Maintenance Technician Ammonia Refrigeration & Facilities

Harvest Food Group LLC; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Second shift differential pay $1 per 1

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

Harvest Food Group is seeking a Maintenance Technician – Ammonia Refrigeration & Facilities for the 2nd shift to support production by ensuring the safe, compliant operation of industrial ammonia refrigeration and facility utilities in a food manufacturing environment.

You will monitor, maintain, troubleshoot and optimize refrigeration, HVAC, boiler, compressed air, and related systems to protect food safety and product quality.

Qualifications

• 2–5+ years in a manufacturing/industrial maintenance role with ammonia refrigeration experience.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting across motor controls, PLCs, instrumentation.
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and USDA/FDA food safety standards.
• Ability to read and interpret diagrams, schematics, and blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot and maintain ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Perform preventive maintenance including oil analysis, water chemistry testing, leak detection, filter changes.
• Maintain facility utilities: HVAC, boilers, compressed air, wastewater, fire protection.
• Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and control system issues.
• Document maintenance activities and ensure compliance with PMs and safety regs.
• Install new equipment and participate in commissioning.
• Monitor KPIs and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Program PLC/HMI: Allen-Bradley and Wonderware.
• Provide training and support to operations.
• Safety: HazMat, emergency response.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Job description

Maintenance Technician – Ammonia Refrigeration & Facilities - 2nd Shift

Job Summary

The Maintenance Technician – Ammonia Refrigeration & Facilities - 2nd Shift will support Harvest Food Group’s production operations by ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of industrial ammonia refrigeration and facility utility systems within a food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing refrigeration, HVAC, boiler, compressed air, and related building systems critical to food safety, product quality, and operational continuity. This position requires a strong technical aptitude to manage both software and hardware aspects of industrial automation while ensuring compliance with safety and food quality regulations, such as GMPs and HACCP. The position requires strong mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration technical expertise, with a proactive focus on preventive maintenance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Strict adherence to OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), GMPs, HACCP, SQF, USDA/FDA standards, and internal safety protocols is essential.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Ammonia Refrigeration Operations: Operate, monitor continuously, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial ammonia refrigeration systems including compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, piping systems, and alarm/detection systems. Perform system walkdowns, monitor trend data, and respond to operational deviations.
• Preventive Maintenance & Inspections: Conduct scheduled inspections and planned preventive maintenance (PMs) including oil analysis, water chemistry testing, leak detection, filter replacements, belt adjustments, and operational checks, as well as other necessary requirements, on machinery to foresee potential problems and ensure equipment longevity. Maintain accurate PM records and documentation.
• Facility Utility Systems Support: Maintain and troubleshoot HVAC systems, boilers, compressed air systems, wastewater support equipment, fire protection systems, heat trace systems, and related infrastructure. Support production uptime by ensuring facility utilities operate reliably.
• Troubleshooting & Repair: Diagnose and repair complex electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, refrigeration equipment and control system issues to minimize production downtime while maintaining safety and product integrity.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate documentation of all maintenance activities, software changes, electrical and ammonia refrigeration schematics. Ensure all work aligns with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR standards, GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), and food safety standards including HACCP, SQF and USDA/FDA regulations. Complete work orders, SOP updates, inspection reports, and safety documentation within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• System Installation & Commissioning: Collaborate with engineers, safety and production teams to install new equipment and control systems, including field commissioning and startup procedures.
• Continuous Improvement & Reliability: Monitor system efficiency, identify equipment reliability risks, analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), and propose modifications or upgrades to existing automation to improve processes and identify cost‑saving initiatives. Participate in capital projects, equipment upgrades, and system optimization efforts.
• PLC/HMI Programming: Design, write, test, and implement PLC programs (e.g., Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix) and HMI/SCADA software (e.g., Wonderware) that meet production needs.
• Training & Support: Provide training and technical support to operations and other maintenance personnel on automated systems and new equipment operations.
• Contractor Coordination & Projects: Support installation, startup, and commissioning of new refrigeration and utility equipment. Ensure contractors adhere to Harvest Food Group safety and food safety standards.
• Emergency Response & Safety: Promptly respond to refrigeration system alarms, ammonia releases, or facility utility emergencies. Participate in HazMat response and safety programs as required.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with Maintenance, Safety, Production, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Engineering teams to support operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: Prior experience of 2-5+ years in a manufacturing or industrial maintenance facility with hands‑on experience in ammonia refrigeration systems is required.
• Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and supporting utilities required. Proficiency in electrical troubleshooting capabilities including motor controls, PLC interfaces, programming, setup, troubleshooting and instrumentation is essential. Strong electrical knowledge and the ability to read and interpret technical diagrams and manuals, schematics, and blueprints is also required.
• Industry Knowledge: A solid understanding of food processing equipment, such as HTST, CIP systems, conveyors, pumps, and packaging machinery, is highly beneficial. Cold storage, distribution, or industrial processing helpful. Understanding of GMPs, sanitation requirements, and food safety controls preferred.
• Problem‑Solving: Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills to troubleshoot, identify root causes of malfunctions, and implement effective corrective and preventive measures.
• Communication & Teamwork: Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams (Production, Safety, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Sanitation).
• Safety Orientation: Strong personal commitment to workplace safety, regulatory compliance, hazard mitigation, and food safety.
• Physical Demands: Ability to work in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment (which may involve exposure to temperature extremes or dust), mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, and perform physical tasks, including lifting up to 50-75 pounds and standing for extended periods.
• Education: A technical diploma or relevant certification in industrial maintenance, HVAC/R, industrial refrigeration, mechanical or electrical systems required. RETA Certification (CARO or CIRO) required.

Preferred

• Experience in food or beverage manufacturing is a significant advantage. Experience working within PSM/RMP regulated environments highly desirable.
• Bilingual English and Spanish a plus
• Familiarity with CMMS systems and maintenance documentation practices strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work within timelines and under pressure based on production needs
• Availability to work scheduled hours, including weekends, extended shifts, on‑call rotations, or emergency response as required
• Ability to stand, bend, climb stairs/ladders, and perform physical tasks for extended periods (10–12 hours per day as needed)
• Ability to work in a refrigerated environment (32–36 °F)
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds multiple times throughout the day
• Ability to safely work around industrial equipment and ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Ability to wear respiratory protection and participate in emergency response programs required.

WHY JOIN US

• Play a key role in optimizing and scaling our next-generation facility
• Work with a collaborative and innovative‑driven team
• Help deliver high‑quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers
• Contribute to the future of food manufacturing through automation and sustainability
• Second shift differential pay $1 per hour
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Life and AD&D insurance, Short‑term Disability, Long‑term Disability, Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, 401(k) matching, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays

Harvest Food Group is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, parental status, family responsibilities, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.