Darling Ingredients is a global leader in providing natural and sustainable ingredients for the food, feed and fuel sectors. Conducting business as Darling International Canada Inc. in Canada, Darling operates six processing facilities across the country and is Canada's largest provider of rendering and recycling services to the food industry. Darling provides essential services to the food industry through the efficient and environmentally responsible management of collecting, processing and converting by-products into ingredients for the animal feed, pet food, aquaculture, fertilizer and biofuel industries. We are committed to environmental sustainability, superior quality and excellent customer service.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the VP of Plant Operations, as Plant Manager at our Hickson, Ontario facility, you'll lead a dedicated team, drive operational excellence, and be part of a company that reinvests in its people, infrastructure, and the communities we serve. You will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the Hickson plant, focusing on safety, compliance, performance, and people leadership. This is a high-impact role where you'll lead a multi-disciplinary team and drive high food safety, quality and operational standards.

WE OFFER:

• $125,000 - $150,000 annually, based on knowledge and experience.
• A leadership role in a company focused on sustainability and long-term success
• An opportunity to directly impact plant performance, team culture, and community relations
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Commitment to professional development and internal advancement
• A collaborative, safety-first work environment
• Benefits Plan, including Life Insurance, Disability and Health, Dental and Vision, Life Insurance and an Employee Assistance Program
• Educational Assistance Programs, Scholarship Programs and Apprenticeship Programs
• Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Plan
• Uniforms provided

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & People Development

• Lead and develop a 4-person leadership team and approximately 15 nonunionized hourly employees
• Coach, mentor, and support the leadership team in reaching their leadership potential
• Conduct performance reviews and create individualized development plans
• Foster a positive and respectful work environment with strong employee relations
• Model a hands‑on, roll‑up‑your‑sleeves leadership style, maintaining strong daily presence on the floor

Plant Operations & Compliance

• Own all day‑to‑day plant operations with a focus on safety, quality, efficiency, and reliability
• Ensure compliance with CFIA, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Environment, HACCP, and other applicable regulations
• Lead Health & Safety programs with a focus on hazard reduction and leading indicators in an effort to build a strong culture of safety
• Utlice Key performance Indicators and metrics to drive continuous improvement and process optization

Financial & Strategic Management

• Prepare, manage, and execute the plant's annual operating and capital budgets (capital budget ~$1–3M/year)
• Monitor and drive plant KPIs through dashboards and metrics to ensure performance targets are met
• Translate financial and operational data into actionable priorities for the leadership team
• Take full ownership of results-setting direction, solving problems, and driving performance

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment
• Demonstrated success managing both salaried and hourly teams
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance in a manufacturing or food-grade facility (HACCP, CFIA, etc.)
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to work with dashboards and KPIs
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to work under pressure
• Strong commitment to Darling's company values of Entrepreneurship, Integrity and Transparency

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• You will regularly move between office and plant environments, including stairs, tight spaces, and temperature fluctuations
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs and spend extended time standing or walking
• Plant environment includes exposure to high volumes of raw material odors and moderate to high noise levels
• Computer use is required in both office and production settings
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the AODA, ESA, OHSA and other federal, and provincial standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the AODA, ESA, OHSA and other federal, and provincial standards
• Position includes utilization of computer systems in the plant and office.

Darling International Canada Inc. is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities where our facilities are located. We actively seek qualified individuals with demonstrated skill and knowledge to deal with all aspects of diversity in a manufacturing environment. DICI is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with provincial accessibility legislation. The Human Resources Contact responsible for this position will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.

This job posting is for a current vacancy within our organization.

AI may be used to support certain administrative aspects of our recruitment process. However, applications and resumes are reviewed by qualified recruiters, and screening and hiring decisions are made solely by the hiring team.