Talent & Acquisitions Manager: Req # 3832 at Denali Water Solutions LLC – Russellville, Arkansas

About Company:

Denali is the leading organic recycling company on a mission to unlock the power of unused food and organics, transforming them into resources to feed, fuel and replenish the earth. Our work is essential to keeping water clean, reducing the need for new landfill capacity, building soil fertility, helping farmers be more resilient, and reducing society’s reliance on fossil fuels. Denali provides meaningful and measurable change for any business that handles food, creating value with our scalable solutions across the nation. Our services and products touch thousands of acres and businesses, millions of tons of organic material, and nearly every person who purchases and consumes food in the U.S. Apply to join our team today!

Russellville, AR (Corporate Office)

Full - Time / Salaried

Company Overview

At Denali Water Solutions, we don’t just recruit talent — we cultivate it. We are a nationwide leader in sustainable solutions, transforming organic materials into products that restore the environment and support agriculture. Our success depends on the people we hire, develop, and retain. As part of our mission, we seek team members who are passionate about growth, innovation, and making a positive impact.

Position Summary

The Talent Acquisition Manager at Denali Water Solutions is responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day performance of the recruiting and onboarding team, developing and executing talent acquisition strategies, and ensuring that the full recruiting lifecycle — from proactive sourcing through onboarding handoff — operates efficiently, compliantly, and at a high standard of quality.

This is a management role, not an individual contributor role. The TAM is accountable not only for their own work but for the output, conduct, and compliance of every member of the team. Strong operational oversight, honest upward communication, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to develop and hold accountable direct reports are non-negotiable requirements of this position.

Essential Functions

Team Leadership and Performance Management

• Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings with each direct report (Recruiting Partner and Onboarding Specialists) to review workload, progress, and performance.
• Monitor and audit team compliance with all defined processes, including phone screening completion, ADP/ATS documentation timeliness, and pre-employment process management.
• Identify performance gaps in direct reports promptly and address them directly — including documenting performance concerns and escalating to VP, HR when formal action is warranted.
• Develop direct reports through coaching, clear feedback, and connection to learning resources.
• Hold team members accountable to their job descriptions. Do not absorb work that belongs to a direct report as a substitute for addressing their performance.
• Model the communication and accountability standards expected of the team.

Strategy Development and Execution

• Design and implement talent acquisition strategies aligned with Denali's business objectives, operational growth, and workforce planning needs.
• Partner with VP, HR and EVPs on workforce planning, headcount forecasting, and recruiting budget management.
• Identify and develop sourcing channels — including job boards, trade organizations, workforce development partnerships, and social media — appropriate for Denali's operational roles and geographic markets.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of recruiting strategies and make evidence-based adjustments.

Recruiting Oversight and Quality Control

• Ensure every open requisition has an active, documented recruiting plan.
• Audit ATS/ADP records weekly to confirm team documentation is complete, current, and accurate.
• Review all candidate pipelines regularly and proactively identify searches that are stalled, thin, or at risk of missing hiring timelines.
• Ensure no candidate is advanced to a hiring manager without a completed phone screen and documented notes — and hold the Recruiting Partner accountable when this standard is not met.
• Ensure reference checks are completed on all final candidates and documented appropriately.

Hiring Manager Partnership

• Attend weekly regional Ops meetings to provide updates.
• Conduct intake meetings with hiring managers at the start of every search to define requirements, timeline, compensation parameters, and communication expectations. OPS and SS levels 5-6 and others, as needed to assist Recruiting Partner.
• Provide hiring managers with regular, honest updates on recruiting progress — including when timelines are at risk or pipelines are not producing qualified candidates.
• Respond to hiring manager questions and requests within one business day.
• Debrief with hiring managers post-interview and document feedback in the ATS.

Data, Reporting, and Budget Management

• Track and report the following metrics to VP, HR on a defined cadence (minimum monthly): time-to-fill by department, screen-to-interview conversion rate, offer acceptance rate, requisition age, source of hire.
• Use recruiting data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement — and present findings and recommendations to VP, HR proactively.
• Manage recruiting-related budget line items (job board subscriptions, agency fees, advertising spend), track against budget, and flag variances to VP, HR in advance.

Communication and Escalation

• Provide VP, HR with a written weekly team status report covering all active requisitions, team performance issues, and any operational risks.
• Escalate team performance issues to VP, HR promptly — do not manage around them or allow them to persist without documentation.
• Communicate honestly about team capacity, process gaps, and recruiting challenges. Optimistic reporting that obscures operational reality is not acceptable.

Employer Brand and Candidate Experience

• Ensure every candidate — regardless of outcome — receives a professional, timely, and respectful experience throughout the recruiting process.
• Monitor candidate feedback and identify opportunities to improve the hiring process.

Competencies

• Accountable Leader: Owns team outcomes. Does not deflect responsibility to direct reports or external factors. Addresses performance issues directly and promptly.
• Direct Communicator: Provides honest, accurate reporting to VP, HR. Does not soften difficult information to avoid uncomfortable conversations.
• Operationally Disciplined: Runs a structured, compliant recruiting operation. Audits team work regularly and does not assume compliance — verifies it.
• Data-Informed: Tracks metrics, understands what they indicate, and uses them to make and defend decisions.
• Developer of People: Coaches direct reports, gives clear and specific feedback, and builds team capability over time.
• Strategically Aware: Understands Denali's operational environment and workforce dynamics and translates that understanding into effective recruiting strategy.

Required Preferred Education and Experience

• Minimum 5 years of recent, relevant talent acquisition experience; experience leading a recruiting team strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing direct reports, including performance management.
• Recent experience (past 3 years) with HRIS/ATS systems, including ADP.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, HR, or related field preferred; relevant experience may be substituted.

Why Join Denali

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Supportive, team-oriented culture that values innovation and collaboration.
• Be part of a company making a real difference for the planet and our communities.

What We Offer

• Mission-driven work in a rapidly growing sustainability company
• Opportunities for professional growth and learning
• Collaborative, values-driven team culture
• Competitive salary and benefits

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Why You’ll Love Working at Denali- Benefits & Perks

At Denali, the work we do begins and ends with you – our employees. That's why we strive to ELEVATE you to be your best, both at work and at home. Our benefits aren’t just about compensation; they’re part of a broader commitment to helping you thrive in all aspects of life. Here’s how we live out our values every day:

• E – Employee: At Denali, we believe in offering competitive compensation packages that include not only great benefits but also a strong focus on safety, flexibility, and rewards and recognition. You are the backbone of our success, and we make sure you’re valued every step of the way.
• L – Learning: We’re committed to your growth and development. Our Ascend Employee Development Program and access to over 6,000 professional courses via our Learning Management System empower you to climb higher in your career – all at no cost to you.
• E – Environment: Our employees deserve a clean Earth. We’re dedicated to doing our part in keeping waste out of landfills, so you can be proud of the work we do together to make a positive environmental impact.
• V – Valued: At Denali, we take pride in creating a culture of care. With resources that support your well-being, volunteerism opportunities, and a commitment to safe working conditions and inclusivity, you’ll always feel like you belong here.
• A – Advancement: We believe in succession planning and providing opportunities for advancement. We want you to grow, and we’ll be right there with you, supporting your career every step of the way.
• T – Together: We’re stronger when we work together. At Denali, you’ll have opportunities to give and receive support not just within the workplace, but within our broader community. Our team is united, and we celebrate the value of working and succeeding as one.
• E – Employees: You are the heart of Denali. We believe our employees deserve the very best. This is why we offer an array of benefits that support your overall well-being, from health coverage to work-life balance, because when you succeed, we all succeed.

Our Benefits Package Includes:

• Comprehensive Medical: Our self-insured medical plans are designed with your health in mind, offering competitive options including copay and HSA plans so you can choose what best suit your health needs.
• Dental & Vision: Keep your smile bright and your vision clear with full coverage for you and your family.
• Generous 401(k) Match: We’re here for your long-term future – we offer a generous 401(k) match of up to 4%, helping you build the foundation for tomorrow.
• Company-Paid Disability & Life Insurance: We’ve got you covered with company-paid Long-Term and Short-Term Disability, as well as AD&D and Life Insurance, giving you peace of mind knowing you’re protected.
• Voluntary Life for Employees & Family: Customize additional coverage for you and your loved ones with our voluntary life insurance options.
• Health Savings Plan: Save on medical expenses with a Health Savings Plan designed for your needs.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Sick Time: We value your well-being. Take time for yourself, your family, and personal matters with generous PTO and Sick Time, including family leave.
• 9 Paid Holidays: Enjoy a well-rounded work-life balance with 9 paid holidays throughout the year.
• Paid Weekly: We believe in rewarding hard work consistently, which is why we offer weekly pay so you can stay on top of your financial goals.
• Professional Development: Ascend in your career with free access to thousands of courses that allow you to grow and develop professionally.
• Employee Assistance Program: Life can be challenging at times, and we’re here to support you with our confidential Employee Assistance Program that offers counseling and resources for a variety of personal and professional needs.
• Wellness Program: At Denali, we believe that well-being goes beyond health coverage. Our Wellness Program offers resources to keep you mentally, physically, and emotionally balanced as you climb higher in both life and career.

We want you to feel valued, supported, and equipped for success – because when you thrive, we all thrive. So, come for the benefits. Stay for the culture. We can’t wait to see you reach new heights with us at Denali.

Apply to join our team today!

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities for all employees. Accordingly, the Company will not engage in any form of employment discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. The Company hereby affirms its desire to maintain a work environment for all employees that is free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination.