Jeremy’s Journey

From Dairy Farm Roots to Process Engineering Expert

Growing up on a dairy farm in New Zealand meant Jeremy has always had a connection to the dairy industry. An interest in applying science to real world problems led him to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD in Process Engineering from Massey University in New Zealand, setting the stage for a career built on both practical understanding and academic depth.

A Career Built on Curiosity and Continuous Improvement

Since joining Hilmar 17 years ago, Jeremy’s career has spanned multiple facets of R&D – from supporting pharmaceutical and refined lactose production to pioneering initiatives in cheese and innovation. These experiences deepened his expertise in product and process development, scale-up and technical troubleshooting.

Today, as Senior Director of Technical Services and R&D, Jeremy oversees teams skilled in:

• Cheese and Whey Technology
• Microbiology
• Applications
• Product and Process Development
• Water Treatment
• Loss reduction and system optimization

His team supports both manufacturing and customer-facing functions—ensuring Hilmar’s products meet customer needs and rigorous quality standards while maximizing the value recovered from every drop of milk.

Innovation That Makes an Impact

Among his proudest achievements, Jeremy led the development of Hilmar’s unique, patented smoked cheese process. This innovative method sets Hilmar apart in the industry by smoking cheese efficiently at scale, offering customers a superior smoked flavor and clean label from natural smoke with no added ingredients.

Listening, Learning and Leading by Example

Throughout his 17 years at Hilmar, Jeremy has been influenced by several mentors, both past and present. One lesson that continues to stand out to him: “Get involved, listen and look for opportunities to add value.”

Another piece of advice came from one of Hilmar’s earliest employees, Larry Fillman who was the director of cheese sales at the time: “If you wouldn’t be prepared to do it yourself, then don’t expect others to do it for you.”

These guiding principles underpin Jeremy’s leadership style – rooted in curiosity and an interest in solving problems continue to shape how he leads today.

The Surprising Skills That Matter

One of Jeremy’s most-used tools isn’t found in a lab; he notes that decades of dairy science research exist in books and journals. “Taking the time to find, read and apply that knowledge is key to technical advancement. It also gives you an appreciation that what we do today is built upon the hard work and intelligence of those who worked in this industry before us,” he says.

Advice for the Next Generation

Jeremy encourages early-career professionals to:

• Spend time talking with people to understand their work and listen to their suggestions for improvement
• Combine this hands-on experience with your own expertise and skills to identify opportunities that advance your ideas
• Build progress one day at a time

His own PhD experience was shaped by time in the plant, working alongside operators who understood the nuances of lactose crystallization firsthand. “Their experiences and observations were extremely useful as they allowed me to blend the practical with the science I was studying.”

Motivated by People, Culture and Purpose

When asked what makes him proud to work at Hilmar, Jeremy doesn’t hesitate:

“The culture. People here are given the opportunity to learn through both success and failure. Seeing people who grow from that and use it to continually improve themselves and Hilmar—that’s what makes me proud.”

That mindset reflects Hilmar’s purpose of “Improving Lives Together” and its company values of relationship, integrity, improvement, teamwork and excellence.

Jeremy McLeod’s leadership is a living example of The Hilmar Way – pairing deep technical expertise with strong relationships and a commitment to curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. His deep technical expertise, collaborative approach and passion for learning help Hilmar deliver the advancements that benefit Hilmar’s operations, products and customers every day.