Cheesemaker vacancies in Belgium
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As a cheesemaker you make cheeses and let them ripen. You curdle the milk, shape the cheeses, follow up the ripening closely and take samples to guard the quality. You also store products correctly, package cheeses and keep your workstation spotless, because you always work according to the rules of food safety and sometimes also the rules of a protected designation of origin. Whether you work as an artisan cheesemaker, a cheese refiner or a farmhouse cheese producer, patience and craftsmanship determine the end result. On some farms you also help prepare and carry out the milking. It is a craft profession in the agricultural and food production sector, and in Belgium dairies, cheese farms and refiners regularly look for people with a passion for the product.
Typical tasks
- Curdle the milk as the first step of cheesemaking
- Prepare cheeses and let them ripen
- Shape the cheeses in moulds
- Follow up the ripening of the cheeses closely
- Take samples to guard the quality
- Store and package the products correctly
- Keep the workstation clean and food-safe
Required skills
- Knowledge of hygiene and food safety rules such as HACCP
- Patience and precision during the ripening process
- Physically fit for lifting cheeses and standing work
- Feel for temperature, humidity and product quality
- A dairy or food-processing training is an asset, not a requirement
What does a cheesemaker earn?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €17–€23 gross per hour. Craftsmanship and experience with ripening can push your pay upwards. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
How to apply via Werkvolk?
- Download the appInstall the free Werkvolk app for iOS or Android.
- Set your preferencesAdd your experience and where you want to work. Then explore jobs in the app.
- Chat with employersOn a match you talk directly to the employer, no middleman.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about applying via Werkvolk.
What does a cheesemaker do?
A cheesemaker makes cheeses and lets them ripen. You curdle the milk, shape the cheeses, follow up the ripening and take samples to guard the quality. You also store and package the products and keep your workstation clean, always following the rules of food safety and sometimes also the rules of a protected designation of origin.
How much does a cheesemaker earn in Belgium?
Indicative Belgian pay range: €17–€23 gross per hour. Craftsmanship and experience with ripening can push your pay upwards. Employee pay estimate; actual pay depends on experience, sector pay scales and working hours. Premiums, overtime and benefits are separate.
In which sectors and environments does a cheesemaker work?
You work in agricultural and food production, in environments ranging from artisan cheese farms to larger dairies and refining cellars. On a farm you sometimes combine cheesemaking with milking, while refiners focus entirely on ripening and maturing cheeses. Sales at markets or in a farm shop can also be part of the job.
What is the difference between a cheesemaker and a cheese refiner?
A cheesemaker masters the whole production process: curdling the milk, shaping the cheeses and letting them ripen. A cheese refiner specialises in the last stage and buys young cheeses to mature them further in ripening cellars until they reach their ideal taste. Many professionals combine both roles as producer and refiner.
Is there demand for cheesemakers in Flanders?
Yes, there is healthy demand. Interest in local and artisan food keeps growing, and cheese farms, dairies and refiners across Flanders are looking for motivated people. Because the craft is learned largely in practice, passion for the product and a hygienic way of working often matter more than your diploma.
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