Plant Manager

At Jack Link’s, we feed the journey. We take pride in rolling up our sleeves and getting things done together. Fueled by creativity, passion, and a commitment to doing things the right way, we tackle the hard stuff first and focus on real progress, bold moves, and no excuses. We create opportunities, celebrate wins, own our misses, and push forward as a team, knowing our strength comes from supporting one another and having fun along the way. We cultivate a workplace where passion meets purpose and our Team Members are inspired, recognized, and rewarded for their contributions. 

If you’re ready to make a difference and build something meaningful, we want you! 

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Headquartered in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s is strategically positioned with production, distribution, and support centers in key locations throughout North America, Brazil, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. This global network allows Jack Link's to deliver a wide variety of high-quality, great tasting protein snacks to consumers around the world. The company’s portfolio of brands includes Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Wild River®, Golden Island®, Country Fresh Meats®, BiFi®, Peperami® , Mariani and Local Legends Meat Snacks.

Jack Link’s is looking for a seasoned operations leader who will be responsible for overall plant operations and maintenance.  This role is a great combination of both thought leadership and execution, with a focus on scaling operational efficiencies and data-driven process improvements. This includes ensuring production of consistent, quality products on a safe, efficient and timely basis.  This role is also responsible for maximizing profit while controlling costs, ensuring stability and growth within the company while achieving or exceeding personal and business goals. We are looking for an innovative operations leader, a self-starter who wants a hands-on role in building structure, systems, programs, and processes to improve operational efficiency.
                                                                                                                                     

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Leadership of multiple capital and process improvement projects
• Ensure engagement of all team members that are aligned with Jack Links Values and Competencies.
• Establish & promote positive relationships with the TMs & community through personal involvement, supporting internal and community programs.
• Responsible for implementing strategies to ensure continuous improvement of production, maintenance & sanitation processes & procedures, while increasing efficiencies and maintaining quality.
• Direct and coordinate plant operations within company policies and procedures
• Support the attraction and retention of team members across the site
• Manage the facility's safety initiatives, which include cleanliness and sanitation
• Establishment and direction of local facility policies and procedures
• Facility production goals and key performance indicators, such as giveaway, yields, labor, and floor loss
• Foster and develop a trained and motivated staff
• Confer with department heads to ensure coordination of purchasing, production, and shipping
• Select, develop and retain facility supervision, administrative professionals and non-exempt staff
• Conduct team member performance reviews and implement appropriate development plans
• Schedule and conduct regular plant meetings
• Attend scheduled corporate training and meetings
• Support the Continuous Improvement of all processes within the facility
• Be deeply involved in Six Sigma level detail of the process
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or relevant work experience
• 3+ years at a Manager, Superintendent or similar level with multiple Supervisors reporting to the position.  Including experience with Batch or continuous process including sequential production with multiple inputs or processes.
• 3+ years in a team-based operating environment. This can include participation in Pillar Teams, Cross-Functional Project Teams, Focused-Improvement Teams or Kaizen Teams. 
• 3 years of experience with responsibility for budgeting and operating budget execution
• 3 years’ experience in a LEAN environment.  This can include 6-sigma, LEAN, TPM or related discipline.
• 3 years’ experience work with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) such as SAP, BPCS or similar system
• 3 years of experience partnering with cross functional areas such as: Quality Assurance (or Control), Accounting, Scheduling and Human Resources
• Education in 6-sigma, LEAN, TPM or related discipline
• Demonstrated leadership of improvement in at least 3 of these 5 performance measures:
  • • Product quality
    • Product yield (or scrap reduction)
    • Labor productivity
    • Plant safety
    • Expense reduction

• Public speaking / presentation skills
• Oral and written communication accuracy
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to utilize MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to Travel:
  • 10-15%
  • 3-4 trips per year

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Currently at An Operations Manager level or above
• Experiences in the food industry
• Experience working in a facility certified under the Global Food Safety Initiative such as SQF (Safe Quality Food) or BRC (British Retail Consortium)

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES:

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 motivational skills.

Proficient in Internet navigation, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI and Outlook.

The pay range for this role is $148,700 - $204,500 (Annual). Actual wage 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 Jack Link’s Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link’s 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 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 may 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/office setting.  Plant environment may include 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.