Lab Technician

Link Snacks; Mankato (MN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive

Medical benefits

Dental and vision benefits

401k participation

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Link Snacks is seeking a Lab/QC role to maintain the Listeria Control Program, perform weekly swabbing, and ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and QA procedures. The position involves testing, data entry, and reporting results to management in a fast-paced meat snack facility.

The role requires a GED or high school diploma, 1+ years in manufacturing, and familiarity with quality systems. SAP experience and calibration skills are a plus; travel is possible within a plant setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; or 1+ years related experience.
• Preferred: knowledge of quality systems and production.
• Ability to calibrate delicate instruments and take accurate readings.

Responsibilities

• Maintain LCOP by weekly Listeria swabbing.
• Maintain Pre-Operational environmental swabbing program.
• Maintain environmental air monitoring program with weekly swabbing.
• Perform required testing of materials/raw materials; read and record chemistry results.
• Follow GMP, HACCP, SSOPs and SOPs; participate in safety trainings.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Quality systems knowledge

SAP experience

Calibration of instruments

Safety procedures

English communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

Job description

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.

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.

Job Description

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

GENERAL 85%

• Maintain the LCOP (Listeria Control Program) by performing weekly Listeria swabbing of areas that are selected for sampling
• Maintain the Pre-Operational environmental swabbing and testing program by performing weekly swabbing of the areas that are selected for sampling
• Maintain the environmental air monitoring program by performing weekly swabbing of areas that are selected for sampling.
• Implement Micro Corrective Action when results of LCOP, Pre-Operational, and operational environment swabbing have exceeded limits.
• Complete testing on all finished product that has been produced during scheduled operating hours.
• Maintain the QPT (Quarterly USDA Pathogen Testing Program) by sending out finished product samples to contract outside laboratory.
• Complete validation, calibration, temperature monitoring, and cleaning of all Micro Lab equipment.
• Perform required testing of materials/raw materials per established schedule or on an ad hoc basis.
• Read, record, and enter all chemistry results; inform management of any high results that are outside the acceptable spec range for chemistry, film, etc.
• Clean all lab equipment, and surfaces daily or as needed.
• Calibrate all lab equipment daily.
• Inform management of any results that are outside of specifications.
• Performs data entry to software tool as applicable and/or maintains relevant spreadsheets.
• Conducts Gold Standard chemistries.
• May be required to perform pre‑op inspection.
• Monitor all the CCP’s (smokehouse cooking schedule) associated with the HACCP program to be able to advise management on any scientific validation issues.
• 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).
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

SAFETY 15%

• Participate and accurately complete all necessary monthly and yearly trainings for safety and SQF

compliance.

• Perform all duties within OSHA and company safety standards; LOTO, wear PPE and maintain safety
• Maintain a safe, clean and organized work area.
• Immediately report all accidents and deficiencies to the foreman/supervisor.
• Ensure safety devices are installed and working properly.
• Monitor work environment for general food safety hazards such as condensation monitoring, etc.

Qualifications

Required Education: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one plus years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Experience: 6 months+ of relevant manufacturing experience.

Preferred: Knowledge and experience in Quality Systems and production are desirable to perform the duties of this position. Prior knowledge of food processing equipment helpful. Knowledge of SAP preferred. Ability to calibrate delicate instruments and take accurate readings on fine gauges. Basic knowledge of supply chain, purchasing materials, and or manufacturing preferred.

Additional Information

The starting rate for this role is $18.55 (Hourly). 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 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.

• annual incentive
• program-specific awards
• medical
• dental and vision benefits
• life and disability insurance
• 401k participation
• paid holidays
• 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.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Proven thorough understanding of one or two step instructions and deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and/or maintenance instructions and

procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Basic verbal and written

communication skills in English.

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or

diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and employees.

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.