Operational Excellence (OPEX) Manager

Company DescriptionAt 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 DescriptionPosition SummaryThe Operations Excellence (OpEx) Manager is responsible for driving Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), continuous improvement, and operational performance across a 410,000 sq ft, highly automated USDA-regulated manufacturing facility with ~500 team members.

This role leads the implementation and sustainment of TPM pillars to improve OEE, reduce downtime, stabilize processes, and build frontline ownership of equipment. The OpEx Manager partners cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to deliver measurable improvements in throughput, cost, reliability, and food safety compliance.

Key ResponsibilitiesTPM System Leadership (Primary Ownership)Lead full-site deployment and maturity of TPM pillars:

Autonomous Maintenance (AM)Planned Maintenance (PM)Focused Improvement (FI / Kaizen)Early Equipment Management (EEM)Quality MaintenanceEstablish TPM governance structure, cadence, and accountability at all levelsDefine and advance TPM maturity roadmap (Levels 1-5 progression)Drive operator ownership of basic equipment care (clean, inspect, lubricate, tighten)Equipment Reliability & OEE ImprovementOwn and improve key asset performance metrics:

OEE (Availability, Performance, Quality)MTBF / MTTRPlanned vs. unplanned downtimePartner with Maintenance and Reliability teams to:

Strengthen PM/PdM practicesIdentify and eliminate chronic lossesEnsure TPM activities are aligned to highest-value bottlenecks (formulation, smokehouse, packaging, automation systems)Loss Elimination & Continuous ImprovementLead structured problem-solving using:

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)5 Why, Fishbone, ParetoFacilitate cross-functional Kaizen events focused on:

Downtime reductionChangeover optimizationYield improvementBuild and maintain loss trees to prioritize improvement focusAutonomous Maintenance (AM) DeploymentDevelop and roll out AM standards across all lines:

Center liningCleaning and inspection standardsAbnormality identification and taggingTrain operators to identify early signs of failureTransition basic maintenance tasks from maintenance to operators where appropriateAudit AM execution and effectivenessPlanned & Predictive Maintenance IntegrationPartner with Maintenance leadership to:

Improve PM compliance and qualityIncorporate predictive tools (vibration, thermal, etc.)Ensure maintenance strategies align with failure modes and production riskDrive reduction of reactive maintenance through improved planningChange Management & Capability BuildingTrain and coach:

Production supervisors and operators on TPM principlesMaintenance teams on reliability-centered practicesDevelop TPM champions within each departmentBuild a culture of ownership and accountability at the frontlinePerformance Management & Visual ManagementImplement plant-wide visual management systems:

Tiered accountability boardsDaily performance tracking (OEE, downtime, defects)Lead daily/weekly performance reviews tied to TPM metricsEstablish standard KPI tracking across lines and departmentsData, Analytics & Systems IntegrationLeverage CMMS, MES, and production data systems to:

Identify trends and lossesTrack improvement impactEnsure data accuracy and consistency across reporting platformsDevelop dashboards for leadership visibility into performance

USDA / GMP

/ Food Safety IntegrationEnsure all TPM and maintenance practices comply with:

USDA regulationsGMP standardsFood safety requirementsIntegrate sanitation and equipment care into TPM routinesSupport audit readiness and compliance effortsCross-Functional LeadershipAct as a key bridge between:

OperationsMaintenanceEngineeringQuality & Food SafetyAlign improvement initiatives with plant priorities and production goalsSupport capital projects with TPM and reliability inputQualificationsRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in engineering, Operations, or related field7+ years in manufacturing (food or high-speed automation preferred)3+ years leading TPM, Lean, or OpEx programsDemonstrated success improving OEE and reducing downtime at scaleStrong knowledge of:

TPM pillarsReliability principles (RCM, PM optimization)Lean methodologiesExperience with CMMS and production data systemsPreferred QualificationsExperience in USDA or highly regulated food manufacturingCertification in Lean, Six Sigma, or TPM (e.g., Black Belt, JIPM familiarity)Background in highly automated environments (robotics, packaging, continuous processes)Key CompetenciesSystems thinking (end-to-end operations)Change leadership in large workforce environmentsData-driven decision makingFrontline engagement and coachingBias for action and resultsStrong cross-functional influenceSuccess Metrics (KPIs)Reliability / EquipmentOEE improvement (+5-15 pts over baseline)Reduction in unplanned downtime (% and minutes)MTBF increase / MTTR reductionMaintenance EffectivenessPlanned maintenance compliance (>90-95%)Reduction in reactive maintenance %TPM DeploymentAM completion and audit scoresTPM pillar maturity progressionNumber and impact of Kaizen improvementsFinancial ImpactR&M cost optimizationProductivity gains (labor and throughput)Waste and yield improvementsReporting StructureReports to:

Plant ManagerDirect/Indirect:

CI Engineers, TPM Leads, cross-functional project teamsWhat Success Looks Like in This RoleTPM is embedded—not a program, but how the plant runsOperators own their equipment conditionDowntime is predictable, not reactiveImprovement efforts are prioritized and measurableThe facility achieves best-in-class reliability and throughputAdditional InformationThe pay range for this role is $150k- $170k (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

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/employees

Disclaimer:

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.