Cheese Packaging Specialist

Redhead Creamery is hiring for the Cheese Packaging Specialist position in Brooten, MN. This hands-on role supports the operation's day-to-day production and care work. Reliable execution and early communication matter because the work directly affects plants, animals, equipment, coworkers, customers, or the surrounding property. What you will do • Receive, stage, sort, pack, load, or deliver farm products according to the day's orders, quality standards, and food-safety procedures. • Use assigned containers, carts, packing equipment, vehicles, and material-handling tools safely and only within completed training. • Maintain accurate counts and labels, protect product condition, and communicate shortages, damage, delays, sanitation concerns, or order exceptions promptly. • Cut and package artisan cheeses in multiple sizes and formats, seal cheese for long-term aging, and prepare and freeze battered cheese curds to the creamery's product standards. • Coordinate daily priorities with the shipping team, record package weights and inventory accurately, inspect cheese for quality and appearance, and help load delivery vehicles on route days. • Operate packaging equipment safely and keep the refrigerated packaging area clean, organized, and food-safe while identifying ways to reduce waste and improve production flow. How the work fits together Packing and distribution work begins with confirmed orders, product availability, route or packing priorities, and a clean, ready work area. The team receives and stages product, checks quality and counts, packs or loads in the required sequence, and records exceptions before anything leaves the farm. Containers, work surfaces, vehicles, and remaining inventory are reset for the next production or delivery cycle. At Redhead Creamery, the employer also makes these role-specific priorities clear: Cut and package artisan cheeses in multiple sizes and formats, seal cheese for long-term aging, and prepare and freeze battered cheese curds to the creamery's product standards. Coordinate daily priorities with the shipping team, record package weights and inventory accurately, inspect cheese for quality and appearance, and help load delivery vehicles on route days. Operate packaging equipment safely and keep the refrigerated packaging area clean, organized, and food-safe while identifying ways to reduce waste and improve production flow. What the employer is looking for • Dairy or food-manufacturing experience and familiarity with USDA, FDA, or FSMA requirements are preferred but not required; related dairy or food-science education is also useful rather than mandatory. • Dependability, self-motivation, teamwork, close attention to detail, and ability to stand through repetitive work, use required protective equipment, work around naturally aged cheese in refrigeration, and lift 50 pounds. • Dependable attendance, direct communication, and willingness to follow the employer's safety, quality, and customer- or production-care procedures. • Ability to complete the role's active, in-person work and to ask for instruction before using unfamiliar tools, equipment, products, or animal-handling methods. Schedule, conditions, and compensation This is an immediate opening at the Brooten creamery. Starting compensation is $18 per hour and may be higher based on experience. Benefits include farm and producer education, a 20% employee discount, Minnesota Earned Safe and Sick Time, growth opportunities, and paid vacation for eligible full-time employees. The public posting does not specify the exact weekly schedule, daily shift, or benefit waiting periods, so candidates should request those details during the interview. The employer publishes starting compensation of $18 per hour; no upper limit is stated. Applicants should confirm the final hours, overtime treatment, starting assignment, travel or reporting point, supplied equipment, and benefit eligibility directly with the employer before accepting an offer. This is an in-person agricultural production position with a small operation. Daily priorities can change with weather, plant or animal condition, equipment availability, customer schedules, and the season. The successful person should arrive ready to work, communicate early when a task or condition is unclear, follow the employer's safety and quality procedures, and leave tools, vehicles, production areas, and job sites secure and ready for the next shift. Applicants should expect active work that may include long periods of standing or walking, bending, lifting, repetitive hand tasks, noise, dust, mud, pollen, heat, cold, rain, or work around moving equipment. The exact physical demands differ by assignment. Candidates should discuss any accommodation needs with the employer and confirm the final schedule, overtime treatment, training period, travel expectations, and benefit eligibility before accepting an offer. Only compensation and benefits expressly published by the employer are included here; unpublished terms have not been estimated. How to apply Email a resume and two professional references to alise@redheadcreamery.com. A cover letter is encouraged but not required. Name the Cheese Packaging Specialist opening and highlight packaging, food-safety, dairy, manufacturing, inventory, or refrigerated-work experience.