{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"e4ee0633a25442ba8be11e33","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e4ee0633a25442ba8be11e33","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e4ee0633a25442ba8be11e33","title":"Controls Engineering Manager","description":"Company Description\n\nAt 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.\nWe’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.\nDominating 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.\nReal Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.\n\nJob Description\n\nThe 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.\nThis leader is a critical driver of OEE, downtime reduction, and digital plant capability, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, and OpEx & CI.\nKey Responsibilities\nAutomation & Controls Strategy\nOwn the site-wide automation strategy aligned to production and reliability goals\nStandardize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and network architecture across the facility\nDrive long-term roadmap for:\nSystem modernization\nObsolescence mitigation\nDigital integration (data, MES, analytics)\nUptime & Technical Support\nEnsure 24/7 controls system support model is in place\nEscalation owner for major automation failures and chronic downtime issues\nPartner with Maintenance to reduce MTTR for controls-related failures\nDefine and implement:\nTroubleshooting standards\nRoot cause analysis for automation failures\nControls Engineering Team Leadership\nLead team of:\nControls Engineers\nSCADA Engineers\n(Indirect) Automation Technicians\nSet performance expectations, development plans, and technical standards\nBuild bench strength for a multi-shift automated environment\nReliability & TPM Integration\nPartner with Reliability Engineering to:\nEliminate repeat failure modes\nBuild predictive and preventative automation strategies\nSupport TPM initiatives:\nFocused improvement (FI)\nAutonomous maintenance (AM) enablement via automation\nProject Execution\nLead automation scope for capital projects:\nLine installations\nSystem upgrades\nProcess improvements\nEnsure:\nDesign standards\nCommissioning excellence\nSeamless startup performance\nData & Digital Systems\nOwn SCADA/MES data accuracy and availability\nEnable real-time visibility into:\nDowntime\nPerformance\nProcess control parameters\nPartner with CI and data teams to convert data into actionable insights\nCross-Functional Integration\nWork closely with:\nOperations → support throughput and line stability\nMaintenance → ensure execution capability\nReliability → eliminate root causes\nCI/OpEx → implement improvements\nParticipate in daily/weekly performance reviews and loss elimination processes\nKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)\nLine OEE improvement (automation-driven losses)\nMTTR reduction (controls-related issues)\nAutomation-related downtime (% of total downtime)\nProject delivery (on-time, on-budget, startup performance)\nControls system standardization compliance\nSCADA/data integrity and uptime\nTechnical Expertise\nStrong hands-on experience with:\nPLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)\nHMI/SCADA systems\nIndustrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, etc.)\nExperience with:\nMotion control, vision systems, robotics (preferred)\nSystem integration and commissioning\nUnderstanding of:\nCMMS systems\nReliability/TPM principles\nLeadership Competencies\nSystems thinker (understands end-to-end process flows)\nBias for action in high-pressure downtime situations\nStrong cross-functional influencer\nAbility to translate technical issues into business impact\nBuilds and develops technical talent pipelines\nSuccess Profile (What Good Looks Like)\nWithin 12 months, this leader:\nEstablishes stable, standardized control systems across all lines\nReduces automation-driven downtime by 25–40%\nImplements 24/7 automation support model\nFully integrates controls into:\nReliability strategy\nDaily performance management\nBuilds a high-performing controls + automation team\nReporting Structure\nReports to: Plant Engineering Manager\nDirect Reports:\nSr. Controls Engineers\nSCADA Engineer\nIndirect Influence:\nAutomation Technicians\nMaintenance Supervisors\nReliability Engineers\nWhy This Role Matters\nIn a plant of this size and automation level:\nThe Controls Engineering Manager is the single biggest lever for uptime, throughput, and operational stability.\nThis role directly determines whether the facility operates at:\nAverage performance (reactive, unstable), or\nTop-quartile performance (predictable, optimized, data-driven\n\nQualifications\n\nRequired Qualifications:\n8 + years in controls/automation engineering in manufacturing\n3 + years in leadership/management role\nExperience in high-speed, highly automated environments (food manufacturing preferred)\nPreffered Qualifications:\n12+ years in controls/automation engineering in manufacturing\n5+ years in leadership/management role\n\nAdditional Information\n\nThe pay range for this role is $140k - $155k (Annual). 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\nPHYSICAL DEMANDS\nThe 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.\nWhile 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.\nWORK ENVIRONMENT\nThe 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.\nEEO Statement:\nJack 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.\nJack 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/employees\nDisclaimer:\nThis 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.\nPay: $140,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year\nBenefits:\n401(k)\nDental insurance\nEmployee discount\nFlexible schedule\nHealth insurance\nLife insurance\nPaid time off\nReferral program\nRelocation assistance\nVision insurance\nWork Location: In person","company":"Jacklink","rawCompany":"jacklink","city":"Perry","state":"GA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-07-21T11:58:38.953Z","occupations":[{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"},{"code":"11-3051.01","title":"Quality Control Systems Managers","slug":"quality-control-systems-managers"},{"code":"17-2199.05","title":"Mechatronics Engineers","slug":"mechatronics-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"335314","title":"Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing","slug":"relay-and-industrial-control-manufacturing"},{"code":"311919","title":"Other Snack Food Manufacturing","slug":"other-snack-food-manufacturing"},{"code":"311999","title":"All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing","slug":"all-other-miscellaneous-food-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Controls Engineering Manager","description":"Company Description\n\nAt 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.\nWe’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.\nDominating 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.\nReal Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.\n\nJob Description\n\nThe 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.\nThis leader is a critical driver of OEE, downtime reduction, and digital plant capability, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, and OpEx & CI.\nKey Responsibilities\nAutomation & Controls Strategy\nOwn the site-wide automation strategy aligned to production and reliability goals\nStandardize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and network architecture across the facility\nDrive long-term roadmap for:\nSystem modernization\nObsolescence mitigation\nDigital integration (data, MES, analytics)\nUptime & Technical Support\nEnsure 24/7 controls system support model is in place\nEscalation owner for major automation failures and chronic downtime issues\nPartner with Maintenance to reduce MTTR for controls-related failures\nDefine and implement:\nTroubleshooting standards\nRoot cause analysis for automation failures\nControls Engineering Team Leadership\nLead team of:\nControls Engineers\nSCADA Engineers\n(Indirect) Automation Technicians\nSet performance expectations, development plans, and technical standards\nBuild bench strength for a multi-shift automated environment\nReliability & TPM Integration\nPartner with Reliability Engineering to:\nEliminate repeat failure modes\nBuild predictive and preventative automation strategies\nSupport TPM initiatives:\nFocused improvement (FI)\nAutonomous maintenance (AM) enablement via automation\nProject Execution\nLead automation scope for capital projects:\nLine installations\nSystem upgrades\nProcess improvements\nEnsure:\nDesign standards\nCommissioning excellence\nSeamless startup performance\nData & Digital Systems\nOwn SCADA/MES data accuracy and availability\nEnable real-time visibility into:\nDowntime\nPerformance\nProcess control parameters\nPartner with CI and data teams to convert data into actionable insights\nCross-Functional Integration\nWork closely with:\nOperations → support throughput and line stability\nMaintenance → ensure execution capability\nReliability → eliminate root causes\nCI/OpEx → implement improvements\nParticipate in daily/weekly performance reviews and loss elimination processes\nKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)\nLine OEE improvement (automation-driven losses)\nMTTR reduction (controls-related issues)\nAutomation-related downtime (% of total downtime)\nProject delivery (on-time, on-budget, startup performance)\nControls system standardization compliance\nSCADA/data integrity and uptime\nTechnical Expertise\nStrong hands-on experience with:\nPLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)\nHMI/SCADA systems\nIndustrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, etc.)\nExperience with:\nMotion control, vision systems, robotics (preferred)\nSystem integration and commissioning\nUnderstanding of:\nCMMS systems\nReliability/TPM principles\nLeadership Competencies\nSystems thinker (understands end-to-end process flows)\nBias for action in high-pressure downtime situations\nStrong cross-functional influencer\nAbility to translate technical issues into business impact\nBuilds and develops technical talent pipelines\nSuccess Profile (What Good Looks Like)\nWithin 12 months, this leader:\nEstablishes stable, standardized control systems across all lines\nReduces automation-driven downtime by 25–40%\nImplements 24/7 automation support model\nFully integrates controls into:\nReliability strategy\nDaily performance management\nBuilds a high-performing controls + automation team\nReporting Structure\nReports to: Plant Engineering Manager\nDirect Reports:\nSr. Controls Engineers\nSCADA Engineer\nIndirect Influence:\nAutomation Technicians\nMaintenance Supervisors\nReliability Engineers\nWhy This Role Matters\nIn a plant of this size and automation level:\nThe Controls Engineering Manager is the single biggest lever for uptime, throughput, and operational stability.\nThis role directly determines whether the facility operates at:\nAverage performance (reactive, unstable), or\nTop-quartile performance (predictable, optimized, data-driven\n\nQualifications\n\nRequired Qualifications:\n8 + years in controls/automation engineering in manufacturing\n3 + years in leadership/management role\nExperience in high-speed, highly automated environments (food manufacturing preferred)\nPreffered Qualifications:\n12+ years in controls/automation engineering in manufacturing\n5+ years in leadership/management role\n\nAdditional Information\n\nThe pay range for this role is $140k - $155k (Annual). 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\nPHYSICAL DEMANDS\nThe 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.\nWhile 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.\nWORK ENVIRONMENT\nThe 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.\nEEO Statement:\nJack 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.\nJack 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/employees\nDisclaimer:\nThis 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.\nPay: $140,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year\nBenefits:\n401(k)\nDental insurance\nEmployee discount\nFlexible schedule\nHealth insurance\nLife insurance\nPaid time off\nReferral program\nRelocation assistance\nVision insurance\nWork Location: In person","datePosted":"2026-07-21T11:58:38.953Z","dateModified":"2026-07-21T11:58:38.953Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Jacklink","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Perry","addressRegion":"GA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"e4ee0633a25442ba8be11e33"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/e4ee0633a25442ba8be11e33"}}