Automation Engineering Manager

At Jack Link’s, we feed the journey. We take pride in rolling up our sleeves and getting things done together. Fueled by creativity, passion, and a commitment to doing things the right way, we tackle the hard stuff first and focus on real progress, bold moves, and no excuses. We create opportunities, celebrate wins, own our misses, and push forward as a team, knowing our strength comes from supporting one another and having fun along the way. We cultivate a workplace where passion meets purpose and our Team Members are inspired, recognized, and rewarded for their contributions. 

If you’re ready to make a difference and build something meaningful, we want you! 

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Headquartered in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s is strategically positioned with production, distribution, and support centers in key locations throughout North America, Brazil, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. This global network allows Jack Link's to deliver a wide variety of high-quality, great tasting protein snacks to consumers around the world. The company’s portfolio of brands includes Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Wild River®, Golden Island®, Country Fresh Meats®, BiFi®, Peperami® , Mariani and Local Legends Meat Snacks.

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Automation Engineering Manager oversees implementation & optimization of automated equipment and systems to reduce costs, increase uptime and drive efficiency improvements. Focused on leading a team to improve efficiency and productivity through automation technology. Involves identifying automation opportunities, developing and executing automation strategies, while managing projects, developing teams and maintaining systems.

The position is responsible for system integration, troubleshooting and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Staying up to date with the latest automation technologies to implement them into process.

DIRECT REPORTS

1. Automation Engineers
   1. Controls engineers
   2. Systems engineers
   3. Process engineers

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Essential Job Functions)

• Technical leadership – Oversee the design and implementation of new automation solutions; guide the team in troubleshooting tactics, analyzing system performance while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Strategic development – Develop cost-effective methods for production processes, collaborating with cross functional teams & department to align on automation strategies for the facility and network. Will develop new automation solutions to meet production improvement goals. Serve as liaise with stakeholders working cross functionally with production, maintenance, IT and quality to align automation solutions that fit the business needs.
• Team management – Hire, mentor, develop and evaluate the automation engineering staff, managing timelines, budgets and resources while directing the team’s workload.
• Project Management – Manage projects from start to finish, including development of schedules, coordinating with team and ensuring deliverables are met.
• System Oversight – Oversees the deployment, troubleshooting and optimization of automated systems, including monitoring performance.
• Reporting – Communicate project status, performance metrics, and other key information to leadership and stakeholders.
• Administrative Tasks - Perform administrative duties necessary for the effective management of the department, including team member safety, selection and development, salary and budget administration, team member counseling and motivation, organization goals and objectives, planning, organizing, integrating, measuring, and reporting the work performed within the department.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, automation technology or related field
• 5+ years’ experience in controls automation, robotics, IoT or PLC programming
• Proven experience in automation, project management and process improvement                              

Preferred:

• Significant experience 7+ years in automation technologies and manufacturing control systems
• Master’s degree in engineering, automation technology or related field     

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Technical expertise in automation, controls and programming, with strong understanding of controls technology, including PLC programming (e.g. Allen-Bradley, Siemens), SCADA systems and robotics (e.g. Fanuc)
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and safety regulations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and team members.
• Must demonstrate effective leadership, problem solving, presentation, and team member motivational skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to 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 will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (i.e. beard/hairnet, ear plugs, frock, boots, etc.), stand for extended periods of time, and use hands/arms to push, pull, reach and occasionally lift above head.  The Team Member must occasionally lift, push, pull up to 25 pounds and 50 pounds infrequently. Team Members are requested to visually inspect equipment and/or product. 

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 wet/slippery floors, varying degrees of temperatures with an average temperature of 40 degrees in the production area.  Team Members will be exposed to raw and/or cooked meat products and moving equipment and will be required to follow all Food Safety Quality requirements.

JACK LINK’S CORE VALUES:

Be Real, Speed Matters, Stewardship, Relationship Driven, Self-Discipline, and Show Awesome Character.

Additional information

The base salary range for this role is $122,000 - $160,000 (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
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

E-Verify
We provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, we are required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. We may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, we use E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.