Ammonia Refrigeration Supervisor - Liberty Plant

Farmer Focus; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Education reimbursement

Paid time off

Career growth programs

Job summary

Farmer Focus is seeking a Refrigeration Supervisor to lead technicians and ensure reliable operation of ammonia refrigeration systems. You will manage daily maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and maintain safety and compliance standards across facilities.

The role requires strong technical knowledge of industrial refrigeration, hands-on leadership, and the ability to coordinate schedules, parts, and training to keep production running smoothly in an on-site environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of industrial refrigeration experience, ideally with ammonia systems.
• Strong knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems, cycles, and components.
• Familiarity with PSM/RMP and safety requirements.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing industrial refrigeration equipment.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop refrigeration personnel.
• Strong communication, documentation, and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership, direction, and supervision to Refrigeration Technicians.
• Coordinate and prioritize daily work, preventive maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting.
• Oversee safe operation, maintenance, and repair of ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Assist with diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and operational issues.
• Monitor compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, and controls.
• Ensure maintenance records and logs are accurate and up-to-date.
• Support compliance with PSM/RMP and OSHA requirements.
• Coach and train technicians; manage time and attendance.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Industrial refrigeration

PSM/RMP compliance

Troubleshooting

Ammonia systems

Electrical knowledge

Communication skills

Safety procedures

Documentation

Education

High school diploma

Tools

CMMS

P&IDs

Electrical schematics

Blueprints

Technical manuals

Job description

Refrigeration Supervisor Job Description

Job Title: Refrigeration Supervisor
Department: Maintenance
Reports To: Refrigeration Superintendent
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Liberty
Work Arrangement: On-site
Shift / Schedule: 1st Shift
Travel Requirements: Minimal travel between Farmer Focus facilities as needed
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Overview / Purpose and Scope

The Refrigeration Supervisor is responsible for providing hands‑on leadership, direction, and support to Refrigeration Technicians to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Farmer Focus refrigeration systems and related equipment. This role oversees daily refrigeration maintenance activities, coordinates work assignments, assists with troubleshooting and repairs, and ensures all work is performed in accordance with company safety standards, operating procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.The Refrigeration Supervisor serves as a key link between Refrigeration Technicians and the Refrigeration Superintendent, supporting effective communication, team member development, equipment reliability, and operational continuity. This position requires a strong technical understanding of industrial refrigeration systems, a safety‑first mindset, and the ability to lead team members while remaining actively involved in daily maintenance operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership, direction, and supervision to Refrigeration Technicians within assigned areas and shifts.

• Coordinate and prioritize daily work assignments, preventive maintenance activities, repairs, and troubleshooting efforts to support safe and efficient plant operations.

• Oversee the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of ammonia refrigeration systems and associated refrigeration equipment.

• Assist Refrigeration Technicians with diagnosing and resolving mechanical, electrical, and operational issues involving refrigeration systems and related equipment.

• Monitor the operation and performance of compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, controls, and other refrigeration system components.

• Identify and communicate equipment concerns, unusual operating conditions, potential failures, and safety hazards to the Refrigeration Superintendent.

• Ensure preventive maintenance activities, repairs, inspections, and work orders are completed accurately, safely, and in a timely manner.

• Monitor and verify that required operational logs, maintenance records, and other documentation are completed accurately.

• Support compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM), Risk Management Program (RMP), OSHA requirements, and applicable company safety policies and procedures.

• Reinforce safe work practices, including Lockout/Tagout, personal protective equipment requirements, and established refrigeration safety procedures.

• Assist with maintaining and following standard operating procedures, preventive maintenance procedures, and other technical documentation.

• Participate in refrigeration system inspections, equipment evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Communicate daily equipment status, maintenance activities, outstanding issues, and operational concerns to the Refrigeration Superintendent and other appropriate personnel.

• Coordinate with Maintenance, Production, Safety, and other departments to address operational needs and minimize equipment downtime.

• Provide technical guidance, hands‑on training, and coaching to Refrigeration Technicians to support skill development and consistent work practices.

• Monitor team member performance, provide constructive feedback, and communicate development or performance concerns to the Refrigeration Superintendent.

• Assist with training new Refrigeration Technicians on equipment operation, maintenance procedures, safety requirements, and department expectations.

• Support employee accountability by reinforcing attendance, productivity, safety, and performance expectations.

• Assist with scheduling, work coverage, and the allocation of personnel and resources to meet departmental needs.

• Manage team member time and attendance records and review and process paid time off (PTO) requests.

• Identify required replacement parts, tools, supplies, and equipment and communicate purchasing needs to the appropriate personnel.

• Support refrigeration system reliability through preventive maintenance, timely troubleshooting, and identification of recurring equipment issues.

• Participate in required safety training, emergency response activities, and applicable PSM/RMP programs.

• Maintain clean, organized, and safe refrigeration work areas.

• Promote a positive work environment that encourages teamwork, communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Compensation

Compensation Range : $95,000 – $105,000

Benefits

Farmer Focus offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support team members’ health, financial well‑being, and professional growth. Available offerings may include weekly payroll, paid time off and sick leave, semi‑subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision plan options, a 401(k) plan with company match up to 4%, education reimbursement opportunities, employee assistance programs, and internal learning, development, and career growth programs.

All benefits, programs, and offerings are subject to eligibility requirements, plan terms, and company policies, and may be changed, amended, or discontinued by Farmer Focus at any time.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• 3 or more years of industrial refrigeration experience, preferably involving ammonia refrigeration systems.

• Strong working knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems, refrigeration cycles, and associated mechanical and electrical components.

• Knowledge of refrigeration equipment, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, and control systems.

• Understanding of Process Safety Management (PSM), Risk Management Program (RMP), and applicable industrial refrigeration safety requirements.

• Experience troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing industrial refrigeration equipment.

• Ability to provide technical direction, coaching, and support to refrigeration personnel.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

• Ability to prioritize work assignments, coordinate maintenance activities, and respond effectively to changing operational needs.

• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, electrical schematics, blueprints, P&IDs, and other equipment documentation.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with technicians, maintenance leadership, and other departments.

• Ability to accurately maintain operational logs, maintenance records, work orders, and other required documentation.

• Knowledge of safe maintenance practices, including Lockout/Tagout and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional overtime and weekends as operational needs require.

• Regular and reliable attendance.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in a Lead, Supervisor, or other leadership role within industrial refrigeration or maintenance.

• 5 or more years of industrial refrigeration experience.

• Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator (CARO) certification.

• Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator (CIRO) certification.

• Completion of Ammonia Technician Operator Level 1 and Level 2 training.

• Experience working in poultry processing, food processing, manufacturing, or other industrial production environments.

• Experience training, mentoring, and developing refrigeration technicians.

• Experience with preventive maintenance programs, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and equipment reliability initiatives.

• Experience supporting PSM/RMP compliance activities, inspections, audits, and safety programs.

• Knowledge of high‑pressure steam boilers, compressed air systems, HVAC, and associated utility equipment.

• Familiarity with continuous improvement principles and maintenance reliability practices.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, French, or another language.

• Willingness to work within the framework of the Farmer Focus CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship.

New team members must be able to pass a drug, alcohol, and background screening post‑offer and prior to the start of their employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work.

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel

Work is conducted primarily in a manufacturing and poultry production environment. This role requires regular access to refrigeration equipment rooms, maintenance areas, production facilities, and outdoor equipment locations. The team member must be able to tolerate varying heat, wet, and chill conditions within the plant.

This role may involve exposure to industrial refrigeration equipment, ammonia refrigeration systems, elevated noise levels, chemicals, and other conditions associated with poultry processing and industrial maintenance operations.

This role requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing stairs and ladders, and accessing equipment in mechanical areas and elevated locations. The team member must possess the fine hand and finger dexterity necessary to use tools, testing equipment, and mechanical components. GMP and safety PPE are required while inside the plant. The position may require use of respiratory protection and participation in emergency response activities, subject to applicable training, qualification, and safety requirements. This role may require work outside in varying seasonal weather conditions and occasional travel between Farmer Focus facilities to support refrigeration operations, equipment maintenance, and departmental needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position does not have an application deadline. Farmer Focus will recruit until the role is filled.

About Farmer Focus

Farmer Focus exists to promote and protect generational family farms by shifting farm‑level decision‑making and chicken ownership back to farmers and empowering them to farm the way they know is best. We are committed to producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is grounded in servant leadership and guided by our CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. Our top priorities are people, safety, and quality. At Farmer Focus, our vision is to disrupt the status quo by creating bold opportunities for people who demand more and deserve better.

Farmer Focus is committed to equal employment opportunities and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. We are dedicated to maintaining a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and free from harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

EOE, including disability/vets.