• Lead artisanal cheese production in a fast-paced, award-winning facility that celebrates ethnic cheesemaking traditions
• Earn a competitive salary of $110,000 to $125,000, commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package and the chance to shape the next generation of artisanal cheese innovation
• Join a passionate, close-knit team where hands-on leadership, tradition, and innovation come together to craft high-quality, artisanal cheeses

About The Portuguese Cheese Company

Welcome to The Portuguese Cheese Company (PCC), where handcrafted tradition meets heartfelt purpose in our award-winning products that serve as flavourful links to culture, ancestry, and home. With over half a century of craftsmanship, our family-owned business brings generations of experience to every batch of Fresh, Semi-Soft, and Firm cheeses that celebrates artisanal European and Latin American cheese making.

Our cheeses are handcrafted using all-natural, preservative-free ingredients sourced from local Canadian farmers, to deliver authentic taste in every bite. Our diverse range of cheeses serves communities who cherish traditional flavours and value the stories behind what they eat.

If you’re a seasoned cheesemaker, you’ll find purpose and passion in our dynamic, close-knit team. At PCC, we’re more than a workplace. We’re a family-run company where tradition meets innovation and everyone plays a role in creating something meaningful. 

For more information, please visit portuguesecheese.com

About the Opportunity

The Portuguese Cheese Company is looking for a full-time Head / Lead Cheesemaker, Artisanal Dairy Production Management based in Toronto, Ontario.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading plant operations, including equipment maintenance to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and productivity while upholding traditional cheese-making practices.

In this position, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of cheese production, plant operations, and packaging, while fostering a positive, safe, and high-performing work environment.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading and supervising production staff and Team Leads across cheesemaking and packaging functions, while remaining hands-on in daily operations
• Overseeing safe, efficient, and cost-effective daily operations to meet productivity and quality targets
• Monitoring and evaluating milk intake, cheese batches, and production processes using established grading and testing methods
• Performing and/or overseeing the evaluation of incoming milk, utilizing microbiological grading criteria and antibiotic testing
• Ensuring inventory accuracy of raw materials, packaging, ingredients, and finished products using FIFO principles
• Developing and maintaining quality control, sanitation, and HACCP standards in coordination with QA
• Coordinating equipment maintenance, production scheduling, and materials planning to meet customer demand
• Managing documentation and reporting for audits, regulatory compliance, and internal stakeholders
• Supporting product development by refining cheese recipes, leading trials, and investigating product variations
• Providing direction, coaching, and oversight to ensure consistent performance across cheesemaking and packaging operations

To read the full position description, please click here.

About You

To qualify, you will ideally have 7+ years of experience in cheese processing, including demonstrated experience leading production teams within a cheese manufacturing environment. Direct experience in artisanal or small-batch cheese production is strongly preferred.

While a college diploma or university degree in Food Science or Engineering is an asset, equivalent experience in artisanal cheese production will also be considered.

The following are required:

• Hold or have the ability to obtain a Milk Plant Grader’s License (equivalent certification or relevant provincial experience will be considered, with support provided to obtain Ontario certification)
• Hold an HTST Operator License
• Ability to undergo a police background check
• Physical ability to perform routine production tasks, including lifting, moving, and operating equipment as required
• Strong knowledge of food science, HACCP, sanitation, and health and safety regulations (e.g., WHMIS)

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:

• Familiarity with milk testing, grading, and utilization systems (e.g., MUV)
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and maintain production equipment
• Proven ability to develop and refine cheese recipes and lead product trials
• Proficiency in production scheduling, inventory control, and reporting using computer systems
• Demonstrated success meeting operational targets related to safety, quality, and efficiency
• Experience managing audits, regulatory documentation, and cross-functional coordination with QA, maintenance, and procurement teams
• Experience working with a diverse workforce; knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish is an asset

As our ideal candidate, you bring strong communication and supervisory skills, with the ability to lead teams effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment. You are confident coordinating across departments such as QA, maintenance, and procurement, and take a hands-on approach to problem-solving on the production floor. Your ability to step in, take ownership, and drive consistent operational performance will be key to your success in this role.

About the Benefits

Compensation based on skills and experience, is a competitive annual salary of $110,000 - $125,000, and a host of excellent benefits including:

• Extended health coverage (e.g., dental, vision, paramedical, etc.)
• Paid Vacation
• Incentives and bonuses
• Relocation Assistance for the right candidate
• Life and disability insurance
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee-Assistance Program(s)
• A collaborative and supportive team culture fueled by shared passion and purpose

From fresh ideas to firm results, help mould the future of artisanal cheese — apply today!