Utilities & Refrigeration Maintenance Supervisor

New Angus; Aberdeen (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Company Matching

Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Job summary

New Angus in Aberdeen, SD, is seeking a skilled Industrial Refrigeration Supervisor to oversee a team of technicians and ensure efficient operation of refrigeration systems. This role requires at least 5 years of hands-on maintenance experience, including supervisory responsibilities, and expertise in high-capacity Freon systems.

The ideal candidate will manage preventive maintenance activities, enforce safety protocols, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations, all while being part of a 24/7 operational environment.

Attractive benefits include competitive salary compensation, health insurance, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; technical education is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years maintenance experience in industrial utilities.
• EPA Section 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling License is required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and train a team of technicians across a 24/7 operation.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of high-capacity refrigeration systems.
• Plan and assign preventive maintenance tasks using CMMS.

Skills

Supervision and Training

Safety Protocols

Mechanical Diagnostics

CMMS Proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Technical Degree or Trade School Certificate

Tools

CMMS Software

Industrial Freon Systems

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: DemKota Ranch Beef - Aberdeen, SD 57401

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: High School or GED

Job Shift: Any

Key Responsibilities

1. Personnel Leadership & Shift Management
   • Supervise, schedule, train, and mentor a diverse team of powerhouse utility technicians and specialized industrial Freon refrigeration technicians across a 24/7 continuous operation.
   • Foster a strong culture of safety, ensuring team adherence to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols.
   • Evaluate technician performance, coordinate technical skills development training, and manage labor hours to optimize operational efficiency.
2. Industrial Freon Refrigeration Systems Oversight
   • Direct the daily operation, inspection, troubleshooting, and precision repair of the facility’s massive high‑capacity industrial Freon‑based refrigeration infrastructure, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, and motors.
   • Oversee advanced mechanical and electrical diagnostics on the refrigeration equipment, including high‑voltage diagnostics, complex motor control systems, split systems, localized coolers, and automated controls.
   • Ensure strict compliance with EPA refrigerant handling regulations, ensuring meticulous tracking, logging of refrigerant use, leak detection protocols, and logbook maintenance.
   • Review and accurately interpret technical manuals, advanced system diagrams, and complex refrigeration/electrical schematics to guide technicians through overhauls and piping modifications (welding/soldering).
3. Powerhouse, Steam, & Water Utilities Oversight
   • Oversee the operation, mechanical maintenance, and safety of high‑pressure boilers, deaerators, feedwater pumps, and steam distribution systems.
   • Manage the plant’s compressed air systems, including industrial rotary screw air compressors, inline filtration, and refrigerated air dryers.
   • Direct the water treatment program, monitoring makeup water systems, water softeners, and reverse osmosis (RO) systems to eliminate scaling and piping corrosion.
4. Carcass Cooler Spray & Shrinkage Control
   • Ensure strict maintenance, inspection, and mechanical optimization of chilled water spray systems (including nozzles, headers, solenoids, and booster pumps) in the hot boxes and carcass storage coolers.
   • Actively manage chilled water delivery through routine plant rounds to control and minimize carcass shrinkage while beef is being stored prior to hitting the fabrication floor for production.
5. Maintenance Execution & CMMS Tracking
   • Plan, prioritize, and assign preventive maintenance (PM) and corrective work orders through the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) across all utility and Freon sectors.
   • Troubleshoot complex mechanical, thermal, and hydraulic system issues alongside technicians to minimize production downtime and protect product yield.
   • Manage utility parts inventory, source critical vendor components, and oversee external contractors during specialized maintenance shutdowns.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required. Technical degree, trade school certificate, or formal apprenticeship in industrial refrigeration or mechanical maintenance strongly preferred.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on maintenance experience in industrial utilities, with at least 2–3 years in a leadership, supervisory, or lead technician role. Prior experience managing high‑capacity industrial Freon or utility systems in a meat packing or heavy food processing facility is highly preferred.
• Technical Certifications: EPA Section 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling License (Required). State, Municipal, or National High-Pressure Boiler Operator / Stationary Engineer License preferred.
• Core Competencies: Deep technical comprehension of high-pressure boilers, industrial rotary screw air compressors, high-tonnage industrial Freon systems (DX and flooded), high-voltage electrical diagnostics, and motor control systems. Proficiency with CMMS software.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Environment: Exposure to extreme variable temperatures, ranging from hot boiler rooms to wet, chilled carcass coolers, blast freezers, and roofs. High noise areas requiring hearing protection.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during plant rounds, lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders/stairs, and access elevated utility racks.
• Availability: Must be available to support a 24/7 operation, providing guidance during off-shifts and responding to emergency call-ins if critical utility or Freon refrigeration systems malfunction.

Benefits Package

• Competitive Salaried Compensation
• 401(k) with Company Matching
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays