FSQ Team Lead

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.

Hours:

• 3rd shift: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3:30am - 3:30pm

Wages: $21.81 - $27.26 per hour

Lead a team of FSQ Auditors within a production area (Formulation, Stuffing, or Packaging). Help guide them to be sure yourself and all FSQ Auditors are supporting the implementation of HACCP, SOP, SQF, and R&D and performs plant-wide auditing functions. Also, you will need to support/guide your team to make sure documentation is completed that will ensure that product specifications are met; customer quality expectations are achieved; USDA regulations are complied with; all quality issues are identified, investigated, and addressed. Monitoring room temperatures, monitoring product temperatures, and monitoring product quality/consistency.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Lead your team to perform quality inspections on random product samples to ensure samples meet company specific Quality standards. [For example: thickness, weights, lengths, count, metal detector, etc.]
• Perform pre-op – depending on time, scheduling and production including first piece checks at start of shift or new product changeover.
• Monitoring the overall safety of the food quality to ensure accurate product identification and recipe instructions are being followed. Answer questions regarding rejected product, damage on inbound cases and mislabeled cases.
• Follow plant holds and releases.
• Enter quality inspection data into electronic/written form.
• Record deviations/issues into compliance tracker and inform lead/supervisor of said deviations or defects.
• Process inbound and outbound supplier corrective action requests.
• Perform weekly daily audits.
• Prepares necessary forms and trend charts in support of kitchen or packaging inspection function.
• Implement corrective actions on deviations found during quality inspections, including product loss or adjustments.
• Review of documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• HACCP sign off – dependent on qualifications and availability.
• Review/Close out hold tags as necessary- list should be printed off daily, hold tags must be accounted for; report missing hold tags to lead/supervisor.
• Verify equipment is in good condition and calibrated, as needed.
• HACCP, SSOP, SQF, Prerequisite program maintenance - accuracy, completeness, implementation; aligned with review of production paperwork, verifications, calibrations, and counseling, etc.
• 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). Observe team members to ensure compliance, coach as necessary.
• Acts as a backup for daily operational checklists.
• Assist Quality Control Supervisor with serious or repeated quality problems to help determine the cause and prevent further occurrences.
• Maintain SQF and HACCP book, keep documents up to date.
• Assist with Quality Control and Production audits.
• 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.

Communication

• Communicate with coworkers and leaders in an effective, timely manner.
• Keep foreman/supervisor informed daily of problems incurred during the shift.
• Suggest continuous improvements

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Education: High school diploma or GED

Required Experience: 1-2 years of experience and/or training in a manufacturing or food environment

Preferred:             

• Knowledge and experience in quality systems and production
• Prior knowledge of food processing equipment
• Basic knowledge of supply chain, purchasing, materials and/or manufacturing
• Knowledge of SAP
• HACCP certification preferred, must be completed within 6 months
• Ability to calibrate delicate instruments and take accurate readings on fine gauges.
• College degree

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITIES:

• An aptitude for math is required.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Superior accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and/or maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize in a multi-tasking environment
• Ability to collaborate with remote employees and work as part of a team.
• Must have exceptional time management skills.
• Firm knowledge of quality assurance methods, product testing methods, standard measurements, regulatory compliance standards, and documentation procedures
• Proficient in Internet navigation, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Must demonstrate effective leadership, problem solving, presentation, and employee motivational skills.

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.

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