Technical Specialist III

Job Title: Technical Specialist III

Company: Dairy Connection Inc.

Location: Madison, WI

Description:

Summary
The Technical Specialist III will play a key role in providing technical expertise and support across various aspects of food production, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. This position requires a deep understanding of food science and technology, strong problem-solving abilities, and a passion for helping food producers succeed no matter their size.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend trade shows
• Build and maintain multi-level contacts with key customers while striving to understand their challenges, triumphs, and priorities through in-person visits and routine communication.
• Conduct research and development activities to enhance existing products or develop new product formulations in line with market trends and consumer preferences.
• Mentor and train other staff members on technical concepts, best practices, and emerging trends in the food industry.
• Participate in customer visits and address any technical inquiries or concerns raised during these activities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on product use, composition, and function related to the production of cheese and fermented products. This includes presentations at high-level education short courses and other educational opportunities as well as supporting internal and external customers with relevant industry and product knowledge.
• Support sales by creating product content and answering phone calls and emails from new and existing customers seeking product recommendations.

Work Environment

Duties primarily performed at a desk in an office setting; however, the role occasionally requires time spent in the warehouse, production rooms, applications lab, or at a customer’s facility. This is a small business environment where all employees are cross-trained and may be asked to take on various tasks throughout the day. Initiative and participation in continuous improvement projects are strongly encouraged and supported.

Experience, Skills and Abilities: 

Required Knowledge and Skills

• 5+ years of experience in the cheese making process
• Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts and solutions to a wide range of audiences with process experience
• Ability to maintain confidential information in a professional manner
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or relevant experience
• Critical thinking skills to apply technical understanding and application to solve customer challenges
• Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding food safety
• Must be a self-starter with drive and initiative to work both independently with little supervision and in a small team environment
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft applications, such as Word and Excel, and the ability to quickly learn other internal software systems
• Strong written, communication, and organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Time-management skills to manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines that contribute to short and long-term goals

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Cheesemaker license
• Cheese grading license
• Pasteurizer operator’s license
• HACCP, PCQI or GMP-related certification

Hours/Employment Type: First shift only, Monday – Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Salary/Wages: Full-time position; salary is dependent on experience with a benefits package.

How to Apply: Please email a cover letter and resume to Dairy Connection President Katie Phillips at kphillips@dairyconnection.com. 

Questions? Please contact Katie Phillips at kphillips@dairyconnection.com or (608) 242-9030.