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.

Join Jack Link’s as our Vice President, Global Research and Development (R&D) set the strategic direction and ensure flawless execution against all Research and Development efforts in alignment with our corporate objectives. In this role, you will be responsible for establishing the product and technology vision and roadmap against Links Snack’s aggressive growth plans, and you will lead and manage functional areas across 4 primary disciplines: Product Development, Packaging Development, Process Engineering and Culinary. 

Additionally, you will leverage Jack Link’s state-of-the-art Innovation Center to help develop breakthrough new products and will serve as the technical and creative leader of R&D for all company-wide projects, while managing effective communication and coordination between R&D, Marketing, Operations along with other internal departments, teams and external resources. Ultimately, you will lead, develop and mobilize all Link’s Snacks  technical resources to drive results and deliver the highest return on investment. Central to the success of this role, you will leverage your forward thinking change agent; able to drive results through clear communication and seasoned influencing skills.

This position reports to the Chief Marketing Officer of Jack Link’s and will also provide critical input to the Executive Leadership team to ensure all company objectives are achieved, and profit and revenue goals are attained.  This leader will be responsible for translating product, packaging and technology opportunities into commercializable solutions that help Jack Link’s achieve its ambitious growth objectives. 

Key Responsibilities   

• Direct the development and execution of both short and long-term research and development plans. Identify strategic initiatives, set and communicate priorities. 
• Leads the R&D business team which includes product development, packaging development, process engineering, and sensory
• Lead the implementation of a new state of the art Innovation and Technology Center in downtown Minneapolis
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Innovation, Sales, Finance and Operations to ensure an innovative and continuous pipeline of new products that delight the customer and the consumer and are a major contributor to the company’s growth.
• Develop strategies, establish tactics and priorities and implement plans to commercialize products in concert with the Marketing and Sales and within the framework of the organization’s stage gate process.
• Oversee all product improvements and identify cost savings through formulations, process, ingredients, packaging, etc.
• Assess and implement new technologies and ingredients resulting from both in-house exploratory research and through partnering with key vendors, academics and public research.
• Connect internal partners across R&D technology platforms and the enterprise with external R&D groups to find optimal solutions to address customer-driven opportunities.
• Lead Knowledge Management & Competitive Intelligence activities for technology activities.
• Initiate, investigate and implement significant new formulations, process improvements and cost savings projects.
• Serve as technical consultant to all operating units of the company across the globe on formulation / processing issues on assigned projects / products.
• Accountable for leading and growing company’s Technical Center of Excellence. 
• Builds relationships with key industry influencers and customers while anticipating future needs.
• Directs the development of medium and long range strategic plans for the R&D function.
• Develops and maintains resource planning and tracking tools to ensure the highest return on the technical investment.
• Prepares and manages against an annual operating budget that supports corporate objectives.

People Management

• Leads a large team of 15+ employees at varying education levels, technical competencies and years of experience. Currently with 5 direct reports.

• BS in Food Science, Meat Science or Chemical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience, MS or MBA strongly preferred
• Experience working with meat strongly desired
• Minimum 15 years of Product Development/Tech Services experience in the packaged goods (retail) food manufacturing industry required.
• Demonstrated leadership at the Vice President level
• Experience in multiple product categories.
• Proven track record in people management (developing, coaching, mentoring, directing) and budget management.
• Ability to operate in ambiguity when process and tools are not readily available
• Ability to effectively build and maintain strong working relationships with both internal and external customers.
• Experience with using a full range of statistical and analytical tools and fundamentals.
• Direct knowledge of food manufacturing regulations, food plant sanitation and microbiology.
• Excellent communication, influencing and problem solving skills.
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with individuals at varying levels: management, plant workers, and customers.
• Ability to be self-directed, forward thinking and make complex decisions that drive business performance.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time

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.

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