Smokehouse Operator - 3rd Shift

About the role

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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/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.

Skills

• 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.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits
• Life and disability insurance
• 40