Microbiology Lab Manager

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. Position Summary The Microbiology Lab Manager is responsible for leading the facility’s microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, and pathogen control programs to ensure product safety and regulatory compliance. This role is critical in protecting Ready-to-Eat (RTE) products by proactively identifying and controlling biological risks , including pathogens such as Listeria spp., Salmonella, and other environmental contaminants . This role serves as the technical 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’s primary defense against biological contamination risk In this environment (RTE + current zoning/sanitation gaps), this position is: Mission-critical for regulatory compliance Essential for preventing contamination events A key partner in stabilizing 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. Bachelor’s degree in: Microbiology, Food Science, Biology, or related field Advanced degree (preferred) The salary rang