The Ilchester Cheese Company
The Ilchester Cheese Company
The Ilchester Cheese Company

Get to know our fantastic
people

Creating exceptional products is the driving force behind everything we do. We are passionate about high quality flavour and format innovation, that bring a little ease and a lot of enjoyment to people’s daily lives.

OUR
VACANCIES

MEET THE TEAM

The people
behind the cheese

OUR PEOPLE

Open Vacancies

Our current vacancies are listed below. Please click on the links to view the job description and apply

 
 

We are always on the look out for great people based locally who are interested in joining our business. If you would like to enquire about current career opportunities within The Ilchester Cheese Co., please complete the form in Contact Us section 

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Our Values

We pride ourselves on our commitment to Quality without compromise.

We believe together is better: we strive to work in Collaboration and Partnership, both internally within our business, and externally with our suppliers and retailers.

Pioneering Innovation has been a core value since our inception in 1962.

We are a responsible business and employer, and are committed to improving
our impact on the planet and within the local community.

Employee Benefits

Excellent salaries and packages

Development plan and training opportunities 

Private health cash plan, giving you access to private appointments, including physio, dentist and the opticians

Generous pension

Discount portal membership, exclusive discounts at retailers, cinemas, days out and holidays

Financial Wellbeing App – Tailored, confidential and personal financial advice

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Benefits

Employee Assistance Programmes offering mental health support including free counselling sessions. 

Bike to Work Scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Excellent Cheese at discount

The people behind
the cheese

Tom Grenfell

Tom Grenfell

Assistant Accountant
Lauren Dodge

Lauren Dodge

Employee Relations Business Partner
Agata Berger

Agata Berger

Factory Specification & Label Generation Technologist
Stefania Ghelbere

Stefania Ghelbere

Shift Production Manager
James Catchpole

James Catchpole

Managing Director
Merridan Reynolds

Merridan Reynolds

Product Lifecycle & Project Manager
Izabela Majtka

Izabela Majtka

Quality Assurance Manager
Andy Green

Andy Green

Engineering Manager
Charles King Williams

Charles King Williams

Shift Maintenance Engineer
Lee Trowbridge

Lee Trowbridge

Warehouse & Logistics Manager
Tony Helyar

Tony Helyar

Continuous Improvement and Capital Projects Manager

Interested in
working with us?

Discover Our Vacancies
Ilchester border

Website Design by Source

Hygiene Operative
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Entry Level hygiene operatives will effectively carry out a cleaning process for the following areas and pieces of equipment:
• Wash stations and changing rooms
• Offices
• W/Cs
• Canteen
• All low risk and High care areas and equipment across both sites
• Carrying out laundry procedures
• Removing waste to the compactors and operating the compactors
• Supporting production lines washout
• Replenishing overalls, toilets paper, soap, sanitiser, etc.


Outputs and Deliverables:

  • Ensure quality standards are achieved at all times and ensure appropriate action is taken when necessary.
  • Adhere to all the company’s policies procedures and plans.
  • Thorough knowledge of the department and its interaction with related departments.
  • Ensure the Health and Safety of yourself and others.
  • Work to achieve Good Manufacturing Practice at all time.
  • Be proactive in achieving training requirements.
  • Contribute toward the effective cleaning of all machinery in your working environment.
  • Comply with any reasonable requests that you have been trained to do.

 

Background & Profile:

• Previous experience of working in a Hygiene department essential
• Previous experience of working in a Hygiene department in a food manufacturing environment preferable.

Competitive Salary & benefit package

  • Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (6pm-6am/12hr shifts)
  • Night Shift – Monday to Friday (10pm-6am/8hr shifts)


25% Shift Premium earned for all hours worked from 10pm-6am Monday-Sunday.

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Category Analyst
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Analyses and interprets category data in support of Category Manager and developing long and short-term demand forecasts with Sales Managers. A good communicator, the analyst provides a clear ‘so what’ to reporting, enabling the business to make data-driven decisions at pace.


Category Analysis (50%)

  • Provides support to Category & Insight Manager on category reviews, insight projects, internal category tracking updates and retailer presentations in driving strategic direction of business.
  • Updates and populates quarterly data downloads/documents for reviews/customer meeting highlighting opportunities to enhance performance.
  • Identifies historical and current trends to support with making informed decisions on the future direction of the category.


Sales & Promotional Analysis (25%)

  • Deep dives into customer retail portals to extract sales data.
  • Updates weekly EPOS trackers, with a focus on accuracy and consistency, and circulate weekly updates
    with insights that might impact category, sales and demand functions.
  • Responsible for updating, maintaining and circulating promotional and pricing trackers with key insights/updates to team.
  • Updates and maintains the internal promotional performance trackers using EPOS.
  • Responsible for co-ordinating internal distribution trackers collaborating with relevant sales colleagues to ensure up to date with latest distributions.
  • Responsible for updating ranged SKU documents by range event to capture new launches to market, updated ranging etc…


Demand Planning (25%)

  • Analyses historical sales data, market trends, and external factors to develop accurate short and long range demand forecasts to enable effective decision making.
  • Collaborates with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to gather relevant information for forecasting.
  • Maintains and refines forecasting models and methods to improve accuracy over time.
  • Identifies and communicates potential demand risks and opportunities to stakeholders, enabling them to be investigated and managed effectively.
  • Through regular meetings with the commercial team, identifies and challenges forecast over and under deliveries to ensure the moving 3 monthly forecast bias remains close to zero.

 

Background & Profile:

  • Sales or Category background
  • Prior experience of Demand Planning
  • Experience at working with data platforms e.g. Kantar, Nielsen
  • Excellent at working with large data sets and numbers and extracting insights.
  • Proficient in using Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint.
  • Degree Level Qualifications ideally in business related subject.

 

Location: Hybrid options available however regular travel to Ilchester head office will be required.
Working Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm inclusive of 30-minute paid break.
Competitive salary & benefit package.

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Tony Helyar

Continuous Improvement and Capital Projects Manager

My Ilchester Cheese Co. journey started before the building was even built! I was an electrician originally, and wired the place when it was built. I then worked for an aircon company and serviced the airconditioning in the building. Whilst I was doing that I was offered a role here, as engineering supervisor. Over 30 years, I worked my way through a number of roles as engineering manager, production manager, Christmas production manager, another stint as engineering manager, and now Continuous improvement and Capital projects manager. I know every machine very well as I’ve bought them all, but I’m proudest of the first robot that we brought in to pick the portions and improve efficiency on the snacking line. It was the first step to automation in the whole factory.

My current role is my favourite so far as it has so much variety, and I can see the reward at the end of it through improving efficiency. I love coming up with new ideas, and having the freedom to do this, and make it happen. I’m always thinking of new ideas to make things run faster, be easier for the operators, or more environmentally friendly.

The people at The Ilchester Cheese Co. are a friendly bunch. It’s not a hierarchical business, and we work together as a team with the same goal. People are prepared to listen to the ideas of others.

I love Jarlsberg® because of its fresh taste, and the experience of slicing it with a cheese plane. I’m also a big fan of Mexicana® as it’s so versatile on toast, in a chilli or on a burger.

“I love coming up with new ideas to make things run faster, be easier for the operators or more environmentally friendly”

Lee Trowbridge

Warehouse & Logistics Manager

I joined The Ilchester Cheese Co. back in 1999, 26 years ago! I’ve always worked in warehousing, ever since leaving school. It’s a great environment to work in…there’s good banter.

My first role here was as a warehouse operative, then I was promoted to logistics co-ordinator, and later to Warehouse & Logistics manager.
My role means I’m in charge of a team of 22 people responsible for materials planning and the warehouse. We manage stock control, goods in, third party co-ordination, inventory as well as preparing ingredients and packaging to enter production. I love working with inventory – digging into solving issues and navigating the system.

There’s always going to be a drama in the day of a life of Lee. It’s never a simple day, and there’s always something different happening to get my teeth into. I love the people I work with, especially my team. Between 7 of us we’ve done over 150 years service – a huge amount of experience within the business.

I’ve been here 26 years so it must be a good place to work – the work and the characters mean it’s never boring.

My favourite cheeses are Jarlsberg® Reserve – with its mature flavour there’s just something else about it – and I do love the olives in our Mediterranean cheddar.

“There’s always going to be a drama in a day of the life of Lee”

Charles King Williams

Shift Maintenance Engineer

I was taken on at The Ilchester Cheese Co. as an engineering apprentice in 2018, and have been supported through college to become a multiskilled engineer. It’s been great doing an apprenticeship here – the people are very knowledgeable and skilled so I’ve learnt a lot. I’ve been fully qualified for a year and am now a shift maintenance engineer.

My responsibilities range from calibrating machinery, robots and equipment to rebuilding conveyor belts and motors. I enjoy the people I work with, and the companionship between departments. The support to develop has been great – the business puts us through courses to help progress us and advance our knowledge and skills.

I look forward to coming to work as there’s always something new and interesting happening. There’s a lot of equipment here so I learn from people with more experience. All this has meant I’m quite handy round the house too!

My favourite cheese is Mexicana® – the taste and the spice. It’s amazing on burgers, sandwiches, and melted in toasties.

“It’s been great doing an apprenticeship here – the people are very knowledgeable and skilled so I’ve learnt a lot”

Andy Green

Engineering Manager

I’ve worked at The Ilchester Cheese Co. 14 years so far, starting as a shift engineer, to engineering supervisor and since 2022- as engineering manager. I love the variety of the role and that it’s a whole team effort. I have a team of 12, including an apprentice. I’m really proud that we brought in the apprentice scheme; it’s been so successful.

From the moment I walk in to the minute I leave it’s constant and I’m spending most of my time fixing problems, but I love the variety that comes with my role. My dream is to get to a world class standard for %downtime (a measure of operational efficiency), and we’re really starting to see the results come in.

The Ilchester Cheese Co. is a great place to work, with a friendly, family feel, and the fact I’ve been here 14 years is testiment to this. This is a business that looks after its people, so we look after it.

My favourite cheese is Mexicana® becuase I love spicy. I’m from Birmingham which is known for a love of spice. Mexicana® just adds a great kick to any meal – I add it to pasta, or it makes a great cheese, leek & ham pie.

“This is a business that looks after its people, so we look after it”

Izabela Majtka

Quality Assurance Manager

I arrived at The Ilchester Cheese Co. in 2016 as a Quality Assurance professional, and have been subsequently promoted to Senior QA auditor and now QA manager. I’m passionate about quality, and together with my team we take pride in maintaining the highest standards, ensuring every product meets our quality expectations.

My typical day will include time supporting production teams in the factory, ensuring tests are completed, working with labs to test micro levels, managing taste panels to ensure our organoleptics are up to scratch, or doing shelf life validations. Each day presents unique challenges and opportunities, so the work is dynamic and engaging.

The Ilchester Cheese Co. is a diverse place with people from many nationalities. It’s a good place to work, with a good benefits package that really helps us in day to day life. And there are lots of good people here!

Applewood® is my favourite cheese because of its rich, smoky flavour and smooth, creamy texture. The subtle hints of smokiness, combined with a touch of paprika, create a unique and satisfying taste experience. I love it in a sandwich, melted on toast, in pasta or on a cheeseboard.

“We take pride in maintaining the highest standards”

Merridan Reynolds

Product Lifecycle & Project Manager

I joined The Ilchester Cheese Co. originally in 2014 as a production group leader. One Christmas I got involved in planning and really enjoyed it, and from there was offered opportunities in supply chain, as a production planner. I’ve been promoted twice since then, as a supply chain planner then into my current role. I love what I do now as I span so many departments, which gives me an overview of the whole business. I enjoy bringing functions together and love making a difference.

What I love about working at The Ilchester Cheese Co. is that everyday is different, everyday is interesting and we are always learning something new. I did leave for a few years as a planner externally, but came back in 2022 which says a lot about the business!

My favourite cheese is Jarlsberg Reserve®. It’s so versatile – it’s amazing in a panini with caramelised onion, in a cheese sauce, on nachos, and goes with everything. But its also very different to all the other cheese in the market.

“Every day is different, every day is interesting and we are always learning something new”

James Catchpole

Managing Director

I joined The Ilchester Cheese Co. in 2023 as Supply Chain Director, after leading supply chain and manufacturing at Mars  / Royal Canin, Yankee Candle, and Refresco, then moved into the MD role 6 months later. What I love first and foremost about The Ilchester Cheese Co. is the culture and the people- we have real expertise across functions and years of experience here. It’s important to me that people enjoy coming to work, and are passionate about the products they make and sell.

In my role I love that I am able to shape the strategy for the future, making decisions that really make a difference. I take pride in having supported peoples’ development in the business, seeing sparks in people and helping to shape their career.

The quality of our products is second to none, and retaining the highest levels of quality, health and safety is my number one priority. I’m passionate about our portfolio of exceptional brands, and am excited for a future where we put them front and centre of the business.

We are lucky that we’re a local business with heritage, with strong connections to the local community. But we also have a great parent company in TINE, Norway which gives us access to more resources, support and some wonderful Norwegian cheeses. I’m excited for the future of The Ilchester Cheese Co., creating growth and opportunities locally, improving our site sustainability, and producing excellent cheeses for people to enjoy across the globe.

The beauty of our portfolio is that there’s something for everyone’s tastes; my absolute favourite is Jarlsberg® Reserve with its strong flavour profile.

“It’s important to me that people enjoy coming to work, and are passionate about the products they make and sell”

Stefania Ghelbere

Shift Production Manager

I joined The Ilchester Cheese Co. in 2016 as an agency worker on the factory floor, then was offered a permanent role as an operator on the line. I was promoted to group leader position, and then again to shift manager in 2023.

I’m in charge of a shift in one of our two sites within the factory. I have a team led by three lovely supervisors who have taught me a lot. I always love to learn new things and new challenges are what keep me going. The role is challenging, but I love working with the people in the team and across departments.

At The Ilchester Cheese Co. safety and hygeine are big priorities, which is so important when working within the food industry. I feel safe working here, and of course love the cheese!

I love Applewood® because it reminds me of my country – Romania – the smoke flavour reminds me a lot of home. I’m also a big fan of Jarlsberg®!

“Safety and Hygeine are big priorities so we feel very safe working here”

Agata Berger

Factory Specification &
Label Generation Technologist

I joined 10 years ago as an operator on the line. I’d just arrived in England and was quiet and scared. My role has changed a lot since then and so have I!  After 3 years as an operator it was time move on so I applied to be a QA, and I’ve since progressed into this role as Specification Technologist.

My current role is perfect for me because it’s so varied; I get to work on different things and with every single department, which I love. My new role required self learning, so I needed to expand my knowledge; it’s challenging for my brain and I really like it.

The Ilchester Cheese Co. is like a second home for me. This is important to me; I know everyone, they know me and I feel safe here. It’s a familiar atmosphere with great people.

My favourite cheese that we make is our Mediterranean Cheddar; I love Italian food and the mix of the dried tomatoes and  olives with the cheddar is the best.

“The Ilchester Cheese Co. is like a second home”

Lauren Dodge

Employee Relations Business Partner

I joined at 17, as a business admin apprentice supporting the HR team. When I finished I had the option to stay in HR, so I did, and completed my level 3 CIPD as an apprentice. I’ve now been here 8 years and have gone on to do my Level 5 CIPD here at The Ilchester Cheese Co.

Within my current role, I mainly look after Employee Relations, so it’s the people side – maternity, absence management, CSR, employee engagement. I see myself as the link to people – making sure that people are treated consistently and fairly, and making their time at work as positive as it can be.  I’m really proud of the benefits package we’ve put together, such as the enhanced maternity benefits, and the personal finance support package we are bringing in this year.

In a lot of businesses, HR is where you go if you’re in trouble, but I love that people come to us looking for help and support. Being able to help others, and really make a difference, even the small things I can tweak, is what gets me out of bed in the morning.

The Ilchester Cheese Co. is a very friendly place to be. People know each other on a personal level which is so valuable for the business too. I’ve never had a day where I’ve not wanted to come in.
I love our Marmite® cheese in a toastie because it’s so flavoursome – the perfect balance of Marmite® & cheddar!

“People know each other on a personal level which is so valuable for the business too”

Tom Grenfell

Assistant Accountant

After A Levels, Covid hit, and I joined operations, working in materials. I did the role for nearly 2 years, and took all the training I was offered – so I’ve got my forklift license, am trained in block feeding and stock control. When the assistant accountant role came up, I applied for it as it’s something I’ve always been interested it. There are a lot of training options on offer, and so I’m really excited to be training to be a chartered accountant.

In my role I do purchase ledger, which means I pay everyone on time, and do the sales ledger too – it’s interesting as I get to see both ends of the spectrum – money in and money out. I find it really interesting to see how business works as I’m very methodical, even though I’ve put on a stone since I stopped working in operations!

The Ilchester Cheese Co. is a good environment to work in; people are very friendly. It’s the sort of place where if you have an opinion, you can share it and it’s heard. Which is why it’s great to be able to grow within the business.

My favourite cheese? The ones with the flavour – Mediterranean Cheddar is the best, but I love Mexicana® Extra Hot as it’s genuinely really hot and tastes amazing.

“It’s great to be able to grow within the business”

HR Manager
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We need a new HR person!

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Night Shift Food Processor
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This is a fixed night shifts role. Working Sunday to Thursday 10pm to 6am (To avoid any confusion the role would start with the first shift at 10pm Sunday Night, and your last shift would finish at 6am on Friday morning.
 
As a Food Processor/Machine Operator here at Norseland you will be working with modern state of the art automation equipment and manufacturing robotics.
 
We are looking for flexible, proactive and confident Food Processors/Machine Operatives who are looking to secure a career within a forward thinking ever developing food manufacturing company.
 
Training will be provided on our automotive production line machinery to enable you to achieve high efficiency and required quality to achieve the production plan, whilst maintaining high levels of health and safety.
 
You will be involved in Machine line set up, operation of all production line machines and robotics, using the latest machinery technology and equipment all the time adhering to all necessary Health and Safety, Quality, and Planning requirements.
 
In terms of duties, this is a multi-functional role and staff will be expected to run state of the art machinery and robots to help us produce our award winning cheeses.
We offer an excellent competitive salary and benefits package
 
Pay – Actual hourly rates are currently £15.81ph (entry), including a 25% Night Shift Premium.
 
We also offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Time and a half Overtime, free health care cash plan, free retailer discount portal, free parking, company pension, life insurance, free teas and coffees.
 
Norseland is a global specialty cheese business with innovation at its heart, which brings together Norwegian and British expertise in cheese production and manufacturing. The Norseland “house of brands” includes a variety of increasingly popular cheeses. Taking centre stage from Norway is Jarlsberg®, admired by leading chefs worldwide, whilst brands from the UK include the ever-popular Applewood® Cheese, Mexicana® and Ilchester®.
 
Background & Profile:
 
  • Experience in Food Manufacturing is desirable.
  • Experience in machine operating
  • Present yourself in a professional and courteous manner at all times
  • Achieve required pass mark in English language aptitude test
  • Willing to work overtime including weekends when required
  • Ensure you meet the standards of personal hygiene and procedural compliance required by the business at all times
Apply online or call us on 01935 842802 to discuss availability
 
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
 
Work Location: Ilchester, near Yeovil.
 
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
 
Pay: From £15.81 per hour
 
Additional pay:
 
  • Bonus scheme

 

Benefits:
 
  • Company events
  • Company pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee discount
  • Life insurance
  • On-site parking
  • Private dental insurance
  • Private medical insurance
  • Sick pay

 

Schedule:
 
  • 8 hour shift
  • Night shift

 

Ability to commute/relocate:
 
  • Ilchester, BA22 8JL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
 
Experience:
 
  • Production or Food Production: 2 years (required)
 
Licence/Certification:
 
  • Driving Licence (preferred)
 
Work authorisation:
  • United Kingdom (required)
 
Work Location: In person

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Night Hygiene Operative

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We are looking for flexible, proactive and confident Hygiene Operative who is looking to secure a career in food manufacturing.

Working for a global specialty cheese business with innovation at its heart, Norseland brings together Norwegian and British expertise in cheese production and manufacturing. The Norseland “house of brands” includes a variety of increasingly popular cheeses. Taking center stage from Norway is Jarlsberg®, admired by leading chefs worldwide, whilst brands from the UK include the ever-popular Applewood® Cheese, Mexicana® and Ilchester®

We offer an comprehensive benefits package that includes: Time and a half Overtime, free health care cash plan, free retailer discount portal, free parking, company pension, life insurance, free teas and coffees.

Hourly rate including 25% of Night Shift Premium is £15.06 per hour.

Summary and purpose of Role:

  • To participate in the high standard of hygiene as is required for a food producing factory and carry out the hygiene tasks assigned to you
  • To develop competence in all areas of basic skills described below

Entry Level hygiene operatives will effectively carry out a cleaning process for the following areas and pieces of equipment:

  • Wash stations and changing rooms
  • Offices
  • W/Cs
  • Canteen
  • All low risk and High care areas and equipment across both sites
  • Carrying out Laundry procedures
  • Removing waste to the compactors and operating the compactors
  • Supporting production lines washout
  • Replenishing overalls, toilets paper, soap, sanitiser, etc.

Interpersonal skills:

  • Clear communication skills
  • Positive Team work skills
  • Self-Motivated
  • Prepared to develop skills through the company’s training programme as required

Outputs and Deliverables:

  • Ensure quality standards are achieved at all times and ensure appropriate action is taken when necessary
  • Adhere to all the company’s policies procedures and plans.
  • Thorough knowledge of the department and its interaction with related departments
  • Ensure the Health and Safety of yourself and others
  • Work to achieve Good Manufacturing Practice at all time
  • Be proactive in achieving training requirements
  • Contribute toward the effective cleaning of all machinery in your working environment
  • Comply with any reasonable requests that you have been trained to do.

Training/Skills development:

Upon employment, Entry Level operatives should successfully complete training in the following areas:

Quality Assurance skills

  • Foreign Body training
  • HACCP
  • Food Safety for manufacturing level 2
  • Holchem essential cic system
  • Allergen training

Health & Safety Skills

  • Manual handling training
  • COSHH training
  • Emergency procedures training

Background & profile:

  • Present yourself and a professional and courteous manner at all times
  • Achieve required pass mark in English language aptitude test
  • Willing to work overtime including weekends when required
  • Ensure you meet the standards of personal hygiene required by the business at all times

Working Pattern:

  • 10pm-6am Monday-Friday

Requirements:

  • Previous hygiene experience within manufacturing required
  • Previous experience within food manufacturing desired

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