Maintenance Lead – Reliability & CI

Jack Link's Protein Snacks • Laurens, IA

6d • $34 - $38 • Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Lead – Reliability & CI supports daily manufacturing plant operations by ensuring production equipment is reliable, well-maintained, and performing at target efficiency. This role focuses on day-to-day troubleshooting, Preventive maintenance support, and process improvement initiatives that drive uptime, safety, and product quality. Working closely with Maintenance Technicians, Plant Operations, and Food Safety Quality, the Production Engineer provides technical expertise and daily hands-on maintenance support to sustain production and improve long-term equipment health. DIRECT REPORTS Individual contributor role: no direct reports

Requirements

• 2+ years of formal education in chemical, mechanical, electrical or similar fields or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of experience in maintenance or reliability engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of improving equipment performance and reducing downtime.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify and resolve complex process issues.
• Working knowledge of process safety, risk assessment and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Deep understanding of industrial mechanical and electrical control systems
• Advanced troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with predictive technologies (vibration, thermography, oil analysis).
• Knowledge of maintenance planning, CMMS utilization, and equipment life-cycle management.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

• Food or CPG manufacturing experience (meat processing a plus).
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Professional certification in process engineering or related areas.
• Experience with process automation and control systems.
• Knowledge of automation and control systems, such as SCADA and PLC.
• Knowledge of process simulation software and computer-aided design (CAD) tools.
• Solid understanding of quality management systems, such as ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Support Maintenance and Plant Operations (60%)
• As part of the maintenance team, support the plant operations team to diagnose and resolve equipment failures and performance issues.
• Provide technical support to maintenance personnel during troubleshooting and repair activities.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs to extend equipment life and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Develop and standardize maintenance procedures and technical documentation for key equipment.
• Analyze downtime and reliability data to identify recurring issues and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implement solutions to prevent reoccurrence.
• Participate in daily maintenance and production meetings to align priorities and resources.
• When needed, lead and/or support production equipment setups, changeovers, and cleaning.
• Support site maintenance as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Equipment and Process Improvement (25%)
• Evaluate maintenance and operational practices for efficiency and cost reduction opportunities.
• Work with Maintenance Technicians and operators to improve changeovers, cleaning procedures, and setups.
• Assist in training maintenance and plant operations personnel on equipment functionality and best practices.
• Recommend upgrades or modifications to improve maintainability and performance.
• Lead or support improvement projects to enhance reliability, throughput, and product consistency.
• Project and Capital Support (15%)
• Support capital and reliability projects related to equipment replacement, rebuilds, and upgrades.
• Participate in project scoping, design, installation, and start-up commissioning.
• Ensure all project activities meet food safety, safety, and environmental standards.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees