Refrigeration and Maintenance Techs

Koch Foods; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Health, dental, and vision insurance

On-the-job training

Paid time off

Company purchasing program

Life insurance

Job summary

KOCH FOODS is seeking experienced Refrigeration & Maintenance Technicians to support the safe, reliable operation of a poultry processing facility. You will maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize industrial refrigeration systems, production equipment, utilities, and facility systems in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in industrial maintenance or refrigeration, experience with ammonia systems, and the ability to read schematics and use hand and power tools.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate, inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial refrigeration systems.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on refrigeration equipment and components.
• Troubleshoot compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, valves, and controls.
• Monitor pressures, temperatures, and system conditions.
• Maintain safety procedures and documentation of repairs and inspections.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain poultry processing and packaging equipment.
• Read mechanical drawings and electrical schematics; use hand and power tools.

Skills

Industrial refrigeration

Troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical certification / trade school

RETA certification

EPA refrigeration certification

Tools

CMMS

Electrical testing equipment

Job description

We are seeking experienced Refrigeration & Maintenance Technicians to support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of a poultry processing facility. This position is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and optimizing industrial refrigeration systems, production equipment, utilities, and facility systems.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in a food-processing, manufacturing, industrial, or poultry environment and is comfortable working in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled production facility.

• Operate, inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial refrigeration systems.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on refrigeration equipment and associated components.
• Troubleshoot compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, valves, controls, piping, and refrigeration systems.
• Monitor refrigeration system pressures, temperatures, levels, and operating conditions.
• Respond quickly to refrigeration alarms, equipment failures, and production-related maintenance issues.
• Maintain refrigeration systems in accordance with company safety procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and document repairs, inspections, and system conditions.

Mechanical & Equipment Maintenance:

• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain poultry processing and packaging equipment.
• Perform mechanical repairs involving bearings, belts, chains, gearboxes, motors, pumps, conveyors, valves, and pneumatic systems.
• Conduct scheduled preventive maintenance to minimize equipment downtime.
• Diagnose equipment failures and identify root causes.
• Assist with equipment installation, modification, fabrication, and improvements.
• Maintain facility systems including doors, drains, pumps, utilities, and other plant infrastructure.

Electrical & Controls:

• Troubleshoot basic to intermediate electrical problems involving motors, sensors, switches, relays, starters, and control circuits.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, equipment manuals, and technical documentation.
• Use electrical testing equipment safely and appropriately.
• Escalate complex electrical, PLC, or controls issues when specialized support is required.

Safety & Food Safety:

• Follow all OSHA, company safety, lockout/tagout, PPE, and environmental procedures.
• Follow food-safety, sanitation, and GMP requirements applicable to a poultry processing facility.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area.
• Properly document maintenance activities and safety-related inspections.
• Support plant compliance with applicable refrigeration, environmental, and food-safety requirements.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Technical certification, trade school, or equivalent industrial maintenance training preferred.
• 2+ years of industrial maintenance or refrigeration experience preferred.
• Experience in poultry processing, food manufacturing, cold storage, or a similar industrial environment is highly desirable.
• Experience with industrial refrigeration systems, preferably ammonia (NH₃) refrigeration, is strongly preferred for refrigeration-focused positions.
• Mechanical troubleshooting and repair experience.
• Basic electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, equipment manuals, and electrical schematics.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, meters, gauges, and other maintenance equipment.
• Ability to work independently and respond effectively to equipment breakdowns.

Preferred Skills & Certifications:

• RETA certification or equivalent refrigeration training.
• EPA refrigeration certification, where applicable.
• Electrical, HVAC, mechanical, or industrial maintenance certification.
• Experience with PLCs and automated production equipment.
• Pneumatic and hydraulic systems experience.
• CMMS/maintenance-management-system experience.

Physical Requirements

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, and work in confined or difficult-to-access areas.
• Lift and carry maintenance tools and equipment.
• Work in cold, wet, humid, noisy, and temperature-controlled production environments.
• Work safely around moving machinery, refrigeration equipment, chemicals, and industrial equipment while wearing required PPE.
• Work around live and/or raw animal odors.

Benefits Information

Benefits Eligibility Varies

• Paid Time Off
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• FREE $25,000 life insurance policy with additional life insurance programs available
• Company Sponsored Purchasing Program
• On-the-Job Training Provided
• Weekly Pay Check
• Promotional Career Opportunities
• All required Personal Protection Equipment is provided
• Company Cook-Outs, Safety Rewards, Giveaways, etc.
• Come be a part of a Family Oriented Company that offers so much more!

KOCH FOODS IS A DIVERSE COMPANY THAT BELIEVES ITS EMPLOYEES ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR INVESTING IN ITS FUTURE. AT KOCH FOODS, EVERY TEAM MEMBER IS CRITICAL IN HELPING US DELIVER ON OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CUSTOMERS. KOCH FOODS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PARTNER.