Smokehouse Operator

  • Full-time
  • Sub-Department: Smokehouse
  • Department: Operations
  • Site Location: Minong

Company Description

When it comes to being wild, we know a thing or two. We're not afraid of trying something new or the hard work it takes to make it happen. It's in our DNA. We've turned a family recipe into a new snacking category. And the wilderness into the world's largest meat snack business, that's still proudly family owned and operated.

We're a company built by innovators, and are driven to not only satisfy your hunger, but to also feed your journey – whether that journey is on the road, on the run, at the campground, at the playground, in the office or in the moment. It’s a journey we share with you. It’s the journey forward of our people, of our communities, of our category…with a reverence for quality and an irreverence for the status quo.

 At Jack Link's Protein Snacks, we see every moment of every day as an opportunity to move forward, to forge new ground. To realize our vision of becoming the World’s #1 Protein Snack Company. We never give up. You never give up. Together, we keep going. Are you wild enough to join us?

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is made up of over 4,000 passionate team members, across 11 countries, who share an uncompromising commitment to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward. The Jack Link’s Protein Snacks portfolio of brands includes, Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, MATADOR Jerky, BiFi and Peperami.

Job Description

The primary purpose of the Smokehouse Operator is to operate and monitor all smokehouse processes. The role of the Smokehouse Operator is to ensure the product is cooked in a safe and efficient manner to the highest possible quality.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The duties and responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following:
  • Load and unload product into and out of ovens.
  • Work to increase efficiencies and product quality.
  • Verify work and storage areas are maintained, safe, clean and organized.
  • Monitor each smokehouse and product cook for accurate cooking process.
  • Understand product thickness to adjust smokehouse process to properly adjust cooking procedures.
  • Understand and rotate product within the smokehouse when needed when monitoring smokehouse process.
  • Follow good manufacturing practices and HACCP training, along with company SOP’s, and SSOP’s.
  • Set oven controllers to correct program indicated in product specifications.
  • Monitor oven cycles and product through testing samples.
  • Perform various tests at required intervals such as PH tests on in-process and finished product, fat and moisture levels, etc.
  • Complete documentation at required intervals according to company practice.
  • Spray applications to products per specifications. Report detected inconsistencies to supervisors, quality assurance personnel, or managers.
  • Sanitize designated drains, floors, and equipment at required intervals.
  • Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary.
  • Oversee current/future inventory of data equipment
  • Oversee and operate Madge Tech software
  • Oversee a cohesive vendor relationship
  • Growth and implementation plan of additional data equipment
  • Scheduling daily data collection across multiple houses
  • Evaluating what data is essential to collect
  • Create, and oversee an effectual database for data captured
  • Operating data loggers/obtain targeted data
  • Oversee physical application, and removal of data loggers
  • Process data from loggers to database
  • Statistically analyze processed data
  • Prescribe improvement changes based on analyzed data
  • Oversee prescribed changes
  • Document, track, and catalogue all house changes
  • Report out of the effectiveness of prescribed changes
  • Oversee the creation & documenting of the data logging processes, and procedures (working with CSD)
  • Oversee a basic training program for smoke house operators regarding data logging & analysis
  • Create, and implement a sustainability plan for all houses once objective target is obtained.

Safety:

  • Perform all duties within OSHA and company safety standards; LOTO, wear PPE and maintain safety equipment.
  • Maintain a safe, clean and organized work area.
  • Immediately report all accidents and deficiencies to the lead/foreman/supervisor.
  • Ensure safety devices are installed and working properly.
  • Monitor work environment for general food safety hazards such as condensation monitoring, etc.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Education/Experience: High school diploma or GED or one to three months related experience/training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:One to two years of relevant experience

  • Experience working with Alkar and/or EnviroPak Smokehouse Ovens
  • Knowledge of SAP

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES:

  • Strong written and oral communication skills required
  • Must demonstrate a positive, professional image of themselves and the company
  • Strong problem solving abilities required
  • Must be able to anticipate, recognize, and resolve various issues and obstacles
  • Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Must be able to work in an ever changing, team environment
  • Good organizational skills; demonstrated ability to prioritize work load effectively.
  • Ability to calculate using fractions, decimals, and percentages, copy figures, count and record without transposing numbers.
  • Ability to follow written or verbal instructions using several variables.
  • Must be able to speak, read and write in the English language enough to effectively perform the essential functions of the position.
  • Ability to work with diverse group of people with varying levels of education and expertise background.
  • Must be able to work odd shifts, work nights, weekends, rotating shifts and short notice overtime based upon plant needs.
  • Must be able to perform repetitive functions.
  • Proficient in Internet navigation, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Proven thorough understanding of fermentation processes and Aw procedures.

Additional Information

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Jack Link's is 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.

E-Verify
Jack Link's provides the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new Team Member’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, we are required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, we use E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that Jack Link’s has violated our responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.