Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 59'600 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 59'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 62'045 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 66'100 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 70'790 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 78'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsFood
Käser- und Molkereimeister/in HFP
You manage cheese dairies and steer milk processing with strategic expertise
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
As a manager of cheese dairies and milk processing plants, you combine business know-how with technical process control.
You take responsibility for commercial cheese dairies or industrial milk processing plants. Your task is to turn visions into concrete business strategies and steer production efficiently. You analyse business key figures, plan staffing needs and ensure the highest hygiene standards. With your expertise, you shape the product range, negotiate with suppliers and lead teams to sustainable results.
FieldFood
Education pathContinuing Education Profession
IndustryDairy Processing
Swissdoc 0.210.43.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Cheese Maker. Based on 285 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+8% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 65'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 60'240 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 64'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 70'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Berne | CHF 71'712 | 39 |
| Thurgau | CHF 67'200 | 15 |
| Lucerne | CHF 66'200 | 17 |
| Fribourg | CHF 64'261 | 56 |
| St. Gallen | CHF 63'467 | 31 |
| Vaud | CHF 59'817 | 17 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture / Forestry / Wood | CHF 71'400 | 17 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 67'200 | 42 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 65'000 | 113 |
| Industry various | CHF 64'909 | 75 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 58'908 | 8 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 56'124 | 7 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Käser- und Molkereimeister/in mit eidg. Diplom
- ⏱ ca. 4 Monate, Vollzeit
Official education path
The advanced training lasts about 4 months full-time. It teaches strategic business management and product marketing.
Typical training path
Käser- und Molkereimeister/in mit eidg. Diplom
Curriculum
- Pflichtmodule:
- Strategie entwickeln Wirtschaftliche Betriebsführung Betrieb führen Produkte verkaufen Wahlpflichtmodule:
- Buchhaltung führen und kontrollieren Finanz- und Businessplan erstellen Controlling/Rapportwesen verwalten Personal führen Projekte umsetzen Betriebsumfeld und Versicherungen
Prerequisites
- eidg. Fachausweis (BP) als Milchtechnologe/-login
- required module completions or equivalence confirmations
- Berufsbildnerkurs
Requirements
- Enjoyment of working with food
- Interest in biological processes
- Good sense of smell and taste
- Technical understanding
- Ability to lead employees and work in a team
- Enjoyment of working with equipment
- Hygiene awareness
- 1Pflichtmodule:
- 2Strategie entwickeln Wirtschaftliche Betriebsführung Betrieb führen Produkte verkaufen Wahlpflichtmodule:
- 3Buchhaltung führen und kontrollieren Finanz- und Businessplan erstellen Controlling/Rapportwesen verwalten Personal führen Projekte umsetzen Betriebsumfeld und Versicherungen
Where this can lead
A lateral entry is possible through related advanced training courses or a degree in food technology. Admission requirements vary depending on the university and field of study.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Business management
- Business thinking
- Process optimisation
- Communication
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You walk through the production halls. You check the fermentation processes and discuss the next steps with your milk technologists/-in. Then you sit at your desk. You compare the business plan with the current sales figures.
- You develop corporate strategies. You implement them together with the management team.
- You manage the bookkeeping. You analyse business key figures like revenue and profits.
- You plan production. You control processes and improve the efficiency of the equipment.
- You ensure strict compliance with hygiene and safety regulations.
- You lead staff. You plan staffing needs and organise targeted training for the team.
- You negotiate with suppliers. You support customers and market the cheese products strategically.
Working conditions
You work mainly in commercial cheese dairies or in middle to upper management at industrial milk processing plants. Depending on the location, you design your working hours flexibly. You stay closely connected with the production hall.
Where to learn
- Schweizerischer Milchwirtschaftlicher Verein SMV BerufsbildungGurtengasse 6, 3001 Bern
Strengths
- Business management
- Business thinking
- Process optimisation
- Communication
Trade-offs
- Irregular working hours
- High responsibility
- Physical strain
- Complex negotiations
06 · Similar
