Refrigeration Manager

farmerfocus; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly payroll

Paid time off & sick leave

Dental & vision coverage

401(k) with company match

HSA & FSA

Education reimbursement

Employee assistance programs

Internal learning & career growth

Job summary

Farmer Focus seeks a Refrigeration Manager to lead strategic direction, ensure safe and reliable ammonia and Freon-based refrigeration systems, and drive continuous improvement across facilities. You will oversee the Refrigeration Superintendent and mentor leads, technicians, and PSM personnel while aligning with safety, quality, and production goals.

The role emphasizes safety culture, regulatory compliance, and capital project oversight within a plant-wide refrigeration program.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of industrial refrigeration experience, including ammonia systems.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing teams.
• CARO certification required.
• Strong knowledge of Process Safety Management and Risk Management Plan regulations and industry best practices.
• Experience with high‑pressure steam boilers, HVAC, compressed air, and refrigeration operations.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop refrigeration leaders, technicians, and PSM personnel.
• Ability to interpret technical documents, schematics, P&IDs, and compliance records.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of refrigeration operations across facilities.
• Ensure compliance with Process Safety Management and Risk Management Plan regulations.
• Lead and mentor Refrigeration Superintendent and refrigeration leads, technicians, and PSM personnel.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs, SOPs, and emergency response protocols.
• Oversee capital projects related to refrigeration, compressed air, and boiler systems.
• Collaborate with Safety, Engineering, Production, Maintenance, and vendors to support operations.
• Monitor performance metrics and drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Manage vendor relationships, service contracts, and procurement of equipment.

Skills

Leadership

Refrigeration operations

Process Safety Management

Risk Management

Vendor management

Documentation & compliance

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

RETA CIRO certification

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Refrigeration ManagerJob Description

Job Details

Job Title: Refrigeration Manager

Department: Refrigeration / Maintenance

Reports To: Head of Maintenance

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: On Plant / Assigned Location(s)

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Shift / Schedule: Full-time

Travel Requirements: Minimal travel between facilities as needed

Employment Type: Full-time

Role Overview / Purpose and Scope

The Refrigeration Manager leads the strategic direction, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance of refrigeration systems across Farmer Focus facilities. This role is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, reliable, and sustainable operation of ammonia and Freon-based refrigeration systems while fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and technical development within the refrigeration team.

The Refrigeration Manager directly oversees the Refrigeration Superintendent and provides guidance to the broader refrigeration team, including leads, technicians, and PSM personnel. This position is instrumental in driving system reliability, performance, and compliance with Process Safety Management and Risk Management Plan standards while aligning refrigeration operations with Farmer Focus’s safety, quality, production, and business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of refrigeration operations across multiple facilities.
• Ensure full compliance with Process Safety Management and Risk Management Plan regulations.
• Lead and mentor the Refrigeration Superintendent and support the development of refrigeration leads, technicians, and PSM coordinators.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs, standard operating procedures, and emergency response protocols.
• Oversee capital projects related to refrigeration, compressed air, and boiler systems.
• Collaborate with Safety, Engineering, Production, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to ensure refrigeration systems support operational goals.
• Monitor system performance and reliability metrics and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Manage vendor relationships, service contracts, and procurement of refrigeration-related equipment and supplies.
• Maintain required documentation, including P&IDs, compliance records, training logs, operating procedures, and other refrigeration-related records.
• Lead internal audits and participate in external inspections related to refrigeration and safety systems.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and Lean principles within the refrigeration function.
• Lead Process Hazard Analysis and Management of Change processes for refrigeration system changes.
• Support emergency response readiness and ensure refrigeration-related safety protocols are maintained.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, technical excellence, and continuous development within the refrigeration team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Compensation

Compensation Range: $125,000 - $150,000

Additional Compensation: KPI-based incentives.

The posted compensation range for this role should reflect the minimum and maximum amount Farmer Focus in good faith expects to pay at the time of posting, based on factors such as internal equity, relevant experience, market data, and the budgeted amount available for the position.

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, HSA and FSA, education reimbursement opportunities, employee assistance programs (EAP), 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

• 7 or more years of industrial refrigeration experience, including ammonia systems.
• 3 or more years of leadership experience managing teams and complex systems.
• CARO certification required.
• Strong working knowledge of Process Safety Management and Risk Management Plan regulations and industry best practices.
• Proven experience with high-pressure steam boilers, HVAC systems, compressed air systems, and refrigeration operations.
• Ability to provide leadership, coaching, technical guidance, and development support to refrigeration leaders, technicians, and PSM personnel.
• Ability to interpret technical documents, schematics, engineering drawings, P&IDs, compliance records, and training documentation.
• Experience monitoring system performance, identifying reliability concerns, and leading root cause analysis and corrective action efforts.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in CMMS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Safety, Engineering, Production, Maintenance, vendors, inspectors, and other internal and external partners.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
• RETA CIRO certification.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or French.
• Experience overseeing refrigeration operations across multiple facilities.
• Experience managing capital projects related to refrigeration, compressed air, or boiler systems.
• Experience leading internal audits, external inspections, Process Hazard Analysis, and Management of Change processes.
• Experience applying Lean principles or continuous improvement methods within a refrigeration, maintenance, manufacturing, or production environment.

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 production environment across Farmer Focus facilities. This role requires the ability to access refrigeration areas, maintenance areas, production areas, mechanical spaces, and outdoor work areas as needed. The team member must be able to tolerate varying heat, wet, and chill conditions within the plant. GMP and safety personal protective equipment are required while inside the plant. This role requires fine hand and finger dexterity and the ability to climb stairs, ladders, and platforms. The selected candidate must be able to pass a fitness test, wear a full-face respirator, and remain clean shaven with no more than 24 hours of facial hair growth. This position requires willingness to participate on the PSM and safety committee, willingness to be part of the Hazmat team, and compliance with all safety rules and instructions, including participation in company training programs and continuous skill development. Limited travel between facilities may be required to support refrigeration operations, meetings, collaboration, inspections, and team coverage.

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.

EOE, including disability/vets