Running with Sasquatch is more than just a clever marketing campaign. As a Jack Link’s team member, Running with Sasquatch means we roll up our buffalo-plaid sleeves and do the hard work first. We don’t shy away from challenges. In fact, we push hard and take risks. True to our North Woods roots, we're a bunch of ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things by driving results with innovation, creativity and a clear sense of urgency. Like our awesome protein products, we have an unwavering passion for quality, and you won’t find anything artificial here. What you see is what you get… authentic, humble and fun people who Run with Sasquatch!

Running with Sasquatch takes a team. We invite you to run with us, succeed with us, and celebrate with us. Most importantly, Feed Your Wild Side® with us on our journey to be the dominant global leader of branded protein snacks!

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Still family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, and operates a total of 10 manufacturing and distribution facilities in four countries. Jack Link’s produces high-quality, great-tasting protein snacks that feed the wild sides of consumers around the world. The Link Snacks, Inc.'s, family of brands includes Jack Link's, Cold Crafted, Lorissa's Kitchen, World Kitchens Jerky, Bifi and Peperami.

Come Run with Sasquatch as a Continuous Improvement Specialist to assist the implementation of the Jack Link’s Continuous Improvement Process. In this role, you will be a resource to the plant leadership and performance system implementation teams facilitating meetings, Kaizen events, metrics and assisting in the root cause problem solving processes within the facility. 

Specifically, you will:

• Be the plant level change agent responsible for leading and managing continuous improvement process. 
• Work along with the Plant Leadership Team to monitor plant targets and Key Performance Indicators and coordinate ideal utilization of facilities, equipment, materials, & personnel to improve efficiency of operations.
•   Establish action plans and follow-up meetings, as needed, to advance process improvements to achieve targets
• Instill “hands-on,” systematic approach to problem solving (“Gemba”)
• Continually challenge individuals and teams to improve through systematic application of continuous improvement methodologies and leading by example.
• Manage the plant level Key Performance Indicator charting and posting process including daily, weekly and monthly KPI’s.
• Simplify the data line performance collection process, automate if possible. 
• Leverage Statistics and other data analysis methods to provide data to plant teams and operational leadership to facilitate the improvement of operations within the facility. 
• Be a member on improvement teams to help with data analysis, problem solving and presentation of solutions to various levels of the organization.
• Facilitate Kaizen Events to drive improvements in performance.
• Be the owner of the Simple Root Cause problem solving tool and train people on its use.
• Work with R&D on new products and operational tests.

Required Education 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Business, Engineering, Food Science, or other related field. Will consider candidates with another technical degree and related experience.

Required Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in continuous improvement
• 2 year of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Six Sigma Lean training knowledge and experience
• Experience in statistical process control, root-cause analysis, and or analytical methods

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree
• Six Sigma Green Belt certified.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES:

• Ability to analyze data/inventory
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and team members.
• Demonstrated ability to diplomatically communicate needs and recommendations 
• Proven ability to build consensus across functions and shifts in a plant.
• Actively seek to utilize a “Collaborative Team Approach” in all situations.
• Demonstrated proactive style that ensures the completion of projects despite obstacles.
• Ability to build interpersonal relationships within a manufacturing environment
• Microsoft Office Skills - Strong Word, High Proficiency Excel and PowerPoint skills.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and talk or hear.  The employee occasionally reach with hands and arms.  The employee must rarely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant / office setting with varying degrees of temperatures (from 40-100 degrees) and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.
 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.