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, BiFi, Peperami, Wild River, Golden Island and Country Fresh Meats.

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Operations Business Manager is a dynamic position focused on partnering with multiple different departments to ensure the business’s success. Implementing communications procedures between cross functional departments and developing strategic initiatives to improve efficiency & creating productivity throughout the business. A significant level of ownership and personal accountability will reside within process improvement, capacity planning, manufacturing network optimization, operational efficiencies & savings, and financial budget management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Business Management:

• Analyze current processes within the internal & external manufacturing network to improve efficiencies.
• Conduct capacity analysis and develop strategies to release trapped capacity and or better leverage current manufacturing capacity.
• As needed, be integrated and or lead Special Project’s that directly influence the manufacturing network.
• Take part in long term capital planning/assessments.
• Partner with finance & the business to manage ROI processes and or conversion cost initiatives.
• Provide onsite support related to mergers, strategic projects and or efficiency/improvement objectives.
• Identify & overcome operational challenges & opportunities.
• Co-develop strategies to help drive COGS improvements.
• Be actively involved in Stage-Gate process and provide feedback and support as needed it pertains to projects within the portfolio pertaining to manufacturing capabilities, investment requirements, lead-times, etc.
• Collaborating with cross functional teams to create a budget.
• Employing strategies to ensure company’s growth.
• Develop operational scorecards from cross functional teams to monitor business units KPIs.
• Supplier Relationships: Maintain current knowledge of key equipment suppliers and provide input on the capabilities of providers of automation design, system, and equipment manufacturing.  Evaluate suppliers and make recommendations for selection based on project needs.
• Automation Technology: Keep up to date with automation technology developments, new trends, applications, equipment, and suppliers.  Apply knowledge to promote continuous improvement of existing production equipment.
• Develop processes, procedures, and controls to ensure compliance with our contracts (Financial standards and yields, Quality standards and regulations, production and shipping reporting, operational excellence, capacity requirements)
• Lead platform operations team in the development of FY standard costs with Finance for assigned platform/product lines.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience leading complex, capital intensive projects
• Excellent leadership, people management, communication and influencing skills at a senior level

• 2+ years at a Managerial level and preferably with direct oversight on team-members leading other teams and or team-members.
• 2+ years of experience with budgeting and operating budget execution
• Previous successful leadership of multiple projects relating to purchase and installation of capital equipment.
• Previous successful leadership of multiple projects relating to improvement of quality, yield, productivity, safety, or expense reduction.
• Experience with 6-sigma, LEAN, TPM or related discipline
• Demonstrated skills in these specific areas:
  • Capital Expense project scoping, design, and deployment/execution.
  • Manufacture Contract Negotiations
  • Manufacturing Process Development & on-going improvement
  • People Development
  • Strategy Development & Execution
  • Problem Solving
  • Capacity Planning & Labor Productivity/Optimization
  • Public speaking / presentation skills @ C-Suite Level
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and team members.
  • Must demonstrate effective leadership, problem solving, presentation, and team member motivational skills.
  • Proficient in Internet navigation, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Desired Requirements:

• Current or previous experience with stick production, formulation development
• Experience working with multiple plants that have varying equipment, processes, and levels of automation.
• Experience in the food industry, preferably within a USDA facility
• Experience working in a facility certified under the Global Food Safety Initiative such as SQF (Safe Quality Food) or BRC (British Retail Consortium)
• Bachelor’s degree with close application to position requirements such as Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, Accounting, Management or Quality.
• Track record of leading improvements over a wide breadth
• Leadership of multiple capital and process improvement projects
• Formal experience and training in team management

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to 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 Team Member will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (i.e beard/hairnet, ear plugs, frock, boots, etc), stand for extended periods of time, and use hands/arms to push, pull, reach and occasionally lift above head.  The Team Member must occasionally lift, push, pull up to 25 pounds and 50 pounds infrequently. Team Members are requested to visually inspect equipment and/or product.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant setting with wet/slippery floors, varying degrees of temperatures with an average temperature of 40 degrees in the production area.  Team Members will be exposed to raw and/or cooked meat products, and moving equipment and will be required to follow all Food Safety Quality requirements.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

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