Cheesemaking, Logistics & Technical Service

Our organisation comprises two cheese dairies where several thousand tonnes of cheese are prepared every year. In Katwoude and in Heerenveen, on behalf of our customers and our own shops, our Cheesemakers make no less than ;50 different age and herb cheeses from regular and organic cow's, goat's and sheep's milk. This demands a lot from our Cheese Makers. Namely, they have to be able to switch quickly and effectively between the different cheese types.

At the Logistics department in Katwoude and Heerenveen, it is a daily challenge to organise all activities related to packaging, refining, maturing, storage and distribution of our cheeses as efficiently as possible so that our customers receive their ;quality cheeses.

Our Technical Service employees repair faults and defects in the mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, control and hydraulic fields of the process equipment in our factories. With their very broad technical expertise, they ensure that cheese making can continue at all times and with their inventiveness, the Technical Service ensures safer technical situations, a higher production capacity and the sustainability of our organisation.

Cheese factory Heerenveen

As an Operator Cheesemaker in a 5-shift job at Cheesemaker Henri Willig, you will work an average of 33.6 hours per week in a technologically advanced production environment where craft and modern production technology come together. You will master the entire process of milk processing and cheese making, from receiving the milk to the finished product. You will work six days and then have four days off. This position is suitable for both starting (apprentice) operators who want to progress to All-round Cheesemaker and experienced Cheesemakers.

Logistics / packaging department Heerenveen

As an All-round Packaging Assistant or Logistics Production Assistant in Heerenveen, you will work in a modern production environment where you will be responsible for processing and packaging premium cheeses. You will contribute to various stages the end of the production process, from post-brine processing to labelling and dispatch, and ensure that products meet the required quality standards. You can work fixed hours, sometimes including an evening shift or part-time/flexible shifts for 2–3 days a week during the day.

Production and Logistics Katwoude

The production and distribution of baby cheeses takes place in Katwoude. Here, the milk from our own Jersey cows is turned into the tastiest cheeses in the cheese dairy. The cheeses go with our own trucks to the farm shops, cheese specialty shops and cheese & more shops in the Netherlands. An external carrier supplies the shops in Germany and Austria. The whole process from country to customer can be seen at this beautiful and unique location.
In our Saturday team, there is regularly room for pupils and students looking for a Saturday job in production/logistics. You will work in a friendly team with peers on the process from handling to packing and preparing for distribution.

Apprenticeship jobs in production / logistics

At our cheese factory, we believe in craftsmanship - and that starts with people. That is why we offer clear learning and progression paths for the three trades:

Logistics& nbsp;
Start as an all-round employee packaging and develop through a learning path to operator handling line. You will work with modern techniques and contribute daily to an efficient cheese processing process.

Cheese making& nbsp;
Start as a field operator or apprentice cheese maker. In our BBL pathways, you will learn all about food, technology and cheese technology. You can progress to senior cheesemaker /1st operator and team leader.

Technical Service& nbsp;
As an apprentice technician, you will learn mechatronics and technical skills. You will develop into an all-round technical service employee with responsibility for our innovative installations.&You can work and learn in BBL routes (working and learning at the same time) or via internal training courses. This allows you to grow as a starter into a professional specialist in a unique family business where quality and craftsmanship are key.