CREAMERY + PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Cricket Creek is seeking a full- or part-time Creamery + Production Assistant. This person will work in our creamery to help with the production and care of our award-winning cheeses. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in highly technical and creative food production, supporting local agriculture and small-business community, and reliable work with plenty of room for growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assist in production and wrapping of cheese
Work with creamery staff in all stages of cheese care including affinage, washing, and brining
Closely adhere to maintenance and sanitation protocols
Fill bottles of milk for our on premise farm store
Wash cheese-making equipment and materials, glass milk bottles, creamery facilities
COMPENSATION:
Compensation starts at $15 per hour + complimentary farm fresh raw milk and cheese. You also receive a 20% discount on our pasture raised beef and rose veal, and our whey-fed pork, as well as all products in our farm store. Staff also have complimentary access to a “seconds” section of the meat freezer, where meat with broken vacuum seals or freezer burn is stored, as well as access to ordering groceries at cost. These additional food benefits typically add up to savings equivalent to a $1-2/hr increase in pay.
SCHEDULE & REQUIREMENTS:
Our creamery operates 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday and 8am-2pm Saturday. At this time, we are looking for someone who can work Tuesday through Friday, but are able to make a part-time schedule within those days work. Occasionally, other days may be needed to help cover open shifts due to staff illness or time off.
Must be able to lift 40 lbs and have access to reliable transportation to/from the farm. Must be able to climb stairs regularly and occasionally navigate uneven terrain outdoors. Production work such as this allows for lots of time to talk with your coworkers while you work and so the ability to continue to work with one’s hands while working is required. If you are someone who cannot continue to work with your hands while talking, this will not be the right role for you. As a small business in a challenging industry, staff needs to be able to work efficiently and with a sense of urgency.
This work is physically demanding and requires attention to detail and stringent cleanliness. The Creamery + Production Assistant role requires long days on your feet, sometimes in chilly aging rooms. There will be opportunities to learn about all aspects of the cheesemaking process, and keeping a clean and sanitary environment is the top priority of this position. The ideal candidate will be reliable, efficient, and able to work independently among awesome, dedicated, and hardworking people in a fast paced environment.
Candidates with experience in food production or in hands-on roles working with food are preferred; experience with cheese production is, of course, highly desired.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION:
Cricket Creek Farm is a small, grass-based cow dairy nestled in the Berkshire hills of Williamstown, MA. We produce raw milk, grass-fed beef & veal and whey-fed pork, in addition to 7 different styles of artisanal farmstead cheeses. We milk 35-40 cows at a time and care for about 80 animals in total. Our Mission is to produce nourishing food that honors our animals, respects the land, and feeds our community, and to exemplify a sustainable model for small-farm viability. We sell our cheese, raw milk, beef, veal, and pork in our farm store, alongside a wide range of local products. We also sell our cheese at a number of farmers markets we attend throughout the area.
TO APPLY:
To apply, please email Anna with your resume and a bit about your interest in this role. Highlight any previous experience in food production and service.
Start date: as soon as possible