Assistant Coordinator, Cheese Industry and Applications Group

About the role

The Center for Dairy Research (CDR) is seeking an assistant coordinator to support a growing Cheese Industry and Applications program on the UW-Madison campus. The position contributes to CDR’s mission by delivering education, outreach, and technical assistance to our dairy partners.

Responsibilities

The position will provide support for cheese industry-funded technical projects related to cheese processing, product development, and scale-up by leading the design and execution of cheese trials, including experimental setup, analytical testing selection, and reporting requirements for our clients & stakeholders.

The position assists in the coordination and delivery of short courses, laboratory instruction, and pilot plant demonstrations. It involves presenting educational content to industry professionals and also occasionally advises post-graduate students.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain relationships with cheese industry clients and stakeholders, through virtual and in-person engagement, by supporting inquiries from industry such as troubleshooting, as well as attending industry association meetings.

• Prepares reports and materials and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• Collects and analyzes moderately complex research data for one or more research projects
• Designs and conducts experiments and interviews
• Documents results according to established policies and procedures
• Identifies concerns and recommends solutions to leadership
• Directs the development of research methodologies and procedures according to client-based objectives and specifications
• Reviews and edits research protocols under limited supervision
• Assists in coordination of short courses including laboratory instruction and pilot plant demonstration

Requirements

• Previous experience in the cheese industry including manufacturing, pilot plant, and/or research and development experience
• Experience managing projects and achieving desired outcomes, i.e. research trials, operational projects, product development
• Education or experience in cheese chemistry, processing, or cheesemaking

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing client relationships and serving as a primary point of contact
• Experience performing routine and specialized tests for dairy products

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree is preferred in food science, microbiology, engineering, or related fields. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills including the ability to break down complex ideas to share with a wide variety of audiences.

Benefits

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000. The actual salary will be based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Work will be performed onsite; the headquarter location is Babcock Hall. This position requires occasional lifting of cheese weighing up to 50 pounds and the ability to stand on hard surfaces for long periods of time.