Ben’s Journey

From OSU’s Creamery Team to Hilmar’s Cheese Product Manager

Ben’s interest in cheesemaking began at Oregon State University, where a dairy science elective introduced him to the craft. Encouraged by Dr. Lisbeth Goddick, he joined the creamery team where students are actively involved in the production of student-made ice cream, cheese and honey. This hands-on experience is how he first discovered his passion for cheese. After earning a B.S. in Fermentation Science from OSU, Ben pursued a Master of Professional Studies in Dairy Products Technology at Cal Poly.

His career at Hilmar started in 2016 as a production supervisor in the cheese plant, then progressed to the cheese technical team where he worked on the recipes, and ultimately to his current role as cheese product manager. “Every role at Hilmar prepared me for the next one, and I wouldn’t change any of it,” shares Ben. “I learned so much as a supervisor that I still rely on today and truly value that time on the production floor.”

What Sets Hilmar Apart

“When someone buys cheese from Hilmar, they get access to our support, research knowledge and onsite assistance to ensure their success,” Ben explains. Unlike many suppliers, Hilmar’s team visits customer facilities to observe cheese performance and production processes to gather feedback. This active collaboration between customers, R&D, sales and quality ensures recipes are perfected for specific needs, something that truly sets Hilmar apart.

Industry Trends & Innovation

Ben is particularly excited about smoked cheeses. Hilmar has developed a unique, patented process for naturally smoked cheeses—without artificial flavors or liquid smoke. This innovation delivers an even smoke flavor from inside to out by smoking the curds; a distinction no other cheesemaker can offer. “It’s still relatively new, so we’re having a great time showing it to customers and explaining what makes it unique,” Ben says.

Partnerships & Research

Ben values Hilmar’s strong relationship with the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin. As a member of the CDR Industry Team, Hilmar participates in annual forums where research students present cutting-edge projects. These collaborations keep Hilmar—and its customers—at the forefront of dairy science and industry trends.

Ben Smith’s dedication to innovation and collaboration reflects Hilmar’s mission to improve lives through better cheesemaking. From pioneering smoked cheese technology to building strong industry partnerships, Ben ensures customers receive not just exceptional products, but exceptional support throughout the process.

Ben has accepted a new role at Hilmar as the manager – product excellence & customer engagement since this interview.