Galesburg Open Interviews

Date: August 20 & 21
Time: 9:00am-7:00pm
Location: 1801 Monmouth Blvd. | Galesburg, IL 61401

Join the TEAM at Western Smokehouse Partners!

We’re more than just a leader in the better-for-you meat snack industry – we’re a team driven by quality, innovation, and a passion for great meat sticks and jerky. With seven facilities across four states, we’re setting the standard in excellence for our co-manufacturing and private label customers. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for highly motivated individuals who want to be part of an industry-leading company that values contribution, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

If you’re looking for a workplace where you’re valued, supported, and where you’ll be part of a team that’s shaping the future of meat snacks, we’d love to have you join us!

During our Open Interview event, we will be hiring several Packaging Technicians and Processing Technicians. You can find the job descriptions for each below.

Packaging Technician:

Position Summary

This position packages Ready to Eat (RTE) products by feeding, catching, metal detecting, palletizing, etc. to ensure high-quality products that meet customer, Quality Assurance (QA), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) specifications to guarantee satisfaction. This job requires standing, bending, squatting, and lifting 60 lbs. through entire shift. Applicants must be self-motivated and excited about working in a team environment.

Western Smokehouse Partners offers competitive pay and excellent benefits, including company-paid health insurance, company-match retirement, and paid time off.

Essential Functions:

• Wears the correct Food Safety garments including: frock, gloves, aprons, sleeves, hairnet, beard nets, etc. in designated areas of the packaging process
• Catch the correct amount of sticks and fill the caddy with the correct product
• Check film, printer, cutting mechanisms, and other packaging machine functions to ensure high quality products
• Set up, check, and document the printer for lot and best by information on finished product package
• Feed the correct size, color, and quality meat product into the packaging machine
• Provide packaging machine with lugs, film, labels, etc. in order to keep production running smoothly
• Cut meat products to the correct customer specifications and label each lug/rack as necessary to keep products separate
• Watch smokehouse cook cycles to ensure timely cutting of meat products
• Responsible for counting products and packaging finished product
• Clean and sanitize packaging equipment/room before each use, break, lunch/supper, or any other production disruption
• Change out and set up machines to the correct specifications for each product
• Prepare labels and products for shipment
• Verify the correct information on product labels, packaging labels, film, caddies, boxes, etc.
• Document accurate information on Metal Detector and Printer check sheets
• Wrap and label pallets for shipment
• Make and check labels for boxes, caddies, and any other packaging materials that are necessary
• Stock finished product and packaging materials neatly on racks
• Metal Detector monitoring, maintaining, calibrating and using screens, sieves, filters or other technologies to remove or detect foreign matter shall be documented
• Unload and load trailers, verify Bill of Lading (BOL)/packing slips, fill out documents for incoming and outgoing trailer sheets, and scan products into Vista Trac
• Scan product, film, and any other materials into batch to maintain precise inventory in Vista Trac
• Will need to be able to lift 60+ lbs on a daily basis
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as necessary for the job
• Follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
• Report any food safety, food defense, internal or external damage to building, and equipment failure to supervisors
• Assume the responsibilities of other Packaging Technicians(s), Packaging Manager and/or Warehouse Manager in their absence
• Assist in other departments as needed
• Other duties may be assigned based on company needs

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand for 8 hours
• Must lift 60+lbs repeatedly
• Repetitive motion
• Able to work in a cold environment

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

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Processing Technician

Position Summary:

Produces raw products by receiving, weighing, grinding, mixing, stuffing, linking, cooking, etc. that meet all customer, Quality Assurance (QA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) specifications to ensure customer satisfaction.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct thorough pre-op inspections of machines, room, and other equipment used in the production process
• Receive incoming shipments, and document product checks in the proper manner on paperwork
• Maintain accurate inventory
• Rotate spice, meat, and other product racks to guarantee first in-first out (FIFO) inventory system to reduce waste
• Scan raw ingredients into Vista Trac to maintain accurate inventory records and to safeguard against input shortages that affect production
• Scan correct raw materials into batches to guarantee traceability in the event of a product recall
• Store meat in the appropriate cooler/freezer in order to freeze or thaw for upcoming production
• Clean smokehouses before use in the mornings
• Weigh the correct amount of raw materials for the batch
• Grind raw materials to the precise stipulations to warrant quality products and customer satisfaction
• Change out and set up machines to the correct specifications for each customer
• Will lift objects that are 60+ lbs. on a daily basis
• Verify the correct v-mags and load them into the stuffer to be stuffed into the accurate casings, cut the casings at the correct positions
• Hang the sticks onto the linking line, inspect to ensure quality
• Load smokehouses with the raw racks and start smokehouse on the program to match batch details
• Thoroughly clean and sanitize equipment/room
• Keep the floor clean of debris and throw away in the proper container to keep contaminated product away from non-contaminated product
• Rope racks with tags that have accurate name, flavor, and colored tag to match product
• Verify information on labels and racks to ensure accuracy of product naming and quality
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as necessary for the job
• Unload trailers, verify Bill of Lading (BOL)/packing slips, complete documents for incoming trailer sheets, temperature check meat, and scan products into Vista Trac
• Stock ingredients on racks
• Report any food safety, food defense, internal or external damage to building, and equipment failure to supervisors
• Assume responsibilities of other Process Technician(s) and Receiving Manager in their absence

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand for 8 hours
• Must lift 60+ lbs repeatedly
• Repetitive motion
• Able to work in a cold environment

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift