Cheese Grader

Description:

Cheese Grader, Arla – Whitchurch & Oswestry (dual sites)

Do you want to set the standard for cheese quality at a high-volume site, partnering with production, planning and QESH to ensure customers get exactly the grade and age profile they need?

As one of our Cheese Graders, you’ll sit at the heart of our One Cheese team, translating production data into the right stock decisions, leading quality reviews with sites, and making sure every pallet meets food safety, quality, legality and customer requirements.

How you will make an impact
Based at our Oswestry site, you will coordinate across production teams, central cheese planning and central QESH to ensure all bulk cheese packed through Oswestry - and product supplied to external customers meets designated specifications and age profiles. At a site packing ~79,000 tonnes annually, you’ll use SAP and grading processes to keep stock accurately classified and available for customers ranging from Castello and Arla Pro to private label for Waitrose, M&S, Asda and Aldi.

* Interpret and analyse creamery production records; update SAP to reflect production deviations and generate pick lists ahead of grading.

* Execute physical grading (incl. chemical and micro sampling) and input grade comments for all pallets; produce grading KPIs.

* Lead weekly quality review meetings with sites; generate weekly stock reports, check stocks and chair weekly stock meetings.

* Reclassify recipes to OC codes per central planning needs; confirm sample pallet grading dates; attend monthly stock meetings with central stock planning, sites and the team.

* Drive investigations and customer focus: traceback and complaint handling; customer/ad‑hoc grades; guided moves inspections; benchmarking, trials/NPD involvement, sensory training and show entry preparation.

This is a permanent position, sitting within the One Cheese team in the QESH department at Oswestry and reports to the One Cheese Lead.

What will make you successful

* BSc (or equivalent) in Food or Dairy Science or related field, plus experience in a sensory or production role within the food industry (preferably dairy).

* Familiarity with food safety regulations and practices (training provided during induction if needed).

* Comfortable with SAP, grading processes, and cross-functional coordination with production, planning and QESH.

* Able to travel between sites and to customer visits as required

* Quality champion: you care deeply about food safety, legality and customer specifications.

* Proactive problem-solver: you show ambition and drive, working on your own initiative to deliver outcomes.

* Collaborative teammate: reliable, communicative and committed to continuous learning and improvement.

You’ll be joining a supportive, collaborative team where we work closely across functions and offer plenty of opportunity to learn and develop. As part of a purpose-driven, sustainability-focused cooperative, you’ll help produce much-loved brands while growing your skills in a complex, market-leading dairy environment

What do we offer?

* 26 days’ holiday

* Annual Pay Review

* Employer pension contribution matched up to 6%

* On-site gym and canteen

* EV car parking and well‑being garden (outdoor space)

* Discounted on‑site staff shop with a wide range of Arla products (e.g., Lurpak, Cravendale, Arla Protein)

Would you like to join us?
If this role sounds of interest, please apply using the link or reach out to Jess Thwaite, Talent Partner, at Arla Foods. We process applications on a continuous basis and may close the recruitment once the right candidate is found. Initial closing date is 24th of July 2026.

Please note: We are not partnered with any recruitment agencies for this role. CVs submitted by agencies will not be considered under agency ownership, and progression with such candidates will not constitute acceptance of agency terms. Please apply directly through our official channels