Refrigeration Superintendent

farmerfocus; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmer Focus is seeking a Refrigeration Superintendent to lead the refrigeration team across facilities, oversee PSM/RMP compliant maintenance, and ensure reliable operation of ammonia and freon systems. You will supervise technicians and coordinate preventive maintenance to minimize downtime.

The role requires strong leadership, in-depth knowledge of industrial refrigeration, and experience with boiler and air systems. Occasional overtime and field exposure are expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years industrial refrigeration experience.
• 0experience supervising a team of 5 or more.
• CARO certification required or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• CIRO certification desired.
• Ability to complete Ammonia Technician Operator Level 1 and 2.
• Ability to read blueprints and schematics.

Responsibilities

• Supervise refrigeration staff, provide mentorship and leadership across facilities.
• Maintenance and repair of ammonia and freon refrigeration systems per PSM/RMP guidelines.
• Rebuild and adjust refrigeration, boiler, and compressed air equipment as needed.
• Perform routine PMs and repairs on compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels and valves.
• Check electrical parameters and use VOM to verify voltages and fuses.
• Maintain logs and ensure safety policies are followed.

Skills

Team leadership

Industrial refrigeration

Ammonia systems

Maintenance planning

Electrical systems

Safety compliance

PSM/RMP knowledge

Bilingual beneficial

Education

High School diploma

Associate or Bachelor's degree a plus

Job description

Who We Are and What We Do

Farmer Focus’s mission is 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 consistently producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is rooted in servant leadership, and we live by our Farmer Focus CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship.

How this role will be impactful

As the Refrigeration Superintendent, you will be responsible for the supervision, mentorship and leadership of the PSM Coordinator, Refrigeration leads, and refrigeration technicians at all Farmer Focus facilities. This role will also be responsible for repairs of the refrigeration system while complying with PSM and RMP guidelines. In this position you will rebuild and adjust refrigeration, boiler, and compressed air equipment. You will be responsible to safely operate the ammonia refrigeration systems and freon systems, for processing and completing work orders, troubleshooting, mechanical failures, and performing equipment maintenance.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Strong understanding of the refrigeration cycle, refrigeration, controls, and electrical systems.
• Knowledge of ammonia refrigeration equipment, such as compressors, ammonia pumps, evaporative condensers etc.
• Maintains all operational logs as required.
• Must be qualified to receive or transfer ammonia in all plant systems.
• Must be qualified to do routine maintenance on ammonia compressors, air compressors, ammonia liquid pumps, ammonia system controls, air system controls, air system drying equipment and refrigeration system condensers.
• Maintains an awareness of equipment operation, especially excessive heat, vibration, and noise, reporting malfunctions, hazards, or wear to the Refrigeration Manager
• Ability to repair or replace defective parts as needed.
• Successfully performs all routine tasks and applies skills and experience to solve non-routine mechanical and process issues.
• Demonstrate understanding and adhere to all work safety policies, procedures, and PSM/RMP requirements.
• Perform PMs and repairs on compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, and other machinery included in the ammonia refrigeration equipment.
• Accurately completes requisition forms as needed to order parts and supplies to keep systems in good general repair.
• Responsible for checking voltage, fuses and resistance with the use of a Volt-Ohm-Meter (VOM).
• Competently uses and understands technical documents, including but not limited to: Maintenance Manuals, Schematics, Procedures, Repair Documents, etc.
• Maintains a neat and orderly workstation / Shop Area as needed.
• Other duties, as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associates or Bachelors degree is a plus.
• 5+ years industrial refrigeration experience required.
• Experience supervising a team of 5 or more team members highly preferred.
• CARO certification required or ability to obtain within six months of hire
• CIRO certification is highly desirable.
• Ability to successfully complete Ammonia Technician Operator Level 1 and 2 will be required.
• Ability to lead and train other refrigeration techs in good engineering practices and recognized industry standards.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing as well as read and interpret blue-prints and schematics.
• Ability to update and maintain control system P&ID’s, SOP’s, and PM work orders.
• Proven knowledge of Refrigeration, High Pressure Steam Boilers, HVAC, controls, and fundamentals of PSM/RMP is required.
• Working knowledge of ammonia refrigeration system is a must.
• A basic understanding of Lean Principles is preferred, but not required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities change quickly.
• Willing to work as part of a team.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Takes the initiative and pro-actively seeks to resolve issues independently when discovered.
• Willing to work occasional overtime, including weekends, as required.
• Must be willing to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Written and Verbal English proficiency required.
• Bi-lingual proficiency in Spanish, French, or other languages is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Must have fine hand and finger dexterity.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and platforms
• Must be willing to participate on PSM/safety committee.
• Must comply with all safety rules and instructions, participate in the Company training programs, and make every effort to learn, develop, and upgrade skills required for this job classification.
• Must be able to pass the fitness test.
• Must be able to wear a full-face respirator.
• Must be clean shaven. No more than 24 hours of facial hair growth.
• Must be willing to be part of our Hazmat team.

Working Environment:

Work conducted primarily in a manufacturing/production environment. Must be able to tolerate the varying heat, wet and chill of the plant. GMP and safety PPE is required while inside the Plant.

Farmer Focus is committed to the principles of equal employment and to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is inclusive and equitable, free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based upon an individual's age, race (including traits historically associated with race, which includes hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity, or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), military status (including status as a uniformed servicemember, a veteran, or dependent of a servicemember), or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Farmer Focus is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.