Meze Foods is a fast-growing food manufacturing company specializing in premium cheeses, bakery products, dips, and Mediterranean food products. Our production environment is driven by high standards of quality, food safety, and continuous improvement.
We are seeking a hands-on and motivated Junior Cheesemaker to join our production team. This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about dairy processing to grow their technical skills in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Production Operations
- Prepare cheesemaking vats, pipelines, and equipment prior to production in accordance with sanitation and production standards.
- Receive pasteurized milk and verify temperature, quality parameters, and volumes before production.
- Accurately assemble ingredients including cultures, rennet, calcium chloride, and salt according to approved recipes.
- Monitor and control cheesemaking processes including coagulation, curd cutting, stirring, cooking, draining, molding, and pressing.
- Operate cheesemaking equipment including vats, pumps, curd cutters, presses, and brining systems.
Process Monitoring
- Monitor critical process parameters including temperature, pH, coagulation time, and curd development.
- Conduct routine quality checks during production to ensure products meet specification.
- Monitor brining processes and salt levels where applicable.
- Report any deviations in process or product quality to the Production Manager immediately.
Production Documentation
- Record all production data including milk volumes, ingredients, temperatures, and process times.
- Complete batch sheets and production records accurately to ensure full product traceability.
- Monitor daily cheese yield and report any deviations or inefficiencies.
Quality and Food Safety
- Ensure strict adherence to Food Safety Management Systems (HACCP, GMP, PRPs).
- Follow hygiene protocols including correct use of PPE and sanitation procedures.
- Maintain clean production environments and ensure equipment is cleaned and sanitized before and after use.
- Work closely with Quality Control teams to ensure product compliance with specifications.
Continuous Improvement
- Work closely with assistant cheesemakers and production staff to optimize production efficiency.
- Assist in reducing raw material losses and improving cheese yield.
- Support production trials and product development when required.
Requirements
- 1–2 years’ experience in a cheesemaking or dairy processing role.
- Grade 12 qualification; a qualification in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, or Food Science will be advantageous.
- Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and food safety practices in a manufacturing environment.
- Basic understanding of cheese fermentation and dairy processing principles.
- Ability to follow recipes, specifications, and production instructions accurately.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
- Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Excel and production documentation).
- Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment and work overtime when required.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
- Hands-on and practical
- Passionate about food production
- Detail-oriented and quality focused
- Reliable and accountable
- Able to work well within a team environment
Location: Randvaal, Gauteng.
