Smokehouse Operator

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.

• 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.

Required Education/Experience: High school diploma or GED or one to three months related experience/training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

• 1+ 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.

The starting rate for this role is $20.25 - $26.25 (Hourly). $.75 and $1.50 shift differentials available depending on shift hours. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Link Snacks Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Link Snacks provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

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:

Link Snacks 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:

Link Snacks 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