Inventory & MRO Analyst

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.Job DescriptionThe Inventory & MRO Analyst is responsible for optimizing maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) inventory to ensure maximum equipment uptime in a highly automated, multi-line food manufacturing facility. This role manages a multi-million-dollar repair and maintenance (R&M) budget, drives inventory accuracy, and ensures critical spare parts availability for continuous production in a USDA-regulated environment.The ideal candidate combines data analytics, maintenance planning, and inventory control expertise to reduce downtime, improve asset reliability, and control costsKey Responsibilities – Inventory & MRO AnalystStrategic MRO Inventory OptimizationDesign and continuously refine inventory segmentation strategy (critical spares vs. consumables vs. long-lead items vs. rarely used insurance spares). Perform criticality analysis (ABC + equipment criticality) to identify parts that directly impact production uptime. Build and maintain dynamic min/max and safety stock models using:Usage variabilitySupplier lead times (standard vs. expedited)Equipment failure patternsDrive risk-based stocking strategies:Zero-stock tolerance for uptime-critical componentsVendor-managed inventory (VMI) where viableLead SKU rationalization initiatives:Identify duplicates across OEMs or linesStandardize components across similar equipmentActively manage inventory lifecycle:Introduce new parts for new equipment or upgradesPhase out obsolete or end-of-life componentsDeep Maintenance & Reliability IntegrationTranslate maintenance strategies into inventory requirements:PM (Preventive Maintenance) kitsPdM (Predictive Maintenance) replacement profilesBreakdown/spare readiness modelsWork directly with Maintenance Planners to:Pre-stage parts for shutdowns, rebuilds, and changeoversBuild kitted jobs for faster wrench time executionAnalyze failure data (via CMMS) to:Identify chronic part failuresRecommend higher-spec or alternative componentsAdjust stocking levels based on real failure curvesSupport planned outage execution:Ensure all parts are available weeks in advanceCreate contingency plans for critical equipmentEmbed reliability concepts:MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) alignment with stockingMTTR (Mean Time to Repair) reduction via parts readinessFinancial Ownership & R&M Cost ControlServe as the day-to-day steward of a multi-million-dollar R&M budget. Develop annual MRO spend forecasts by:Asset class (processing, packaging, automation)Maintenance strategy (PM/PdM/reactive)Conduct monthly variance analysis:Identify cost spikes by line, failure type, or supplierPartner with maintenance to correct cost driversDrive cost-out initiatives, including:Repair vs. replace analyticsUse of refurbished/rebuilt componentsReduction in emergency purchases and premium freightMonitor and reduce:Inventory carrying costsExcess and obsolete (E&O) inventoryTrack and improve financial KPIs:Inventory turnsCost per operating hourMaintenance cost per pound producedAdvanced Data Analytics & Decision SupportOwn MRO data governance within CMMS/ERP:Item master accuracy (descriptions, specs, cross-references)BOM (Bill of Materials) integrity for all key assetsBuild and maintain analytics dashboards, such as:Stockout events vs. downtime impactParts usage trends by equipment and failure modeSpend by vendor, category, and asset classPerform predictive analysis:Anticipate part demand based on production schedules and historical failuresIdentify hidden inefficiencies:Overstocked but unused itemsFrequently expedited parts (poor planning signal)Provide actionable insights to:Maintenance leadershipPlant leadershipSupply chain teamsVendor Strategy & Supply Risk ManagementClassify suppliers based on criticality:OEMs for specialized automation componentsStrategic distributors for high-use consumablesLead supplier performance management:On-time deliveryLead-time consistencyPricing competitivenessNegotiate:Blanket POs for high-usage itemsConsignment/VMI programsEmergency supply agreementsDevelop multi-sourcing strategies for high-risk partsMitigate risk of:Single-source dependencyLong-lead imported componentsCoordinate rapid-response sourcing during uptime emergenciesWarehouse & Inventory Control ExcellenceEstablish best practices for MRO storeroom operations:Logical bin locations aligned to usage frequencyClear labeling and barcoding standardsLead and enforce cycle counting programs:Daily/weekly cadence based on criticality tiersInvestigate and resolve discrepancies:Root causes (process gaps, improper usage tracking, etc.)Drive 5S and visual management in storeroom areasImprove technician experience:Fast part identification and retrievalReduced time searching for materialsImplement controls for:Unauthorized withdrawalsUntracked parts usage (key data integrity risk)Cross-Functional LeadershipAct as the bridge between Maintenance, Operations, Finance, and Procurement. Participate in:Daily production/maintenance meetingsWeekly reliability reviewsBudget reviews and capital planning sessionsEducate internal stakeholders on:Inventory implications of maintenance decisionsCost vs. reliability trade-offsInfluence behavior:Reduce “just-in-case” hoarding or over-orderingPromote planned vs. reactive maintenance cultureRegulatory, Food Safety & Audit ReadinessEnsure all MRO processes comply with:USDA requirementsFood safety standards (GMPs, HACCP support)Manage proper storage of:Food-grade lubricantsChemicals and maintenance materialsMaintain audit-ready documentation:Inventory transactionsSupplier traceability where requiredSupport internal and external audits:Provide immediate visibility to inventory recordsDemonstrate control over maintenance materialsContinuous Improvement & DigitizationLead or support Lean / Six Sigma initiatives such as:Storeroom optimizationInventory reduction without increasing riskImplement:Barcode/RFID solutionsMobile technician part issuanceDrive CMMS maturity improvements:Increased technician adoptionImproved data capture qualityBenchmark against industry best practices for:MRO inventory turnsMaintenance cost as % of asset valueWhat “Strong Performance” Looks Like in This RoleNo production downtime due to part unavailabilitySignificant reduction in emergency purchase ordersImproved maintenance efficiency (more planned work, less reactive)Inventory reduced without increasing operational riskClear, data-backed decisions driving reliability and cost controlKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)Inventory accuracy ≥ 98%Stockout rate reductionEquipment downtime attributable to parts availabilityInventory turns improvementR&M budget adherenceObsolescence reductionQualificationsEducationBachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, or related field(or equivalent experience)Experience3–7+ years in MRO inventory, maintenance planning, or supply chain roles in manufacturingExperience in high-speed, automated production environments requiredFood manufacturing or USDA-regulated experience preferredTechnical SkillsStrong knowledge of MRO inventory management and spare parts planningExperience with CMMS/ERP systems (SAP PM/MM preferred)Advanced Excel and data analysis skills (Power BI/Tableau a plus)Understanding of reliability concepts (MTBF, MTTR)Core CompetenciesAnalytical and data-driven decision-makingStrong cross-functional collaborationCost control and financial acumenContinuous improvement mindset (Lean/6 Sigma preferred)Detail-oriented with strong organizational skillsWhy This Role MattersThis position is critical to ensuring uninterrupted production in a large-scale automated facility, directly impacting uptime, cost control, and operational efficiency. Effective MRO management in this role drives both bottom-line performance and plant reliability.Additional InformationThe pay range for this role is $44 - $47 (Hourly). Actual wage 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.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 ENVIRONMENTThe 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.EEO Statement: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.Jack Link’s is 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/employeesDisclaimer:This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by team members in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of team members performing this role.