Jack Link's Protein Snacks

Food Manufacturing

ControlsEngineeringManager

$140–155k Perry, Georgia, United States FULL TIME
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for mid candidates.

The Brief

“Controls Engineering Manager at Jack Link's Protein Snacks. Skills: Automation strategy, Controls engineering, Team leadership, System reliability. Lead automation strategy. Standardize PLC architecture”

What You'll Achieve.

Reduce automation-driven downtime by 25–40%; Implement 24/7 automation support model; Integrate controls into reliability strategy; Integrate controls into daily management; Build high-performing team

Industry & Context.

Food Manufacturing
Problems you'll solve

Root cause analysis; Troubleshooting

Eligibility Requirements

24/7 support model, Wear PPE, Stand for extended periods, Lift up to 25 pounds, Lift up to 50 pounds infrequently

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

12+ years in controls/automation engineering, 5+ years in leadership/management role

Nice to Have

Motion control experience, Vision systems experience, Robotics experience, System integration experience, Commissioning experience

What You'll Do.

Lead automation strategy

Standardize PLC architecture

Standardize HMI architecture

Standardize SCADA architecture

Standardize network architecture

Drive system modernization roadmap

Drive obsolescence mitigation roadmap

Drive digital integration roadmap

Ensure 24/7 controls support

Own automation failures escalation

Own chronic downtime escalation

Partner with Maintenance on MTTR

Define troubleshooting standards

Implement troubleshooting standards

Define root cause analysis

Implement root cause analysis

Lead controls engineering team

Set performance expectations

Set development plans

Set technical standards

Partner with Reliability Engineering

Eliminate repeat failure modes

Build predictive automation strategies

Build preventative automation strategies

Support TPM initiatives

Enable FI via automation

Enable AM via automation

Lead automation scope for projects

Ensure design standards for projects

Ensure commissioning excellence for projects

Ensure seamless startup performance

Own SCADA/MES data accuracy

Own SCADA/MES data availability

Enable real-time visibility into downtime

Enable real-time visibility into performance

Enable real-time visibility into process control

Partner with CI on data insights

Partner with data teams on insights

Work closely with Operations

Work closely with Maintenance

Work closely with Reliability

Work closely with CI/OpEx

Participate in performance reviews

Participate in loss elimination processes

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Cross-functional teams; Operations; Maintenance; Reliability; OpEx & CI

Communication Scope

Translate technical issues

Process & Methodology

Project execution, Capital projects

Full Job 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®](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. The Controls Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, performance, and development of all automation, controls, and SCADA systems within a highly automated food manufacturing facility. This role ensures maximum equipment uptime, system reliability, and continuous improvement of automation platforms to support world-class safety, quality, and operational efficiency. This leader is a critical driver of OEE, downtime reduction, and digital plant capability, partnering closely with Operations, Mainten

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