Pet Food Processing - January 2025 - 60

OPERATIONS
Human hiring
Building and maintaining a solid workforce
depends on a retention plan which
considers pay and benefits, location, working
environment and work amenities, according
to Collins. Retention is also largely
dependent on a well-structured and comprehensive
onboarding program that will
ensure employees are integrated into the
company culture and understand their
roles and responsibilities, making them
well-prepared to perform their duties safely
and effectively, Niles said.
A comprehensive onboarding approach
includes structured training and skill development
programs, opportunities for
mentorship, and transparent career and
Many people
working in the pet
food industry find
inspiration knowing
they are helping to
feed and care for the
animals they love.
Jillian Meyer Photography
maintenance staff and plant floor workers with some
technology skills are two of the toughest to find, hire and
train, according to Dennis Collins, architectural discipline
lead, CRB Consulting, Kansas City, Mo.
Planning ahead
This is pushing some companies to start the familiarization
process early, working closely with local high
schools, trade schools and junior colleges to build relationships
with feeder programs and with individuals
possessing valuable skills and knowledge that could benefit
an organization. As the industry continues to grow
and adopt new technologies, existing workforce members
are going to need new skills, making upskilling a
growing industry trend.
Partnerships or investments with organizations that
can upskill/reskill existing employees or workforce sectors
can be crucial for maintaining a stable labor supply.
Additionally, upskilling the existing workforce can often
be a more strategic solution than trying to replace the
existing workforce with newly skilled members. Martin
encourages organizations to examine their current career
on-ramps and assess if they are meeting their needs using
existing pathways, or if creating new pathways might
leverage local workforce opportunities that they're missing.
The establishment of employee training programs
can also help identify next-generation leaders. This can
be in addition to working with local workforce development
initiatives to create internship or apprenticeship
opportunities to find employees in the community.
" Invest in the problem before it's a problem, " she continued.
" If you're trying to extract information from
employees as they're moving out the door, it's too late.
Instead, invest in employee education so that your existing
workforce is kept up to speed with changes in processes,
regulation, etc. "
60 PET FOOD PROCESSING | Jan-Feb 2025 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
promotion advancement opportunities. Leveraging
technology through digital training platforms and automated
scheduling systems can streamline operations
and enhance employee satisfaction.
" Cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace
culture is vital for employee satisfaction and retention, "
Niles continued. " Through the adoption of these best
practices, pet food and treat manufacturers can create a
more attractive and supportive environment, leading to
improved employee recruitment and retention. "
To be a strong steward for
the industry, you want to have
the right people for the job and
work to keep those people. "
Jamie Griffin, WorldBridge Partners
Acknowledging the human element of the work environment
can create significant influence on employee
satisfaction and retention, and the impact of a welldesigned
work environment should not be overlooked.
CRB has completed a number of greenfield designs for
clients where employee amenities and overall building
design appearance played a large role. Greenfield
plant projects can present a company's status and also
serve as a point of pride to both visitors and employees.
Likewise, brownfield projects serve as an opportunity to
revamp and update employee amenity spaces.
These spaces might feature the relocation or remodeling
of employee amenities such as breakrooms, toilets
and gowning areas. Other additions include public
spaces for reception and conference rooms, employee
workstations and private offices, foodservice amenities,
hygiene exchange areas for entry into food production
areas, and the use of skylights and solartubes,
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Pet Food Processing - January 2025

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