Hatchery Worker - Separator

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.; New Hamburg; On-site; CAD 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits after 3 months of emp.

4-day work week

On-the-job training

Safety shoe reimbursement

Job summary

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. in New Hamburg is seeking a hands-on Separator to join the hatchery team. You will help ensure newly hatched chicks are safely separated from hatch debris and handled according to our high standards for animal welfare, food safety, biosecurity, and quality.

The role offers a 4-day regular schedule with an early start at 5:00 a.m., competitive hourly pay ($21.40–$22.40), and health benefits after 3 months. Training is provided, and no formal education is required.

Qualifications

• No formal education is required; training is provided.
• Ability to work from 5:00 a.m. until daily production tasks are completed.
• Comfortable working with live animals and handling duties as described.

Responsibilities

• Safely move chick baskets from hatchers to the separator using appropriate equipment.
• Set up and operate the separator equipment.
• Monitor chick condition and report concerns to the Supervisor.
• Perform regular visual checks to ensure live chicks are identified and handled properly.
• Support manual chick handling when needed due to production volume or equipment issues.
• Follow procedures for disposing of egg waste and hatch debris.
• Accurately document chick cull numbers.
• Follow Maple Leaf Foods AgOps biosecurity, hygiene, safety, and animal welfare requirements.
• Perform humane euthanasia of embryos or chicks when required, including macerator operation.

Skills

Attention to detail

Safety-focused

Physical stamina

Job description

About Us:
We’re a carbon-neutral food company on a mission to Raise the Good in Food—through better nutrition, safer workplaces, humane animal care, and sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We also work to reduce food insecurity in Canada. Join us and help build a better future.
We embrace a strong, values-based culture
Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

Looking for a hands-on role with a 4-day work week and an early start that gets your workday moving?

Join our Maple Leaf Foods New Hamburg Hatchery, conveniently located approximately 15 minutes from Kitchener.

As a Separator, you’ll be an important part of our hatchery team, helping ensure newly hatched chicks are safely separated from hatch debris and handled according to our high standards for animal welfare, food safety, biosecurity, and quality.

What you need to know:

• Hourly Rate: $21.40 – $22.40, based on progression
• Shift: 5:00 a.m. to finish
• Location: New Hamburg, approximately 15 minutes from Kitchener
• Health benefits after 3 months of employment

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

In this hands-on role, you will:

• Safely move chick baskets from the hatchers to the separator using appropriate equipment, including a Power Tug.
• Set up and operate the separator equipment.
• Monitor chick condition and report concerns to the Supervisor.
• Perform regular visual checks to ensure live chicks are identified and handled appropriately.
• Support manual chick handling when required due to production volumes or equipment issues.
• Follow established procedures for disposing of egg waste and hatch debris.
• Accurately document chick cull numbers.
• Follow Maple Leaf Foods AgOps biosecurity, hygiene, safety, and animal welfare requirements.
• Perform humane euthanasia of embryos or chicks when required, including the operation of the macerator.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring:

We’re looking for someone who is dependable, safety-focused and comfortable working in a hands-on hatchery environment.

You’ll be successful in this role if you:

• Have strong attention to detail and can follow established procedures.
• Are comfortable working with live chicks and performing all required animal-welfare responsibilities, including humane euthanasia.
• Can work from 5:00 a.m. until daily production tasks are completed.
• Can stand for extended periods and repetitively lift up to 40 lbs.
• Are comfortable working around noise, humidity, wet surfaces and strong odours.
• Can follow SOPs, production schedules, health and safety requirements, and biosecurity protocols.
• Can meet applicable PCP, WHMIS and CFIA requirements.
• Are ready to learn. No formal education is required, and training is provided.

Additional Information

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

Joining our team means more than just a paycheque. You’ll have access to:

• Competitive hourly pay with progression from $21.40 to $22.40
• Health benefits after 3 months of employment
• Mental Health and Employee Assistance Program
• $125 annual safety shoe reimbursement after 3 months of employment
• On-the-job training
• A 4-day regular work schedule, with Wednesdays and weekends not part of the standard schedule

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of our recruitment process. AI does not make hiring decisions; all decisions are made by human reviewers.

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at [e-mail] Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.