Equipment Operator

Company Details

Darling Ingredients repurposes and recycles materials from the animal agriculture and food industries — transforming them into essential ingredients that do everything from feeding animals to fertilizing crops to fueling planes and nourishing people. We are the number one publicly traded company of our kind, operating a global family of brands and businesses that span more than 260 facilities in more than 15 countries.

Our unique scale allows us to make entire industries less wasteful and more sustainable, helping move the world toward a more circular economy.

Darling Ingredients offers full‑time employees a full suite of benefits including a 401(k), health, dental and vision insurance, and paid time off.

The Equipment Operator is responsible for operating PLC‑controlled process equipment, freezers, machinery, and evaluating any process problems, in addition to performing product quality testing.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Oversee assigned area of process, ensuring GMP compliance and a clean working environment.
• Maintain a steady flow of material through the process.
• Control material flow to finished goods storage.
• Monitor the PLC panel to accomplish process objectives.
• Perform periodic preventative maintenance for assigned equipment.
• Monitor machinery and report all problems to management.
• Ensure the equipment and work area are clean after each shift.
• Prioritize safety in accordance with all company safety rules and regulations.

• Monitor assigned equipment to achieve optimal production rates per hour. This includes:
  • Grinder rate (lbs./hour)
  • Beehive rate (lbs./hour)
  • Freezing rate (lbs./hour)
  • Palletizer rate (lbs./hour)
• Monitor blenders to optimize product transfer to freezers.
• Monitor freezing rate to maintain the ammonia system.
• Monitor freezers to achieve optimal finished‑product rates.
• Monitor palletizer to achieve optimal finished‑product rates.
• Monitor and operate wastewater control.

• Must be 18 years of age.

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum one (1) year prior experience in a rendering facility or production environment preferred.
• Knowledge of mechanical processes.
• Good mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting skills.
• Basic math skills: ability to compute decimals and percentages.
• Basic computer skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to address minor equipment problems and various situations.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends as needed.

Working environment:
Exposure to high noise levels, strong odors, heat and cold, bio‑hazard conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, electrical hazards, and potential hazards from equipment. Occasional travel to off‑site locations.

Physical demands:
Ability to remain stationary or walk within the facility, use hands and fingers for handling materials, stoop, kneel, or crawl to access equipment, climb or balance on ladders, communicate effectively, and use senses to detect hazards. Weight handling up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting of heavier loads.

Darling Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military service, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local law.