Job Summary

The Center for Dairy Research (CDR) is seeking an assistant coordinator to support a growing Cheese Industry and Applications program on the UW-Madison campus. Housed in a new, state-of-the-art facility in Babcock Hall, CDR is the largest dairy foods research program in the US. The Center has over 60 full-time staff, supports graduate and undergraduate research, and provides technical and training support services to hundreds of dairy producers and processers from around the globe. This position contributes to CDR’s mission by delivering education, outreach, and technical assistance to our dairy partners.

Technical Assistance

The position will provide support for industry-funded technical projects related to dairy processing, product development, and scale-up by leading the design and execution of cheese trials, including experimental setup, analytical testing selection, and reporting requirements for our clients & stakeholders.

Education & Training

The position assists in the coordination and delivery of short courses, laboratory instruction, and pilot plant demonstrations. It involves presenting educational content to industry professionals and also occasionally advises post-graduate students.

Outreach & Industry Engagement

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain relationships with dairy industry clients and stakeholders, through virtual and in-person engagement, by supporting inquiries from industry such as troubleshooting, as well as attending industry association meetings.

An ideal candidate for this role will have worked in the dairy industry with a mix of experience in dairy processing and manufacturing, project management and reporting, and client relationship management. A successful candidate will have excellent communication skills including the ability to break down complex ideas to share with a wide variety of audiences. Additionally, they will either have a valid Wisconsin Cheesemakers License, or be able to obtain one within one year of starting at CDR.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Directs the development of research methodologies and procedures according to client-based objectives and specifications
• Reviews and edits research protocols under limited supervision
• Assists in coordination of short courses including laboratory instruction and pilot plant demonstration
• Prepares reports and materials and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• Collects and analyzes moderately complex research data for one or more research projects. Designs and conducts experiments and interviews. Documents results according to established policies and procedures
• Identifies concerns and recommends solutions to leadership

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in the dairy industry including research and development, pilot plant, or manufacturing experience
• Experience managing projects and achieving desired outcomes, i.e. research trials, operational projects, product development
• Education or experience in dairy chemistry, processing, or cheesemaking

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing client relationships and serving as a primary point of contact
• Experience performing routine and specialized tests for dairy products