and appealing for customers, keeping workstations clean and sanitized, and assisting in all customer transactions in a courteous manner.  The Bistro Lead will also prepare customer orders to include assembling cheese trays, pizzas, and sandwiches.  The physical demands for this position includes frequently lift/push/pull/stack up to 30 pounds, standing for the entire shift and frequently bending, climbing, kneeling, and crouching.  Availability requirements include working days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.  Previous experience working in a customer service environment required along with effective leadership and motivational skills.  All applicants must be 18 years old to apply.  

Agronomy and Co-op Opportunities

CDL Driver

Burnett Dairy Cooperative is currently accepting applications for a full-time Driver. The main responsibility of this position is transporting Energy, Agronomy and Feed products from Burnett Dairy Cooperative to customers (both residential and commercial) in an efficient, punctual, and safe manner per the planned routes. Delivery includes both will call and scheduled customers per planned route. As a representative of Burnett Dairy Cooperative, you are a key point of contact for our customers and are relied upon to provide prompt, friendly, and efficient service to our customers. Therefore the right candidate for this position should have excellent customer service skills, keen attention to detail, and a strong sense of safety. To be qualified for this role you must have a valid Class A or B CDL with the ability to obtain air brake, tanker, and hazmat endorsements. Propane delivery experience preferred, but not required. This driver position is predominately Monday – Friday with a 7 am start time and the end time depends on the route/schedule.  An on-call rotation and seasonal overtime maybe required as needed. All applicants must be able to perform all physical requirements of job to include the willingness to work outdoors in all weather and driving conditions, and the ability to lift up to 75 lbs.

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

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.

Quality Control Technician (2nd Shift)

Food Safety and Quality are one of the highest priorities for our company. The Quality Control Technician (QA/QC Tech) is responsible for conducting qualitative and quantitative testing of raw materials and finished goods throughout the entire production process including, analyzing product attributes, conducting package inspections, and auditing lot/date info.  Through daily process checks, as well as short and long term projects, the QA/QC Tech will ensure the integrity of all products produced by Burnett Dairy, so that our customers can always enjoy our products with full confidence and satisfaction. The QA/QC Tech must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, strong analytical skills, have a high level of organizational skills, including written and verbal communication, be a creative problem solver, have both a positive attitude and commitment to company goals.  3-5 years experience in food/dairy production/manufacturing or relevant lab technician experience preferred.  Additional desired skills and qualifications include: knowledge of GMP’s, Sanitation, and HACCP principles.  In order to support the off-shifts, candidates for this position will need to work on 2nd shift, Monday-Friday from 2:00 pm-10:00 pm.

Milk Receiving

The milk receiving position receives incoming milk, performing required testing for the presence of antibiotics, acid and pH levels. Maintain the Intake area as good manufacturing practices require. Must be able to work independently with little supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Receives incoming milk trucks
  • Collects and tests milk samples following established policies and procedures
  • Document data and activities on all necessary forms
  • Inspects Milk for non-conformities and reports any deviations to the Supervisor
  • Monitors silo activity; responding as needed
  • Maintains the Intake area in a sanitary manner
  • Operate CIP equipment as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

  • Basic computer skills preferred; Excel
  • Maintain a Milk, Food & Water Analyst Certification; we will train and help to obtain the initial certification
  • Drug Screening: Charm SL (Safe Level); we will train and help to obtain the initial certification

Physical Demands

  • Occasionally required to lift/carry 40 - 50 pounds
  • Occasionally required to bend, stoop, reach and lift above shoulders, kneel, balance and crouch
  • Required to climb ladders multiple times throughout shift
  • Must be able to stand, walk and use fine motor coordination throughout the entire shift

Availability

  • Availability requirements include: afternoons and 5am until done on weekends (8 to 10 hours), holidays
  • Regular and dependable attendance is required.

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

Visitors to our Factory and Gift Shop can browse our unique selection of gift items or sample a variety of cheeses. An ideal Cheese Store Clerk candidate should provide our visitors with the experience only Cady Cheese can give.  Job duties include, but are not limited to: cashiering, stocking shelves and coolers, maintaining a clean and sanitary work area, and helping customers with their transactions.  To be qualified for this position, a person must be comfortable using a computer, be able to collect money and make change, be comfortable working with food products, is customer service driven, detailed orientated, and a team player that is able to perform in a fast pace environment.  This job requires constant standing, infrequent lifting of up to 50 pounds and the shift requirements include days, weekends, and some holidays, between the hours of 8:30am - 5:30pm with flexible scheduling and a competitive wage with a shift differential for weekend shifts!  If you're passionate about food, enjoy working with customers and co-workers, and are at least 18 yrs old, then 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.