Continuous Improvement Intern

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. 

Join Jack Link's as a Continuous Improvement Intern during the summer of 2027 in New Glarus, WI! The Continuous Improvement Intern is responsible for assisting the implementation of the Jack Link’s Continuous Improvement Process. The position will be a resource to the Plant Leadership and Performance System implementation teams facilitating meetings, kaizen events, metrics and assisting in the root cause problem solving processes within the facility. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Essential Job Functions) 

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

• Be the plant level change agent responsible for leading and managing continuous improvement process.                                                                                                                                             
• Work along with the Plant Leadership Team to monitor plant targets and Key Performance Indicators.                                                                                                                                                           
• Establish action plans and follow-up meetings, as needed, to advance  process improvements to achieve targets.                                                                                                                            
• Instill “hands-on,” systematic approach to problem solving (“Gemba”)                                          
• Continually challenge individuals and teams to improve through systematic application of continuous improvement methodologies and leading by example.           
• Manage the plant level Key Performance Indicator charting and posting process including daily, weekly and monthly KPI’s.                                                                                                                  
• Simplify the data line performance collection process, automate if possible.     
• Leverage Statistics and other data analysis methods to provide data to plant teams and operational leadership to facilitate the improvement of operations within the facility.       
• Be a member on improvement teams to help with data analysis, problem solving and presentation of solutions to various levels of the organization.                                                                              
• Facilitate Kaizen Events to drive improvements in performance 
• Lead site’s Jack Link’s Performance System (JLPS) program for improvements.      
•  Be the owner of the Simple Root Cause problem solving tool and train   people on its use.   
• Implement a cost savings tracking process based on corporate process. 
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary. 

Measurable output: 

• You will develop a final presentation on your experience highlighting project work, accomplishments, and insight on Jack Link’s as a company. 

Required Education: 

Working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Business, Engineering, Food Science, or other related field. Will consider candidates with another technical degree and related experience. 

Required Experience: 

• Six Sigma/Lean knowledge 
• Experience in statistical process control, root-cause analysis, and or analytical methods 

Preferred: 

• Prior experience in a manufacturing environment 
• Presentation and Project Management experience 

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES 

Proven thorough understanding of continuous improvement activities. 

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively on a phone and before customers and other employees.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to create and interpret graphs and charts.  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.  Ability to deal with conflict resolution. 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and employees. 

Must demonstrate effective leadership, problem solving, presentation, and employee motivational skills. 

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

The hiring range for this role is $23 to $25 per hour for a Bachelor's degree candidate and $30 per hour for a Master's degree candidate. Actual wages will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. 

LINK SNACKS CORE VALUES:

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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member 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 Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member 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. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. 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 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/employees

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

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.