Equipment Operator

Darling Ingredients repurposes and recycles materials from the animal agriculture and food industries—transforming them into essential ingredients that feed animals, fertilize crops, fuel planes, and nourish people. As the largest publicly traded company of its kind, we operate over 260 facilities across more than 15 countries, driving sustainability and a circular economy at global scale.

About the role

The Equipment Operator operates PLC-controlled process equipment, freezers, and machinery while monitoring product quality and troubleshooting process issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee assigned process area, ensuring compliance with GMPs and maintaining a clean workspace.
• Maintain steady material flow through the process to finished-goods storage.
• Monitor and control the PLC panel to execute the process.
• Perform periodic preventive maintenance on assigned equipment.
• Report any machinery problems to management.
• Ensure equipment and work area are clean at the end of each shift.
• Prioritize safety in accordance with company safety rules and regulations.
• Monitor and optimize equipment rates, including:
  • Grinder (lbs./hour)
  • Beehive (lbs./hour)
  • Freezing (lbs./hour)
  • Palletizer (lbs./hour)
• Optimize blender output to freezers.
• Maintain ammonia system by monitoring freezing rates.
• Monitor freezers to achieve optimum finished-product rates.
• Operate and monitor the palletizer for maximum throughput.
• Operate wastewater controls.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• One year of experience in a rendering facility or production environment preferred.
• Knowledge of mechanical processes and equipment troubleshooting.
• Good mechanical aptitude and safe equipment operation skills.
• Basic math skills, including decimals and percentages.
• Basic computer skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to address minor equipment or situational issues.
• Willingness to work nights and/or weekends as needed.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off.

Schedule

Monday to Thursday, 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Working Conditions

• Constant exposure to unpleasant physical environments, including high noise levels, strong odors, heat, and cold.
• Occasional exposure to biohazardous conditions.
• Occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals requiring safety precautions.
• Occasional exposure to electrical hazards and risk of electrical shock.
• Occasional handling of potentially dangerous equipment.
• Occasional travel to offsite locations.

Physical Demands

• Constant standing and walking.
• Constant use of hands to finger, handle, or feel equipment.
• Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling to maintain equipment.
• Frequent climbing or balancing on ladders.
• Constant use of senses (talking, hearing, tasting, smelling) to communicate and detect hazards.
• Frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional lifting of up to 100 pounds.
• Required vision abilities include color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.