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, MATADOR Jerky, BiFi and Peperami.
Role Summary
The Director of Human Resources - Manufacturing is a critical site leadership role responsible for building, scaling, and executing all HR strategy and operations for a new, startup manufacturing facility in Perry, GA. This leader will build and lead a site HR team of four and serve as a hands-on business partner to plant leadership during a period of rapid monthly headcount growth.
This role requires a builder's mindset and high personal ownership. The Director must develop HR infrastructure from the ground up while simultaneously executing day-to-day HR work to support production ramp and workforce stability. Success requires comfort operating in ambiguity, strong execution discipline, and the ability to sustain a high level of intensity during the facility's startup phase.
Key Responsibilities
Workforce Strategy, Hiring & Retention
Develop and execute a multi-year workforce plan aligned with plant ramp-up, production volumes, and operational readiness.
Lead and drive timely, high-quality hiring to support production ramp across manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, quality, and leadership roles.
Partner closely with Talent Acquisition to define sourcing strategies, recruiting capacity, and execution plans required to meet aggressive hiring timelines.
Establish and maintain talent pipelines through local community partnerships, workforce development programs, technical schools, and labor organizations.
Drive actions focused on workforce stability and retention, with specific emphasis on reducing early-tenure attrition during ramp-up.
HR Infrastructure & Operational Execution
Design, build, and implement core HR infrastructure including policies, procedures, onboarding, performance management, attendance, discipline, employee relations, and offboarding.
Ensure all HR programs and practices are legally compliant with federal, state, and local employment laws.
Serve as the primary site owner for employee relations, investigations, and corrective action-handling matters with urgency, consistency, and sound judgment.
Establish scalable HR processes that support continued growth while maintaining compliance, fairness, and operational effectiveness.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, coach, and develop a team of HR professionals, setting clear expectations and building capability to support a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Balance strategic leadership with direct, hands-on execution, particularly during the startup phase of the facility.
Build a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and strong execution within the HR team.
Plant Leadership Partnership & Influence
Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the Plant Leadership Team and executive stakeholders.
Provide guidance on organizational design, workforce planning, employee engagement, and change management in a startup environment.
Use HR metrics and data to track hiring progress, early-tenure turnover, workforce stability, and engagement; proactively identify risks and implement corrective actions.
Culture, Engagement & Workforce Stability
Build and reinforce a strong site culture aligned with company values, safety expectations, and operational excellence.
Lead engagement and retention initiatives focused on stabilizing the workforce during ramp-up and beyond.
Partner with Training & Development to ensure effective onboarding, skills development, leadership readiness, and internal mobility.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Operations, Safety, Finance, and Training to ensure workforce readiness and production support.
Lead or support cross-functional initiatives that improve workforce effectiveness, safety culture, and employee experience.
Ensure HR practices align with the realities of a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
Required Education:
Bachelor's degree in industrial relations, Human Resources or Business Administration
Experiences:
10+ years of progressive experience in HR leadership roles. Experience in manufacturing, CPG, supply chain, or high-volume environments is strongly preferred. .
Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to present company culture and branding.
Initiative-taking, forward-thinking leader who challenges conventional approaches and inspires continuous improvement and creative problem-solving.
Passionate team leader recognized for building high-performing, accountable teams and fostering a culture that reflects Jack Link's values of ownership, integrity, and teamwork.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to partner effectively across functions and levels of the plant and overall organization.
The salary range for this role is $150,000 - $170,000(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.
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.
