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 Peperami.

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Provides guidance to Food Safety & Quality (FSQ) staff to ensure that product specifications are met, customer/consumer quality expectations are achieved, our organization complies with all USDA regulations, and that all quality issues are identified, investigated and addressed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following:

General

·         Monitoring room temperatures, product temperatures, and monitoring jerky slice thickness.

·         Trained to operate FSQ department when FSQ manager is absent.

·         Fill in for absent FSQ team members.

·         Ensure product conforms to specifications and are correctly labeled / identified for proper disposition.

·         Coordinate increased inspector needs for on line inspection.

·         Monitor overall operational sanitation for their respective shifts.

·         Monitoring the overall safety of the food quality.

·         Collect and organize shipment of Great Value samples.

·         Monitor and check injection paperwork.

·         Calibrate different equipment.

·         Trained in chemical usage and handling.

·         Perform necessary checks at start of shift and at each new product; document on paperwork, code date, correct label, upper/lower film, etc.

·         Coordinate time off requests and replacements for FSQ inspectors.

·         Keep accurate records of products produced and materials used.

Duties

• Verify documented SSOP procedures on associated forms.
• Perform basic math functions to verify entries on various production forms.
• Verify that Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) CCPs are met.
• Review/verify that all documents are complete/correct.

·         Complete pre-shipment reviews (as assigned).

·         Regularly review and verify all HACCP records (as assigned).

• Review processing records daily for: accuracy, proper documentation, compliance, and customer specifications
• Facilitate personnel training in the areas of:  Food Safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Quality issues, Documentation/Verification of records, etc.
• Perform inspection and evaluation of returned products.
• Perform random inspection of warehouse inventory.
• Complete review and report of On-Hold products/materials.
• Perform daily review/approval of Safety Chain (FSQ software tool).
• Complete review and report of recorded Food Safety issues.
• Perform requisite audits.
• Review, report, and file daily processing FSQ data reports.
• Provide guidance to team members on quality concerns.
• Enter Micro results; complete product usage decisions in SAP.
• Performs Gold Standard testing.
• Completes ad-hoc reports as required by corporate.

·         Ability to perform activities of workers supervised. 

Safety

• Perform all duties within OSHA and company safety standards; Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO), and maintain safety equipment.

·         Maintain a safe, clean and organized work area.

·         Immediately report all accidents and deficiencies to the supervisor.

·         Ensure safety devices are installed and working properly.

• Monitor work environment for general food safety hazards such as condensation monitoring, etc.

Leadership

·         Support a culture at the plant which values Personnel Safety and Food Safety.

·         Demonstrate professionalism; encourage and insist on positive attitudes and behaviors from team members.

·         Support a culture of openness and accountability within (and outside) the assigned department.

·         Set an example by demonstrating professionalism; encourage and insist on positive attitudes and behaviors from team members.

·         Encourage employee initiative and innovation, and show recognition for effort & achievement.

·         Create and cultivate positive work relationships at all levels of the plant/organization.

Communication

·         Communicate with peers, team members, and leaders in an effective, timely manner.

·         Keep supervisor/manager informed daily of problems incurred during the shift.

·         Suggest improvements; continuously improve the quality of all support activities.

·         Confer with appropriate personnel to coordinate activities between departments.

·         Work with production personnel to ensure all standards are met.

·         Suggest improvements; continuously improve the quality of all support activities.

Personnel

·         Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training, along with company pre-requisite programs, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOP’s).

·         Ensure that all employees are adequately and properly trained in safety, sanitation procedures, chemical handling and GMP’s, etc.

·         Enforce all safety rules and company policies.

·         Implement and monitor training for new hires and continuing training of current team members.

·         Appraise work performance: conduct appropriate reviews for team members; give coaching/discipline as appropriate in a consistent and timely manner.

·         Review, correct, and approve timekeeping tool to ensure team members are paid correctly each pay period.

·         Provide appropriate interpretation of company policies and safety procedures.

Personnel

·         Ensure proper staffing is maintained.

• Clearly communicate work assignments, directives, and expected outcomes with FSQ personnel.

·         Observe team members to ensure compliance; coach as necessary.

·         Coordinate team member training and morale building with the supervisor/manager.  Training includes proper machine training and documentation.

·         Continuously provide cross training and skill development to staff in order to build bench strength.

·         Address employee concerns and coach employees on proper behaviors and performance.

·         Contribute to the employee performance appraisal process by providing behavior and performance feedback to the supervisor.

·         Ensure team members are properly attired and ready to start promptly at start time, and after authorized breaks.

·         Encourage personnel to stay productive, even during down times.

·         Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

 Required Education:         None

Required Experience:       6 months of relevant experience

Preferred: High School Diploma or GED and relevant product testing experience in the food industry. Basic knowledge of supply chain, purchasing, materials, and/or manufacturing

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES:

Must have a firm understanding of quality assurance methods, product testing methods, standard measurements, regulatory compliance standards, and documentation procedures.

Solid verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with different levels of management and employee groups.

Must demonstrate leadership, problem solving, prioritization, attention to detail, and employee motivational skills. Demonstrated proficiency of computers and Microsoft Office Suite with intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Excel.

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).

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