Smokehouse Operator - 4th shift (Fri-Sun 6p-6a)

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

Company Description

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 11 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. Jack Link's Protein Snacks family of brands includes Jack Link's, Lorissa's Kitchen, World Kitchens Jerky, Bifi and Pepperami.

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.

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

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 stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally 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 and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.

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).