Sr Continuous Improvement Specialist

Company Description

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.

Job Description

The Sr Continuous Improvement Specialist is a hands-on team member responsible for driving sustainable performance improvements across the plant. This role partners with operations, engineering, quality, finance and supply chain teams to identify waste, improve process capability, and embed a culture of continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies.

This position requires a strong balance of leadership influence, change management, and individual contributor expertise, with the ability to lead complex improvement initiatives while coaching and mentoring others

Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Lead and execute high-impact initiatives across manufacturing operations, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Develop and implement a culture of Continuous Improvement at the plant including 5S, standard work, and visual management.
• Facilitate Continuous Improvement events including but not limited to; Kaizen events, value stream mapping, A3 problem-solving, and root cause analysis.
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities aligned with business strategy and operational goals.
• Analyze manufacturing processes using data-driven approaches to identify waste, variation, and inefficiencies.
• Track, validate, and report improvement results using KPIs and financial metrics.

Coaching and Capability Building

• Coach and mentor engineers, supervisors, and frontline teams in Lean and continuous improvement tools.
• Support and develop Green Belt and Yellow Belt practitioners.
• Influence leaders at multiple levels to adopt CI behaviors and sustain improvements.
• Act as a change agent to strengthen a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and EHS teams to drive end-to-end improvements.
• Communicate effectively with leadership, translating data and analysis into clear recommendations.
• Support strategic initiatives such as cost reduction, throughput improvement, and operational excellence programs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5 + years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment, with demonstrated continuous improvement, leadership and impact
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification (minimum required)
• Proven experience leading improvement projects and influencing cross-functional teams
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data analysis skills
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification
• Experience in multi-site or complex manufacturing environments
• Formal leadership or supervisory experience
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing data analytics
• Ability to travel when needed (up to 5%)

Additional Information

The salary range for this role is $77,000 – $97,000(Annually).  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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the Team Member will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (i.e. beard/hairnet, ear plugs, frock, boots, etc.), stand for extended periods of time, and use hands/arms to push, pull, reach and occasionally lift above head. The Team Member must occasionally lift, push, pull up to 25 pounds and 50 pounds infrequently. Team Members are requested to visually inspect equipment and/or product.

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 setting with wet/slippery floors, varying degrees of temperatures with an average temperature of 40 degrees in the production area. Team Members will be exposed to raw and/or cooked meat products and moving equipment and will be required to follow all Food Safety Quality requirements.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYEE

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.