Plant Manager - Hickson, ON

Darling International Canada Inc.•Hickson, ND

1d•CA$125,000 - CA$150,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

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
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
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

Benefits

$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