Company description
Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery is located in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. Gateway to the renowned South Okanagan wine region, the Naramata Bench. We are seeking an experienced Cheesemaker to join our family-run team to craft exceptional artisan blue, bloomy, natural & washed rind cheese out of pasteurized four litre jugged fresh Holstein cow milk. There is a separate 1000 sq ft modern (1 bedroom, office, large storage room) cabin on our 9.2 acre sustainably farmed vineyard available for the right person. If you have professional cheesemaking experience, the required licensing, and a passion for quality and craftsmanship, we’d love to hear from you!
Permanent position. Starting date Spring 2027.
We will also have the following positions available Spring 2027: Wine Shop Manager, Groundskeeper, Wine Shop Staff, Pizza Chef.
Job description
Creamery Plant Manager / Cheese maker
Upper Bench Estate Winery & Creamery is located in Penticton, British Columbia, in the South Okanagan at the gateway to the renowned wine region, the Naramata Bench. We bring together two passions—artisan wine and handcrafted cheese—to create a unique experience for our guests.
We are seeking a skilled and experienced Cheesemaker with a minimum of three years of hands-on experience in commercial cheese production. The successful candidate will be responsible for operating our creamery and producing our line of bloomy-rind, blue, natural-rind, and washed-rind cheeses out of pasteurized four litre jugged fresh Holstein cow milk. There is a separate 1000 sq ft modern cabin on our 9.2 acre sustainably farmed vineyard available for the right person.
Qualifications
Minimum of three years of hands-on cheesemaking experience in a commercial production setting
Valid Dairy Plant Process Worker Licence
HACCP Certification preferred
Excellent knowledge Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requirements and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
Expert knowledge of cheesemaking techniques, processes, and troubleshooting, cheesemaking equipment and operation
Familiar with product, water, sample laboratory testing and monthly reporting to government
Ability to comfortably conduct inspections and meetings with government agencies & regulatory bodies
Comfortable contacting and communicating with service professionals, arranging for Creamery building maintenance, repairs and/or renovations
Excellent mathematical, verbal, and written communication skills
Commitment to product quality, food safety, and proper sanitation practices according to the laws & company policy
Passion for producing high-quality artisan cheese
Lead R&D of new products and find solutions to inefficiencies Positive attitude, strong time-management skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team
Physically fit, with the ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 lbs
Duties and Responsibilities
Produce a variety of cheese, including Brie, blue, natural-rind, fresh, and washed-rind cheese from milk to storage in a 1200 square foot plant
Monitor cheese throughout the aging process and maintain appropriate aging conditions in the three cheese caves
Operate & maintain cheesemaking equipment safely and efficiently
Monitor product quality and ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards
Clean and sanitize cheesemaking equipment, tools, and cheese aging rooms in accordance with established procedures & laws
Maintain accurate production records in accordance with all government agencies including CFIA requirements and internal standards
Manage monthly inventory and maintain the cheesemaking production & personnel schedule
Prepare wholesale orders, including cutting, wrapping, labeling, pricing, shipping, and occasional deliveries
Order, source & track all inputs to plant
Communicate and collaborate with the wine shop team and other colleagues to support daily operations and production goals
This job description outlines the primary responsibilities of the position but is not exhaustive. Duties may be adjusted as operational needs require.
Wage: $22.00-$28.00 / hour. Wage dependent on experience, education and qualifications
Start Date: Spring 2027. This is a permanent position. Ideal for a young, fit person who enjoys the Okanagan lifestyle (running, climbing, swimming, hiking, skiing, biking, paddling etc.)
Our commitment is to a safe, inclusive and welcoming work place.
www.upperbench.ca
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $20/hr +
Application instructions
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Deadline
December 31, 2026