At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago. 

We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands—Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, and Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few—there’s nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it. 

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks. 

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks. 

Join Jack Link's as an Operations Intern during the summer of 2027 in Minong, WI! As our operations intern, you will apply concepts learned in engineering classes to real world experience and develop an understanding of an engineer’s role in an industrial setting and the general operations of a manufacturing facility. You will also expand their technical skills, with industrial equipment knowledge, pertinent computer hardware and software, and machine integration. 

Our goal is to place dynamic and driven students in our business to manage projects which support strategic goals, while learning about the real business world and gaining valuable hands-on experience.  

The operations intern is responsible for assisting with the successful completion of projects throughout their experience. Projects can be related to process improvements, mechanical or electrical equipment reliability issues, problem solving of production problems, process control data collection, or project engineering. 

This position will work closely with all areas of the company, primarily Plant Operations, Continuous Improvement, Continuous Skill Development, Quality, Engineering, and R&D. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected of this position. This position requires exercising independent judgement to perform the responsibilities herein. This position will be conducted in accordance with company policies and procedures. As the student gains increased knowledge and experience, he/she will become responsible for completing independent projects.  

Operations responsibilities: 

• Project improvement where you will be working both independently and with other departments to identify and execute process and product improvement opportunities  
• Work with department management to learn and improve the overall management process  
• Maintain and communicate all data to department managers for problem identification, resolution, and loss reporting 
• Collect and Provide analytics which includes productivity improvements, cost analysis, and capacity utilization 
• Assist with process documentation 
• Assist team with optimizing assembly flow 
• Collection and reporting of metrics and trends routinely to the plant 
• Assist with engineering opportunities to improve or reduce costs and enhance product consistency / quality 
• Follow Lean Manufacturing Processes; team building, consistency in high quality, preventative maintenance, good workplace conditions, productive work, etc. 

 Measurable output: 

• You will develop a final presentation on your experience highlighting project work, accomplishments, and insight on Jack Link’s as a company.

Minimum Requirements:  

• Completed at least one year of a Bachelor's program and working towards Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or Engineering related discipline. Depending on major should be familiar with Lean, Six Sigma, Automation design, Linear Programing, RfS, and Management tools.  
• Strong statistical skills  
• Strong computer skills Excel, Mini Tab and AutoCAD  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Comfortable in a fast paced, changing environment.  
• Must be able to communicate effectively with various manufacturing and corporate functional groups 
• Must be flexible and able to work well in a team environment.  
• Strong project planning skills 
• Excellent analytical skills 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Junior or Senior Status in degree program.  
• Understand CAD drawings for packaging materials and machine tooling.    
• Experience with flexible film.  

The hiring range for this role is $23 to $25 per hour for a Bachelor's degree candidate and $30 per hour for a Master's degree candidate. Actual wages will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. 

LINK SNACKS CORE VALUES:

Company values: Be Real, Speed Matters, Stewardship, Relationship Driven, Self-Discipline, and Show Awesome Character.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member 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 Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

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/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

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 a 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.

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees performing this role.