Industrial Refrigeration Technician

Lactalis Heritage Dairy Inc; Porterville (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Lactalis Heritage Dairy Inc in Porterville, CA is seeking an Ammonia Refrigeration Technician to service and maintain ammonia refrigeration systems and components, ensuring safe operation and compliance with PSM and EPA rules. Reporting to the Utilities Manager, preferred candidates have 3 years of hands-on maintenance experience.

Responsibilities include maintaining HVAC and related systems, troubleshooting electrical devices, and upholding QRMP standards; PLC experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Must work in a safe, sanitary and productive manner per LHD GMPs.
• Understanding of Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration systems.
• At least 3 years of industrial maintenance experience.
• Strong electrical & mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints or other engineering drawings.
• Ability to read P&IDs, ladder logic and wiring schematics.
• Possess a strong personal safety philosophy and follow safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Follow ammonia refrigeration procedures to safely service and maintain equipment; assist with PSM and EPA compliance.
• Pump out, disassemble, repair, and reassemble refrigeration equipment; troubleshoot ammonia compressors.
• Maintain air compressors, boilers, generators, HVAC, and water chilling systems; report leaks; perform daily PMs and tests.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical devices; PLC experience is a plus.
• Use volt/amp meters to diagnose electrical malfunctions on equipment.
• Uphold QRMP standards as outlined in the plant documentation.

Skills

Ammonia refrigeration

Industrial maintenance

Electrical & mechanical aptitude

PSM compliance

Safety adherence

Job description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™ Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Reporting to the Utilities Manager, this position’s main responsibility is following the ammonia refrigeration operational procedures to safely service and maintain all ammonia refrigeration equipment and components. Assist in maintaining the Process Safety Management (PSM) documentation and ensure compliance with all regulations within the scope of Process Safety Management (PSM) and EPA requirements (RMP).

Preferred candidates have three years of hands‑on experience with Ammonia Utility/Refrigeration equipment maintenance

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Be able to follow ammonia refrigeration operational procedures to safely service and maintain all ammonia refrigeration equipment and components. Assist in maintaining the Process Safety Management (PSM) documentation and ensure compliance with all regulations within the scope of Process Safety Management (PSM) and EPA requirements (RMP)
• Be able to pump out, disassemble, repair, and reassemble all types of refrigeration equipment while adhering to all mandated safety procedures Troubleshoot and repair ammonia compressors.
• Be able to be responsible for air compressors, boilers, generators, thermal fluid systems, HVAC systems, air handlers, exhaust fans, and water chilling systems and reporting any ammonia leakages. Also perform daily PMs on the equipment and perform boiler tests and condenser treatment tests.
• Be able to troubleshoot and repair electrical devices such as fuses, motors, motor starters, proximity switches, circuit breakers, receptacles and plugs. Note: PLC experience is a plus.
• Be able to use electrical equipment such as a volt meter and amp meter to determine electrical malfunctions on fuses, motors, motor starters and switches.
• Accountable for the QRMP (Quality Risk Management Process) standards as outlined in the plant’s QRMP accountability document, including the implementation, improvement and ongoing maintenance.

Requirements

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

• Must work in a safe, sanitary and productive manner in accordance to LHD GMP’s.
• Understanding of Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration systems
• Have at least 3 years industrial maintenance experience
• Have a strong electrical & mechanical aptitude
• Ability to read & interpret blueprints or other forms of engineering drawings
• Ability to read & interpret detail blueprints, P&IDs, single-lines, ladder logic and wiring schematics
• Possess an extremely strong personal safety philosophy, able to follow all safety policies & procedures, seek out & correct unsafe conditions

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affiant/affirmative action employer will comply with all related legal obligations.