Full-time
Sub-Department: Food Safety Quality
Department: Operations
Compensation: USD 90,000 - USD 110,000 - yearly
Company Description
AtLink 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® (https://www.jacklinks.com/) , Lorissa's Kitchen® (https://www.lorissaskitchen.com/) , Golden Island® (https://www.goldenislandjerky.com/) , BiFi® (https://www.bifi.com/en) , and Peperami® (https://www.peperami.tv/) and KOOEE!® (https://www.kooeesnacks.com.au/) 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
Position Summary
The Microbiology Lab Manager is responsible for leading the facility'smicrobiological testing, environmental monitoring, and pathogen control programsto ensure product safety and regulatory compliance.
This role is critical in protectingReady-to-Eat (RTE) productsby proactively identifying and controllingbiological risks, including pathogens such asListeria spp., Salmonella, and other environmental contaminants.
This role serves as thetechnical expert on biological contamination risk, providing actionable insights to prevent contamination events and strengthen sanitation and zoning effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities
Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) Ownership
Design and manage EMP across:
Zones 1-4
Determine:
Sampling locations
Frequency
Expansion strategies after positives
Focus on:
Listeria spp.
Indicator organisms
Microbiological Testing & Lab Operations
Oversee:
Product testing
Environmental swabbing
Water testing
Ensure:
Lab accuracy and reliability
Equipment calibration and validation
Maintain proper documentation and compliance
Pathogen Detection & Control Strategy
Identify:
Harborage points
Recurring contamination areas
Provide recommendations to:
Sanitation
FSQ
Operations
Data Analysis & Risk Identification
Analyze micro data trends
Identify:
Hotspots
Recurring risks
Provide actionable insights-not just reports
Response to Environmental Positives
Lead structured response to:
Listeria positives
Ensure:
Root cause analysis
Deep cleaning and validation
Expanded sampling
Sanitation Validation Support
Validate effectiveness through:
Swab data
ATP trends
Identify weaknesses in sanitation execution
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner with:
FSQ RTE Manager ? contamination control
FSQ Raw Manager ? upstream risk
Operations ? implementation of fixes
Key Performance Metrics
Environmental positive rate (e.g., Listeria)
Repeat positives / harborage events
Product microbiological compliance
Time to resolution for positives
EMP compliance rate
Audit performance (micro-related findings)
Experience
5-10+ years in:
Food manufacturing microbiology or QA
Strong experience with:
RTE food environments (highly preferred)
USDA-regulated facilities
Environmental monitoring programs
Technical Skills
Expertise in:
Listeria control strategies
Environmental sampling methods
Pathogen testing protocols
Familiarity with:
ATP systems
Rapid micro testing technologies
Understanding of:
Hygienic design principles
Sanitation chemistry
Leadership Competencies
Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
Ability to influence across functions (Ops, Sanitation, QA)
Detail-oriented with strong data discipline
High accountability and urgency in risk management
Critical Success Factors
This role will be successful if the individual can:
Identify and eliminate:Hidden contamination sources (especially drains, niches, and traffic flow risks)
Transform the plant from:Reactive testing ? proactive risk prevention
Build:A highly effective, data-driven environmental monitoring system
Strengthen:Sanitation validation and zoning discipline
Why This Role Matters
This role is the facility'sprimary defense against biological contamination risk
In this environment (RTE + current zoning/sanitation gaps), this position is:
Mission-critical forregulatory compliance
Essential forpreventing contamination events
A key partner instabilizing food safety performance
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. 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 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 building. Limited travel may be required.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in:
Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, or related field
Advanced degree (preferred)
Additional Information
The salary range for this role is $90,000- $110,000 (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.
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.
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/employeesAll your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
