REFRIGERATION SHIFT OPERATOR

Sea Harvest; Saldanha; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Sea Harvest is seeking a suitably qualified Refrigeration Shift Operator to join our Asset Care team at the Saldanha site. The role focuses on operating and monitoring all refrigeration plants and equipment to ensure continuous cold chain performance.

Key duties include starting plant, recording operational data, meeting refrigeration requirements, and providing support to artisans. The position is a fixed-term 12-month contract, with strict adherence to safety and environmental procedures.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 completion required.
• Trade hand/semiskilled with refrigeration knowledge.
• Ammonia Category A qualification is advantageous.
• N1 Refrigeration trade theory advantageous.
• Experience in operating refrigeration plants is preferred.
• General trades experience (welding, fitting, electrical).

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor refrigeration plants and equipment on site.
• Start plant and match to demand, recording parameters.
• Monitor and record operational data for plant performance.
• Provide assistance to artisans and cover site when needed.

Skills

Problem-solving

Organisational skills

Planning

Decision-making

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Initiative

Education

Grade 12

Semiskilled with refrigeration knowledge

N1 Refrigeration trade theory

Ammonia Category A

Experience in refrigeration plant

General trades e.g. welding, fitting, electrical

Tools

Welding

Fitting

Electrical

Ammonia leak detection equipment

Job description

REFRIGERATION SHIFT OPERATOR

Sea Harvest is a proudly South African integrated fishing and food processing company, delivering quality seafood and food products to local and international markets. We are committed to sustainability, innovation and the development of our people.

An exciting opportunity exists for a suitably qualified and experienced REFRIGERATOR SHIFT OPERATOR to join our team.

• DEPARTMENT: ASSET CARE
• SITE / LOCATION: SALDANHA
• REPORTING TO: REFRIGERATION FORMAN
• EMPLOYMENT TYPE: FIXED TERM(12 Months)
• CLOSING DATE: 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

ROLE OVERVIEW:

To operate and monitor all refrigeration plants and equipment on site

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Start plant and match to demand-record parameters
• Ensure that all refrigeration requirements are met
• Monitor and record operational data on all refrigeration plants and equipment
• Assistance to Artisans and covering of site .

HEALTH,SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT

• Statutory & Competence Compliance – Operates within MHI,PER,HCAR and SANS 10147 requirements.
• Plant inspection & Monitoring – Completes shift-start checks on pressures, oil levels, valves and leak/gas detection indicators, logs all reading accurately
• Leak, pressure & incident response – Report and escape any Ammonia leak, abnormal pressure/temperature or unusual behaviour. Execute the sites ammonia emergency procedure
• Safe work practices – Applies the correct Log Out, Tag Out and Try Out procedure before isolation/maintenance handover. Wear ammonia rated protective clothing at all a times
• Health surveillance & exposure awareness- Attends scheduled occupational health checks(eg. Spirometry. Reports exposure symptoms immediately.
• Environmental protection - Reporting on any ammonia release .Correctly handles refrigeration top-ups and oil to prevent environmental contamination.
• Documentation Continues readiness – Maintain accurate shift/plant logbooks ,report near-misses via the Safety Health and Environmental system, stay current on emergency drills and refresher training

CHECKS & HOUSEKEEPING

• Clean plantroom, workshops, ice plants and condenser lofts
• Keep plant clean and tidy
• Check and record oil and ammonia liquid levels
• Check all chiller and freezer rooms performance and record data
• Check ice plant, level ice and supply to vessel as required
• Set and adjust slurry level for Fresh Fish Distribution usage
• Check fresh and salt water supply systems, including heat exchangers and record data

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Grade 12
• Trade hand/ semiskilled with refrigeration knowledge
• Ammonia Category A will be advantageous
• N1 Refrigeration trade theory will be advantageous
• Experience in a refrigeration plant
• General experience in general trades e.g.(welding, fitting, electrical)

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong problem-solving and organisational skills
• Strong conflict management skills .
• Good planning and decision-making skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Show initiative in understanding the decision-making process