Operator Smokehouse 4th Shift

Link Snacks; New Glarus (WI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401k plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Link Snacks is hiring a Smokehouse Operator to operate and monitor all smokehouse processes, ensuring product is cooked safely and efficiently to quality standards. The role requires attention to process controls, documentation, and adherence to GMPs.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong communication, problem-solving, and the ability to work independently or in teams, with familiarity in SAP and office software. Weekend and night shifts are included.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent experience required.
• 1–3 months related experience or training.
• Experience with Alkar and/or EnviroPak Smokehouse Ovens preferred.
• Knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload product into and out of ovens.
• Monitor smokehouse processes to ensure proper cooking.
• Set oven controllers to programmed settings as per specs.
• Conduct tests (pH, fat, moisture) on in-process and finished product.
• Maintain clean, safe work areas and complete required documentation.

Skills

Strong written & oral communication

Professional image

Problem solving

Independent work

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Math aptitude (fractions/decimals/perc

English proficiency

Attention to safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

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

Title: Smokehouse Operator

Schedule: 4th/ Weekend Nights

1st Week: Friday-Sunday 6:00 pm - 6:00 am

2nd Week: Thursday-Sunday 6:00 pm - 6:00 am

The primary purpose of the Smokehouse Operator is to operate and monitor all smokehouse processes. The role of the Smokehouse Operator is to ensure the product is cooked in a safe and efficient manner to the highest possible quality.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

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

Preferred

• One to two 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.

Additional Information

The hiring range for this role is $16.96 - $25.44 Hourly. 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. 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

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

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