Technical Operations Specialist

Overview

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Family-owned and operated with headquarters in Minong, Wisconsin, the company also has a large hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The organization employs over 4,000 team members across 11 countries and offers a portfolio including Jack Link's, Lorissa’s Kitchen, BiFi, Peperami, Wild River, Golden Island and Country Fresh Meats.

The Technical Operations Assistant is a dynamic position focused on the execution of technical operations, including product support, process and product development, and product data analysis while supporting daily operations. This role involves documentation, testing, and process optimization to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency while collaborating with cross-functional departments to meet operational metrics and business goals. This individual will lead teams and projects to improve overall operational efficiencies, reliability and quality within a technical environment.

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• R&D & Operational Support: Assisting with experiments, product testing, new product launches, prototyping, and process optimization.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintaining project documentation, technical files, and templates in accordance with quality systems and regulatory standards.
• Technical Oversight: Managing technical projects, resolving complex issues with products or systems, and supporting design and development processes with cross-functional teams. Setting up/breaking down equipment, troubleshooting technical issues, ensuring material readiness and monitoring production.
• Cross Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partnering with R&D, Engineering, Project Management, and other internal teams to align technical operations with business objectives.
• Process optimization: Continuously analyze and improve technical and operational workflows to increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve quality. This often involves using Lean or Six Sigma.
• Data Analysis: Monitor manufacturing and product performance trends, analyze data to identify problems, and make informed decisions for process improvements.
• Team Member Training: Support the facility leadership team in identifying training/knowledge gaps with team members on technical process related concerns. Develop action plans with the team to mitigate concerns.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Familiarity with lab techniques, manufacturing processes, software (MS Office), data management.
• Ability to solve complex, ambiguous operational problems and drive continuous improvement.
• Prior internships, manufacturing experience or lab work.
• Ability to work in a team environment and manage multiple tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with cook cycle design.

The starting rate for this role is $65,000 - $80,000 (Annual). 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.

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. The team member regularly sits, uses hands to finger, handle or feel, and talks or hears. The team member is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds.

Specific vision abilities…