Production Manager

Darling International Canada; Moorefield; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food solutions company in Canada is looking for a Production Manager to oversee daily operations at the Moorefield facility. The successful candidate will lead a team, ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and drive continuous improvement in production efficiency. Candidates should have 2–5 years of managerial experience in manufacturing, strong leadership abilities, and an understanding of the regulatory environment. This role offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Participation in Annual Incentive Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Educational Assistance Programs

Scholarship Programs

Apprenticeship Programs

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of Manager experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in feed ingredient or food production is an asset.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support production team to meet health and safety, quality, efficiency targets.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies and food safety protocols.
• Develop and manage the production budget.

Skills

Leadership in Joint Health and Safety Committees

Coaching and mentoring skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Time management skills

Oral and written communication skills

Inclusive leadership and emotional intelligence

Education

Post-secondary education in Engineering, Agriculture, Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Darling Ingredients, a global leader in creating sustainable food, feed and fuel solutions from organic by‑products.

Our world is growing. Global population is increasing by tens of thousands every day, and the pressure on our planet's resources for food, feed and fuel is greater than ever. Our future – and that of our children – depends on our ability to find economically and ecologically viable ways to provide for a growing population's basic needs.

At Darling Ingredients, we contribute to that goal by creating sustainable food, feed and fuel ingredient solutions. We take the meat by‑products from our animal‑based diets and process them to reclaim valuable and essential bio‑nutrients, fats, oils, proteins, meals and more that are used daily in personal, commercial, and industrial products. Our natural and sustainable ingredients are marketed internationally to the pharmaceutical, food, animal feed, pet food, renewable fuel, fertilizer, sports nutrition and cosmetic industries.

JOB SUMMARY

The Production Manager is responsible for leading the daily production operations at the Moorefield facility, reporting directly to the Plant Manager. This role oversees a team of production supervisors and staff to ensure operational excellence in the areas of health and safety, product quality, production efficiency, environmental compliance, and employee engagement.

The successful candidate will be a people‑focused leader, committed to maintaining high safety standards while driving continuous improvement in a regulated manufacturing environment. Given the nature of our operations – where more water is recovered from raw material than finished product – understanding environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance is essential. This water is treated and discharged safely back into the natural watershed annually, requiring strict adherence to environmental and operational protocols.

The Production Manager is a key member of the Plant Leadership Team and works collaboratively with other department heads to support a unified and efficient operational strategy.

POSITION TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and support a team of 4 Supervisors, 1 Lead Hand, and 26 production employees to meet and exceed targets related to health and safety, quality, efficiency, and yield.
• Actively engage in all plant investigations, inspections, and audits.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and collaborative work environment across all levels of the business and with external stakeholders.
• Champion and enforce the plant's Health and Safety Program, promoting a proactive safety culture and leading initiatives related to safety improvements.
• Maintain accurate reporting and administration of all first aids, medical aids, and lost time incidents. Participate in accident investigations and support Return‑to‑Work (RTW) procedures.
• Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, CFIA, etc.
• Lead the ongoing development, maintenance, and compliance of the plant's HACCP Plan, GMPs, SOPs, and related quality systems, including collaboration with other departments.
• Organize and facilitate effective production team meetings.
• Develop and manage the production budget, including reporting on variances and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Participate in and/or lead labour relations activities, including grievance resolution, complaint handling, and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) management.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 2–5 years of Manager experience in a manufacturing environment; experience in feed ingredient or food production is an asset.
• Demonstrated leadership in Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC); working knowledge of Bill C‑45 and Bill 168 and related accountabilities.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and mentoring abilities with a focus on building high‑performing teams.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Strong understanding of inclusive leadership and emotional intelligence; people‑centric approach is highly valued.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with plant systems is required.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, 5S principles, and continuous improvement methodologies is an asset.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is preferred.
• Post‑secondary education in Engineering, Agriculture, Science, or a related field is an asset, though not mandatory.

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform essential job functions in compliance with AODA, ESA, OHSA, and other applicable standards.
• Comfortable working at heights, in confined spaces, and navigating stairs or ladders safely.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Capable of working in varying plant conditions, including exposure to raw material odors, fluctuating temperatures, and moderate to high noise levels.
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, or desk work (up to 2 hours at a time).
• Regular use of telephones, radios, and computers in both office and production environments.

WE OFFER

• Competitive Salary
• Participation in Annual Incentive Plan
• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan
• Educational Assistance Programs, Scholarship Programs, Apprenticeship Programs
• Global organization with sustainable growth and opportunities within the organization
• Work‑life balance, some flexibility with work hours, depending on the Plant Priorities

Darling Ingredients 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. Darling Ingredients is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Human Resources Coordinator responsible for this position will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. This document is available in alternate format on request.