Operations Manager - Packaging

Company 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®, 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 Description

The Operations Manager – Packaging is responsible for leading all packaging operations within a USDA‑regulated consumer‑goods manufacturing facility. This role oversees daily packaging processes, equipment performance, labor deployment, and workflow execution across all shifts. The Operations Manager ensures packaging lines meet safety, food safety, regulatory, quality, and production performance standards while driving efficiency, throughput, and continuous improvement.

Direct Reports

• Packaging Supervisors

This is a full-time position operating on a Monday–Thursday schedule, with typical working hours of 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM or 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Candidates must be able to meet this schedule.

Core Responsibilities

Packaging Operations Leadership

• Lead all packaging lines, teams, and daily operations to achieve production plans and customer order fulfillment.
• Manage line scheduling, labor planning, changeovers, and material flow to maximize uptime.
• Maintain line performance standards including throughput, yield, scrap, quality defects, and downtime.

Process Control & Packaging Performance

• Own execution of packaging SOPs, process control points, and standard work.
• Monitor key metrics such as OEE, takt time, labor efficiency, and packaging accuracy.
• Drive immediate corrective actions when line performance falls below target.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement changes to improve workflow, staffing, or line configuration.

USDA, HACCP & Food Safety Compliance

• Ensure packaging operations comply with all USDA‑FSIS regulations, GMPs, SSOPs, and HACCP requirements.
• Ensure packaging materials, labels, and finished‑goods handling meet regulatory and traceability standards.
• Support USDA inspections, pre‑op/post‑op findings, NRs, and corrective actions.
• Partner with QA to ensure packaging quality, seal integrity, label accuracy, and product identity preservation.

Equipment, Line Reliability & Changeovers

• Partner with Maintenance to maintain packaging equipment uptime, PM schedules, and troubleshooting processes.
• Lead SMED/changeover reduction efforts to increase line availability.
• Support new equipment integration, upgrades, and automation initiatives.
• Ensure proper machine setup, operator training, and verification before start‑up.

Standardization & Systems Management

• Maintain packaging SOPs, line‑side visual controls, training guides, and material handling standards.
• Ensure ERP accuracy for packaging yields, material movements, and batch reporting.
• Lead daily tier meetings, shift handoffs, and root‑cause problem-solving discussions.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Execution

• Lead CI initiatives focused on waste reduction, productivity improvement, and cost savings.
• Apply 5S, Kaizen, root‑cause analysis, and visual management tools to drive operational discipline.
• Conduct process audits to verify sustainability of improvements and compliance to standards.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, QA, Sanitation, Supply Chain, and Maintenance to ensure uninterrupted packaging operations.
• Communicate performance, constraints, material risks, and operational priorities to leadership.
• Support new product launches, packaging material changes, and trial runs.
• Handle other projects, duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Food Science, Business, or related field (preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in consumer goods or food packaging; USDA experience strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing or packaging environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of USDA, HACCP, GMP, and food safety requirements.
• Expertise in packaging line operations, materials, and equipment.
• Strong data‑driven decision‑making abilities with ability to interpret KPIs.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
• Proficiency with ERP/MES and production reporting systems.
• Strong communication, leadership, and team‑development skills.

This is a full-time position operating on a Monday–Thursday schedule, with typical working hours of 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM or 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Candidates must be able to meet this schedule.

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 employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

Additional Information

The salary range for this role is $110,000- $130,000 (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:
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.

E-VERIFY:
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

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