Rendering Area Manager

Mountaire Farms; Millsboro (DE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mountaire Farms is seeking a seasoned Operations Manager to oversee rendering operations, supervising superintendents and hourly teams to meet safety, quality, yield, and productivity targets. You will drive continuous improvement via data analytics and Lean/Six Sigma principles.

The role requires 5–7 years of supervisory experience, a background in poultry/rendering operations preferred, and strong financial analysis skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Agriculture, Operations Management, or Business.
• 5–7 years supervisory/management experience across multiple departments.
• Experience in poultry and/or rendering operations preferred.
• Proven financial analysis experience (e.g., Agristats) in an operations setting.
• Strong HACCP knowledge and FSMA regulatory understanding, including sanitation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with cross-functional teams including Maintenance, HR and Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical skills to drive performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations to meet production goals, yield targets and quality standards.
• Oversee staffing, scheduling and training to ensure coverage and skill development.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste and optimize labor and equipment use.
• Develop and manage integrated project plans for capital improvements and upgrades.
• Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure HACCP/FSMA compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication skills

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Agristats

Job description

Primary Purpose:

Oversears Rendering operations, managing superintendents, supervisors and/or hourly associates to ensure safety, quality, regulatory compliance, yield and productivity. Drives operational excellence across their applicable areas/functions through strategic leadership and cross-functional coordination.

Schedule:

6PM to 4AM Monday-Friday. Occasional weekends to cover absences.

Major Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Operational Execution & Performance Management - Lead daily operations to ensure production goals, yield targets and quality standards are consistently met. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze variances and implement corrective actions. Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA and company policies. Drive accountability through performance reviews and coaching of direct reports.
2. Workforce Planning & Cross-Departmental Coordination - Oversee staffing, scheduling and training to ensure adequate coverage and skill development. Foster collaboration to align goals and eliminate operational shortcomings. Partner with Human Resources and Safety to address employee relations, retention and compliance issues.
3. Process Improvement & Innovation - Identify and implement process improvements to enhance throughput, reduce waste and optimize labor and equipment utilization. Leverage data analytics and cross-functional collaboration to streamline workflows and reduce operational costs. Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.
4. Project & Resource Management - Develop and manage integrated project plans for capital improvements, equipment upgrades and operational changes. Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering and Supply Chain to ensure resource alignment. Track project budgets, timelines and deliverables to ensure successful execution.
5. Safety & Regulatory Compliance - Promote a proactive safety culture through training, audits and enforcement of safety protocols. Ensure adherence to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, FDA sanitation requirements and environmental regulations. Lead incident investigations and implement preventive measures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Operations Management, Business, etc., preferred.
• 5 - 7 years of demonstrated supervisory/management experience, including oversight of multiple departments.
• Experience in poultry and/or rendering operations strongly preferred; manufacturing management experience required if no poultry/rendering background.
• Must have proven experience with financial analysis in an operations setting (i.e., Agristats).
• Strong mechanical aptitude; able to troubleshoot operational and mechanical issues.
• In-depth knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations, including sanitation and pre-operational guidelines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey expectations and performance feedback clearly.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and alignment across departments and leadership levels.
• Collaborative mindset, able to work effectively with cross-functional teams including Maintenance, Human Resources and Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and drive performance improvements.
• Effective project management skills, capable of prioritizing and executing multiple initiatives.