Refrigeration Manager

Nortera Foods Inc.; New Jersey; On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance with HSA/FSA

Dental & Vision Insurance

Retirement plan with employer contrib.

Paid vacation & holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition reimbursement

Referral program

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

Nortera Foods Inc. in New Jersey is seeking an experienced Refrigeration Manager to lead all refrigeration and utility operations across multiple facilities. You will drive preventive maintenance, oversee equipment reliability, coordinate contractors, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The role also focuses on mentoring staff, optimizing budgets, and advancing safety culture. Salary range is $100,000–$115,000 with full benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with industrial refrigeration/maintenance training.
• Ammonia I & II certification and Refrigeration Operator accreditation required.
• Experience and knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead refrigeration and utility operations, preventative maintenance, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop refrigeration team, set goals, schedule, train, and support across facilities.
• Drive safety and process safety programs: PSM, ammonia safety, HACCP, GMP, workplace safety.
• Oversee budgets, CAPEX, and continuous improvement for equipment and production reliability.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Team management

Prioritization

Continuous improvement

OSHA compliance

EPA compliance

GMP familiarity

Food safety knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Industrial refrigeration training

Ammonia I & II certification

Refrigeration Operator accreditation

Tools

Blueprints & schematics

Maintenance & inventory systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Joining Nortera means choosing opportunities to grow together!

As North America's leader in ready-to-cook vegetables, we are committed to contributing to the well-being of society by providing access to healthy and sustainable food. Nortera produces major private and retail brands and markets its own brand Arctic Gardens.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and Annual bonus program
• Group Health Insurance program w/HSA or FSA
• Dental/Vision Insurance and several supplemental Insurance options
• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• Paid Vacation and Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Reimbursement for tuition fees and physical activity
• Referral program
• An environment that fosters learning and professional development
  Opportunities to work on inspiring projects in a growing company!

Responsibilities

• Lead all refrigeration and utility operations, including preventive maintenance programs, equipment reliability, contractor coordination, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage and develop refrigeration team members, establish performance goals, oversee scheduling, provide technical training, and support refrigeration operations across multiple facilities.
• Drive Process Safety Management (PSM), ammonia refrigeration safety, HACCP, GMP, and workplace safety initiatives while fostering a culture of zero incidents and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee departmental budgets, capital improvement projects, and continuous improvement efforts to enhance equipment performance, production efficiency, food safety, and operational reliability.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required, with industrial technical training in refrigeration, utilities, maintenance, or a related field; Ammonia I & II certification and Refrigeration Operator accreditation required.
• 3–5 years of experience as a Refrigeration Mechanic with strong knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems, compressors, condensers, pumps, controls, freezer tunnels, and related mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and team management skills, with the ability to prioritize work, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, GMP, and food safety standards.
• Proficiency in reading blueprints and schematics, using maintenance and inventory management systems, Microsoft Office, and working safely in industrial environments, including confined spaces, varying temperatures, and lifting up to 50 lbs. as needed.

Pay Range: $100,000 to $115,000

Nortera believes in Equal Opportunity for all and is committed to ensuring all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, have an opportunity to apply for those positions that they are interested in and qualify for without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. Nortera is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals so that an individual can perform their job-related duties. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and require special assistance or an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please contact us at 585-434-0399.