From strengthening employee recruitment and retention to enhancing supply chain traceability and workplace safety, industry experts shared practical strategies for improving rendering operations, maintaining regulatory compliance and fostering a safer, more productive workforce at the 2026 USPOULTRY Poultry Protein & Fat Seminar in Nashville, Tenn.

Salam Safi, vice president of human resources at Darling Ingredients, discussed strategies for improving employee recruitment and retention in the rendering industry, emphasizing the importance of creating a workplace where employees feel valued and appreciated. She highlighted the need to simplify application processes and accelerate hiring decisions, noting that frontline candidates often remain available for fewer than 72 hours. Safi also stressed the importance of a structured onboarding experience, explaining that an employee’s first week can significantly influence long-term retention. Additionally, she outlined a collaborative workplace framework built on respectful, direct communication, active listening, mutual support and honoring commitments to strengthen employee relationships and foster a positive work environment.

As part of his discussion on Supply Chain Control and Ingredient Traceability, Austin Therrell, executive director of the Association of American Feed Control Officials, emphasized the need for robust supplier verification programs, risk-based audits, regular reviews of inspection results and food safety plans, and ongoing verification activities in ensuring animal food and pet food safety and regulatory compliance. He also highlighted the importance of ingredient transparency, noting that ingredients with similar names may differ in composition, manufacturing processes and sources. He stressed the need for accurate ingredient identification, adherence to regulatory definitions and thorough documentation to maintain product integrity and traceability throughout the supply chain, particularly for rendered protein ingredients.

Paul Schlumper, director of the Safety, Health and Environmental Program at Georgia Tech, examined common workplace hazards, regulatory compliance requirements and emerging technologies designed to improve safety in rendering facilities. He outlined key components of effective safety and health management systems, including employee training, proactive hazard identification, management engagement and continuous improvement. Schlumper also discussed human and organizational performance principles, emphasizing the need to recognize how human error contributes to workplace incidents and foster a safety culture focused on prevention, accountability and continuous learning.