Food Innovation Technician at Jack Link's in Minneapolis, MN

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 SUMMARY

As the category leader in Meat Snacks, we feed our consumer’s wild side by pushing the boundaries of innovation and speed to bring real meat protein snacks to all occasions and customers. In this dynamic environment, this role supports the development, implementation, and execution of new product innovations, as well as enhancements in product quality, process efficiency, and food safety. As our Food Innovation Technician, you will drive the operations of the Innovation Center by working closely with Food Scientists, Engineers, and Packaging members in the shared kitchen, labs, and Innovation Center in downtown Minneapolis.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

IC Operations

• Partner with our R&D team to expand meat snack opportunities by developing innovative consumer prototypes
• Independently develop and add to organizational technical knowledge by executing IC idea generator runs
• Set-up and safely operate Innovation Center equipment with the ability to train and direct others
• Conduct required analytical testing to measure key product attributes (moisture, aW, color, and pH checks)
• Responsible for post-run equipment tear down, clean-up, and preventative maintenance
• Organize ingredients, equipment, and tools for processing and cleaning
• Identify, evaluate, and assess new equipment and techniques with a focus on innovation and safety
• Enable continuous improvement mindset in IC by identifying and implementing standardized processes
• Knowledgeable of USDA regulations and documentation to support USDA inspected runs
• Participate in technical product reviews to understand how product-centric attributes unlock new opportunities

Analytical Lab

• Calibrate analytical equipment as needed
• Test products and packaging with analytical equipment
• Lead the gathering of test run data measurements to capture and describe sources of variation
• Lead the creation of lab reports and proper R&D documentation
• Test run data measurements and recording

Safety & Quality Leadership

• Adhere to Jack Link’s & government mandated food safety and sanitation policies (ex. USDA, HACCP, GMP, OSHA)
• Ensure compliance with all safety policies, practices and procedures
• Manage adherence to prescribed procedures to ensure first pass quality meets or exceeds planned goals
• Ensure close partnership with FSQ including communicating and resolving all quality and production issues with appropriate team members
• Performs other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation 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 sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.  The employee is routinely required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift 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 refrigerated plant / office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science or related field.
• 1+ years of experience
• Demonstrated effective skills at problem solving, planning, and directing team members.
• Proven understanding of manufacturing operations in the food industry including R&D and FSQ work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Lab or production environment experience.
• Food/Meat processing industry knowledge and experience.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced changing environment.

The salary range for this role is $53,000 - $65,000 (Annually).  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.

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.

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/employeesAll your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.