Ammonia Refrigeration Foreman

Tyson Foods; Zeeland (MI); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) plans

Education assistance

Health benefits

Job summary

Tyson Foods in Zeeland, MI is seeking an Ammonia Refrigeration Foreman to lead day-to-day operation, maintenance, and project coordination for the facility's ammonia systems. This role blends hands-on technical work with leadership in safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

You will supervise technicians, coordinate with operations and engineering, and ensure production stays on schedule.

Qualifications

• 5+ years industrial ammonia refrigeration experience.
• Familiar with compressor and pump rebuilds.
• IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration training preferred.
• EPA/OSHA/IIAR compliance experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain compressors and pumps.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and control faults.
• Plan ammonia pump-outs, evacuations, and commissioning tasks.
• Manage deliveries and containment and safety checks.
• Train technicians and mentor staff.
• Support PSM and IIAR compliance activities.

Skills

Ammonia refrigeration

Industrial maintenance

Root cause analysis

Safety leadership

Team communication

Education

High school diploma

Associates degree or equivalent

Refrigeration/Mechanical certification

Tools

SAP systems

Aerial lift

Forklift operation

Job description

## Ammonia Refrigeration ForemanApply: Zeeland Plant - Zeeland, Michigan: Full time: Posted Today: R0488155**Job Details:**\\*\\* Must submit a resume to be considered \\*\\*The Ammonia Refrigeration Foreman will lead day‐to‐day operation, maintenance, and project coordination for the facility’s ammonia refrigeration systems. This role will combine hands‐on technical work with leadership in safety, regulatory compliance (OSHA/EPA/IIAR), and continuous improvement. Communicate clearly with operations, engineering, contractors, and management to keep systems reliable and production on schedule.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities:*** **Operate and maintain** compressors, liquid pumps, purger rebuilds, valve stations, and associated controls to meet production needs. This may include shaft seal replacements, oiler and bearing housing rebuilds and servicing both Cornell CB and HT Style pumps.* **Diagnose and repair** mechanical, electrical, and control system faults using root‐cause troubleshooting. For example, diagnose and repair shaft seal replacements, motor alignments, rebuilds for Parker RS and Danfoss Ammonia Valve stations, transducer calibrations, slide valve calibrations, maintenance on Refrigerated Makeup Air Units etc.* **Plan and execute** ammonia pump‐outs, evacuations, and commissioning tasks; prepare job‐specific procedures and Piping & Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) redlines.* **Manage deliveries and containment**: receive ammonia shipments, oversee oil removal, and perform safety relief valve changes.* **Perform preventative maintenance** and complete accurate Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) entries for work orders, inspections, and parts usage.* **Train and mentor** technicians and utility staff; assign work and verify quality of repairs.* **Support Process Safety Management (PSM) and International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) compliance** by participating in SOP reviews, inspections, and regulatory audits.* **Maintain a proactive safety culture** by enforcing OSHA, EPA, IIAR, and company standards. Lead incident prevention through hazard recognition, permit control, and safe work procedures. Ensure all ammonia work follows documented risk controls and emergency response plans.* Perform other duties as assigned by supervision.**Pay:** Hourly wages up to **$56.00** an hour for those with preferred requirements. The 2nd shift also offers a **$1.00** shift premium. This senior-level position also includes an annual incentive bonus of up to **2%.****Schedule*** Currently, the largest need for experienced techs is on night shift.* Ability to work variable shifts, weekends, and/or holidays. + 1st shift: 5:00AM – 5:00pm; 2nd shift: 5:00PM – 5:00AM + Rotating 2‐2‐3 schedule**:** two days on, two days off, three days on, alternating weekly**Education:**High school diploma, Associates degree or equivalent certifications in Refrigeration/Mechanical field are preferred**Work Experience:**5+ years industrial ammonia refrigeration experience required, including familiarity with compressor and pump rebuilds, valve trains, and control logic. Prior experience in food manufacturing a plus.**Licensure, Registration and/or Certification:*** IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration training Preferred.* *RETA/CIRO/CRST – License Preferred or willing to achieve and maintain this license** EPA TYPE Universal License Preferred**Special Job Requirements:*** Willing and able to interpret schematics and blueprints during troubleshooting.* Proficient in the use of hand and power tools.* Willing and able to operate at high elevations* Willing and able to lift or move 75 pounds.* Willing and able to withstand changing environments.* Willing and able to operate an aerial lift and sit-down forklift.* Self‐motivated, organized, and able to prioritize under production pressures.* Willing and able to pass a physical and fit testing requirements for full face respirator use.**Collaboration/Communication:** Effective communicator with experience coordinating contractors and cross‐functional teams.**Computer:** Basic computer skills required including proficiency in Microsoft Office. Experience with SAP systems preferred.Work closely with engineering to support projects and with operations to align maintenance windows to production needs. Coach technicians to build internal capability and reduce contractor reliance. Identify opportunities for system optimization and present cost‐effective solutions.**Supervisory:** None**Travel:**Approximately one to two weeks travel per year for technical and safety training.All professional team members are expected to demonstrate responsible use of approved AI tools, including safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to company policies, and validating AI-generated outputs. Individual Contributors should demonstrate the ability to integrate AI into daily work, improve efficiency through AI-enabled solutions, evaluate outputs critically, and apply professional judgment when using AI. People Leaders should demonstrate the ability to drive responsible AI adoption, enable effective use of approved solutions, identify opportunities to improve team performance through AI, and ensure accountability for the quality and accuracy of AI-supported outcomes.**Relocation Assistance Eligible:**Yes**Work Shift:**ALL SHIFTS (United States of America)**Certain roles at Tyson require background checks. If you are offered a position that requires a background check you will be provided additional documentation to complete once an offer has been extended.**Hourly Applicants ONLY -You must complete the task after submitting your application to provide additional information to be considered for employment. The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status. We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more. **If you would like to learn more about your data privacy rights and how you may use that information, please read our Job Applicant Privacy Notice** **here****.** Unsolicited Assistance: Tyson Foods and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited support from external recruitment vendors for open positions within the United States. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee or applicant tracking system at Tyson Foods or its subsidiaries, without a valid written request and search agreement approved by HR, will be considered the property of Tyson Foods. No fees will be paid if the candidate is hired due to an unsolicited referral.### About UsOur team members make the difference. If you are ready to grow your career with an industry leader and want to positively impact the team and community around you, then join us in helping us in raising expectations. Join us on the journey.At Tyson, we feed the world like family. Our Talent Strategy is to Attract, Grow, Reward and Retain the best talent, and we believe that our Culture is the connecting thread that drives that strategy!We strive to be a talent magnet to establish a reputation for being a talent rich organization where team members can grow their career while growing the business.We are a high performing organization where team members are rewarded (Pay, Benefits and Recognition) for their contributions, and given the opportunity to support and/or volunteer with programs that help Tyson make a lasting social impact in the communities where we live and work.To learn more about our culture, please read Our Purpose.The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.Tyson Foods, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you are unable to apply for career opportunities through use of this site due to an impairment or disability, please contact [phone] for further assistance.**Benefits** We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more. Team members are eligible for these benefits starting day one of full-time employment (unless otherwise noted).**Education Assistance Program****Your Growth, Our Commitment**At Tyson Foods, your success drives ours. On day 31 of service, eligible team members can access education assistance through **Upward Academy Online (Guild)** — offering everything from English language learning and professional certificates to college degrees.Approved programs come with no upfront tuition or out-of-pocket costs(up to $5,250 per year), so you can build skills, earn credentials, and take your career further — while *we* invest in your future.**401(k) & Stock Purchase Plans** Prepare for your future in retirement with our 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan and Stock Purchase Plan. Our 401(k) plan offers both pre-tax and after-tax Roth contributions.Once you’ve completed a year of service with the company, Tyson will contribute to your retirement savings in the 401(k) Plan with a match equal to 100% of the first 3% of eligible pay you contribute, plus 50% of the next 2 percent of eligible pay you contribute.Also after one year, Tyson will match 25% of the first 10% of eligible pay you contribute to the Stock Purchase Plan. Your contributions and Tyson’s contributions to the plans are always 100% vested.