Campus Pride Jobs

When it comes to being wild, we know a thing or two. We're not afraid of trying something new or the hard work it takes to make it happen. It's in our DNA. We've turned a family recipe into a new snacking category. And the wilderness into the world's largest meat snack business, that's still proudly family owned and operated.

We're a company built by innovators, and are driven to not only satisfy your hunger, but to also feed your journey – whether that journey is on the road, on the run, at the campground, at the playground, in the office or in the moment. It’s a journey we share with you. It’s the journey forward of our people, of our communities, of our category…with a reverence for quality and an irreverence for the status quo.

 At Jack Link's Protein Snacks, we see every moment of every day as an opportunity to move forward, to forge new ground. To realize our vision of becoming the World’s #1 Protein Snack Company. We never give up. You never give up. Together, we keep going. Are you wild enough to join us?

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, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks also has a large corporate hub in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company is made up of over 4,000 passionate team members, across 11 countries, who share an uncompromising commitment to delivering awesome products and feeding the journey of those who move things forward. The Jack Link’s Protein Snacks portfolio of brands includes, Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, BiFi, Peperami, Wild River, Golden Island and Country Fresh Meats.

Based in Minneapolis, MN the Manager of Research and Development for Jack Links dual will play a key role in the development and execution of corporate Research and Development (R&D) initiatives including new meat based product innovation, brand maintenance projects, and product and process improvement and will be responsible to lead and mentor product developers.  This position will play a major role in helping the company achieve its aggressive growth objectives through appropriate uses of meat science technology and innovation in new product development, packaging, quality control, and operations.

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

Manage individual projects as assigned

• Deliver key value-added R&D documents to the process of developing and improving products.  This includes but is not limited to:  Development notebook, R&D action plan, Product Cutting outcome form, PBED & PLM system entry

• Support cross functional team providing timely updates and deliver R&D designated tasks

• Manage relationships with suppliers, co-packers and manufacturers to develop innovative new to market and new to category products or ingredients

• Participate in Consumer Insights activities to understand customers’ and consumers’ needs by providing prototypes that meet defined criteria to show

• Partner with Sales and Marketing to understand the business and our customers by participating in competitive analysis

Delegate projects and coach direct reports to help them achieve their individual projects including, but not limited to, development of technical plans, identification and vetting of novel raw materials, coordinating plant trials, manage to cost targets, delivering on timelines, and ensuring cross-functional alignment through development including ensuring clarity on risks and implications. 

• Lead, coach, and engage with direct reports to support their development and delivery on their objectives

• Utilize culinary passion, creativity, and leverage direct reports to lead and teach R&D team members about conceptualization and creation of product samples with dynamic new and on trend flavor profiles in conjunction with current projects

Support meat product innovation including but not limited to new flavors, process modifications that create new organoleptic characteristics, cost saving, or improved process

• Creation, execution, and refinement of innovation process for new idea generation in close partnership with Marketing and Consumer Insights

• Demonstrate curiosity via bringing new ideas and creative solutions

• Attend major industry shows, as needed, to research new and innovative product launches and further industry knowledge via informational seminars

Support the PVE function = designate a member of your team that will allocate 25% of time to delivering annual PVE goals

Support delivery the R&D CPG strategy for the current year, and provide input for 3-year outlook this includes both product, team building, and culture 

Champion quality awareness, delivery, and adherence

Self-motivated. Hands-on and results-oriented

Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary

Deliver on the Jack Links Values

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s in Food Technology, Food Science,’ Chemical Engineering, Meat Science or equivalent experience

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE        

• 5+ years of meat product R & D related experience in Consumer Products Goods (CPG), such as meat snacks. Experience in a senior technical or leadership role required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated experience articulating complex ideas clearly and concisely

• Comfortable in a fast paced, changing environment

• Understanding of experimental designs

• Must be able to communicate effectively with various manufacturing and marketing functional groups

• Must be flexible and able to work well in a team environment

• Retail (CPG) product development experience

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with all levels of leadership and team members

• Strong organizational and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Must demonstrate effective leadership, problem solving, presentation, and team member motivational skills

• Proficient in Internet navigation, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

PREFERRED:

• Master of Science in Food Technology, Meat Science, Food Science, or Chemical Engineering, 

• BA in Meat Science

JACK LINK’S CORE VALUES:

Company values: Be Real, Speed Matters, Stewardship, Relationship Driven, Self-Discipline, and Show Awesome Character.

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

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.