Refrigeration Manager

Performance Food Group; Minnesota; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness Benefits

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

RRSP

Paid Time Off

Scholarship Opportunities for children

Job summary

Performance Food Group is seeking an experienced Refrigeration Manager to own the safe, reliable operation of ammonia, CO2, and halocarbon systems across the facility. You will lead the refrigeration and maintenance team, set preventive maintenance standards, manage contractors and capital projects, and serve as the technical authority and emergency lead for refrigeration.

You will drive uptime, food safety, energy efficiency, and zero-incident safety culture while ensuring compliance with EPA

Qualifications

• 5-7 years relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, forecasts, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safe operation and maintenance of industrial ammonia systems (compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels, pumps, valves, piping, controls, and relief systems).
• Lead OSHA PSM and EPA RMP processes, including hazard analyses, procedures, mechanical integrity, management of change, and audits.
• Direct leak detection, emergency shutdown, and release response with local services.
• Maintain halocarbon systems serving coolers, freezers, docks, and production equipment; ensure EPA 608 compliance and timely repairs.
• Manage rooftop units, air handlers, make-up air, heating, and building automation to support comfort and food safety.
• Build preventive and predictive maintenance programs in CMMS; lead root-cause analyses and respond to alarms 24/7.
• Hire, train, and develop refrigeration technicians and maintenance staff.

Skills

Refrigeration systems

Ammonia (R-717) operations

CO2 (R-744) systems

HVAC/building systems

Maintenance leadership

OSHA PSM compliance

Leak detection & emergency response

Contractors & capital projects

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in HVAC/R, mechanical engineering, or facilities management

Tools

IIAR certification

RETA certification

PSM/RMP audit experience

OSHA 30 & HAZWOPER training

Job description

Company Description

Performance Foodservice, PFG's broadline distributor, maintains a unique relationship with a variety of local customers, including independent restaurants and hotels, healthcare facilities, schools, and quick-service eateries. A team of sales reps, chefs, consultants, and other experts builds close relationships with customers - providing advice on improving operations, menu development, product selection, and operational strategies. The Performance team delivers delicious food but also goes above and beyond to help independent restaurant owners achieve their dreams.

Job Description

We Deliver the Goods

• Competitive pay and benefits, including Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, RRSP, Paid Direct Drug Card, & Scholarship Opportunities for children of associates, Paid Time Off, and much more
• Growth opportunities performing essential work to support America's food distribution system
• Safe and inclusive working environment, including culture of rewards, recognition, and respect

Primary Responsibilities

We're looking for an experienced Refrigeration Manager to own the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of every refrigeration and HVAC system in our facility, including industrial ammonia, CO2, and halocarbon (Freon/HFC) systems. You'll lead our refrigeration and maintenance team, set the standard for preventive maintenance, manage contractors and capital projects, and serve as the site's technical authority and emergency response lead for refrigeration. Your work protects our people, our community, and the product our customers count on. Uptime, food safety, energy performance, and a zero-incident safety record will define your success.

Ammonia (R-717)

• Oversee safe operation and maintenance of the industrial ammonia system: compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels, pumps, valves, piping, controls, and relief systems
• Lead the site's OSHA Process Safety Management and EPA Risk Management Program, including process hazard analyses, operating procedures, mechanical integrity, management of change, and compliance audits
• Direct leak detection, emergency shutdown, and release response, and coordinate with local fire and emergency services
• Apply IIAR standards and recognized good engineering practices to inspection, testing, and maintenance

CO2 (R-744)

• Operate and maintain CO2 systems, including transcritical and cascade configurations
• Manage high-pressure operation, pressure relief, and CO2 detection and ventilation in occupied spaces

Freon and other halocarbon refrigerants

• Maintain halocarbon systems serving coolers, freezers, docks, offices, and production equipment
• Ensure EPA Section 608 compliance, including leak inspections and repair timelines, refrigerant recovery, and recordkeeping
• Plan for the transition to lower global-warming-potential refrigerants

HVAC and building systems

• Manage rooftop units, air handlers, make-up air, heating, dock door heaters, dehumidification, and building automation
• Control temperature and humidity across office, warehouse, dock, and production areas to support comfort, food safety, and condensation and ice control

Reliability, safety, and leadership

• Build and run preventive and predictive maintenance programs in our CMMS, and lead root-cause analysis on failures
• Respond to alarms and temperature excursions to protect product, 24/7
• Champion a zero-incident safety culture, including lockout/tagout, line breaks, hot work, confined space, and fall protection
• Manage the refrigeration and HVAC budget, energy efficiency initiatives, capital projects, and contractors
• Hire, train, and develop refrigeration technicians and maintenance staff

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• 5-7 years relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, forecasts, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Work environment and physical requirements

• Work in freezers at or below 0°F, hot mechanical rooms, docks, and rooftops
• Climb ladders, work at heights with fall protection, and lift up to 50 pounds
• Wear required PPE, including respirators; must meet respirator medical clearance and fit-testing requirements
• Respond on call for refrigeration emergencies, including nights, weekends, and holidays

Preferred qualifications

• IIAR (International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration) certification
• RETA certification (CARO, CIRO, CRES, or CPSMP)
• PSM/RMP audit experience
• Associate or bachelor's degree in HVAC/R, mechanical engineering, or facilities management
• OSHA 30 and HAZWOPER training

EEO Statement

Performance Food Group and/or its subsidiaries (individually or collectively, the "Company") provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. Please click on the following links to review: (1) our EEO Policy; (2) the "EEO is the Law" poster and supplement; and (3) the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.