Refrigeration Technician

President Hotels; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

The President Hotel in Cape Town is seeking a skilled Refrigeration Technician with 2–4 years of relevant experience to join our Maintenance Department and ensure refrigeration systems operate safely and efficiently across the property.

You will maintain commercial refrigeration equipment, including chillers, cold rooms, freezers and ice machines, while following health, safety and environmental guidelines and contributing to ongoing energy efficiency improvements.

Qualifications

• Proven fault-finding and diagnostic abilities in refrigeration systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills for equipment faults and troubleshooting.
• Excellent communication within a multidisciplinary Maintenance team.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, service, maintain and repair hotel refrigeration and cooling equipment.
• Support refrigeration systems across restaurants, kitchens and storage areas.
• Service chillers, cold rooms, freezers, refrigerators and ice machines.
• Carry out planned and preventative maintenance per the maintenance programme.
• Conduct routine inspections to pre-empt equipment failures.
• Diagnose faults and determine appropriate repair actions.
• Troubleshoot compressors, condensers, evaporators and thermostats.
• Test and monitor equipment to ensure safe, efficient operation.
• Respond promptly to breakdowns and urgent maintenance needs.
• Coordinate with Kitchen, F&B and other departments to minimise disruption.

Skills

Fault-finding

Diagnostic skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Trade qualification in Refrigeration/HVAC/Mech Eng

Tools

Refrigeration gauges

Testing equipment

Job description

Because keeping everything perfectly chilled behind the scenes is essential to delivering excellence in every guest experience.

At The President Hotel, our Maintenance team plays a critical role in ensuring our 349-room property operates safely, efficiently and reliably every day. From our restaurants and kitchens to cold rooms, ice machines and operational areas, dependable refrigeration and cooling systems are essential to maintaining the standards our guests expect.

As we continue our journey toward luxury, we’re looking for a skilled and experienced Refrigeration Technician with a minimum of 2 to 4 years’ relevant experience to join our Maintenance Department and ensure refrigeration and cooling equipment across the property is maintained to the highest operational and safety standards.

If you are technically skilled, confident in fault-finding, take pride in quality workmanship and understand the importance of reliable refrigeration within a busy, high-volume environment, this opportunity is for you.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant trade qualification or recognised certification in Refrigeration, HVAC, Air Conditioning or Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum 2 to 4 years’ relevant experience as a Refrigeration Technician
• Proven experience working with commercial or industrial refrigeration systems
• Previous experience within a hotel, hospitality, hospital, retail, food production, commercial property or other large-scale environment highly advantageous
• Strong working knowledge of refrigerants, compressors, condensers, evaporators and cooling technology
• Practical experience maintaining and repairing commercial refrigeration equipment
• Experience with cold rooms, chillers, freezers, refrigerators and ice machines advantageous
• Strong fault-finding, diagnostic and problem-solving capabilities
• Good understanding of refrigeration controls, thermostats and associated electrical components
• Ability to read and interpret technical diagrams, equipment manuals and manufacturer specifications
• Good understanding of preventative and planned maintenance procedures
• Strong knowledge of occupational health, safety and environmental requirements relating to refrigeration systems
• Knowledge of the correct and safe handling of refrigerants and associated chemicals
• Ability to use refrigeration tools, gauges and testing equipment safely and correctly
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality workmanship
• Ability to work independently and efficiently while meeting operational deadlines
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to respond effectively to emergency breakdowns and urgent operational requirements
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary Maintenance team
• Ability to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and assist with emergency call-outs when required
• Professional, reliable and accountable approach to work
• Valid South African ID
• A fully updated CV with relevant trade qualifications and contactable reference details is essential

What You’ll Be Doing

• Installing, commissioning, servicing, maintaining and repairing commercial refrigeration and cooling equipment throughout the hotel
• Maintaining refrigeration systems supporting the hotel’s restaurants, kitchens, food storage and operational areas
• Servicing and repairing equipment including chillers, cold rooms, freezers, refrigerators and ice machines
• Carrying out planned and preventative maintenance according to the hotel’s maintenance programme
• Conducting routine inspections to identify potential equipment problems before breakdowns occur
• Diagnosing refrigeration faults and determining the appropriate repair or corrective action
• Troubleshooting compressors, condensers, evaporators, thermostats, controls and associated components
• Testing and monitoring equipment performance to ensure systems are operating safely and efficiently
• Responding promptly to refrigeration breakdowns and urgent operational maintenance requirements
• Working closely with Kitchen, F&B and other operational departments to minimise disruption when equipment faults occur
• Supporting the wider Maintenance team during emergency breakdowns and high-demand operational periods
• Ensuring refrigeration systems operate within required temperature parameters and performance standards
• Identifying opportunities to improve equipment performance, reliability and energy efficiency
• Following all required health, safety and environmental procedures when handling refrigerants and chemicals
• Ensuring refrigerants are handled, stored and managed safely and responsibly
• Using PPE, tools and technical equipment correctly and safely at all times
• Maintaining clean, organised and safe work areas during and after maintenance activities
• Maintaining accurate records of inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs and equipment performance
• Completing job cards and updating maintenance tasks within the hotel’s maintenance management system
• Communicating recurring equipment issues and potential replacement requirements to Maintenance management
• Supporting other technical and maintenance requirements where your skills and experience can assist hotel operations
• Living and promoting our values of Teamwork, Respect, Innovation, Accountability, Passion and Integrity in everything you do

Why Join The President Hotel

• Be part of Cape Town’s Most Loved Hotel
• Work within a professional, high-volume 349-room hotel operation
• Apply your refrigeration expertise across a diverse range of commercial cooling systems and equipment
• Gain exposure to restaurants, kitchens, cold rooms, food storage facilities and other operational areas
• Work within a professional Maintenance Department where preventative maintenance, safety and operational reliability are priorities
• Develop your technical expertise within a complex hospitality environment
• Play an important role in protecting food quality, operational efficiency and the overall guest experience
• Contribute to equipment efficiency, sustainability and responsible energy management
• Be part of our exciting journey toward luxury
• Work alongside passionate hospitality and technical professionals
• Enjoy a competitive market-related salary, company contributions toward medical aid and provident fund, staff meals on duty and an outstanding team culture