Refrigeration Superintendent Job Description

Job Title: Refrigeration Superintendent
Department: Maintenance / Refrigeration
Reports To: Refrigeration Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: On Plant / Assigned Location
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Shift / Schedule: 1st
Travel Requirements: Minimal; travel between both plants as needed
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Overview / Purpose and Scope

The Refrigeration Superintendent is responsible for the supervision, mentorship, and leadership of the PSM Coordinator, Refrigeration Leads, and Refrigeration Technicians across Farmer Focus facilities. This role supports the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of ammonia refrigeration systems, Freon systems, boilers, compressed air systems, and related equipment.

The Refrigeration Superintendent is responsible for supporting refrigeration system repairs, rebuilding and adjusting refrigeration, boiler, and compressed air equipment, completing work orders, troubleshooting mechanical failures, performing equipment maintenance, and ensuring compliance with PSM and RMP guidelines. This position plays an important role in equipment reliability, regulatory compliance, team development, safety, and operational continuity across Farmer Focus facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and lead the PSM Coordinator, Refrigeration Leads, and Refrigeration Technicians.

• Support the safe operation, repair, maintenance, and reliability of ammonia refrigeration systems and Freon systems.

• Rebuild, adjust, troubleshoot, and maintain refrigeration, boiler, compressed air, and related equipment.

• Process and complete work orders accurately and in a timely manner.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the refrigeration cycle, refrigeration equipment, controls, and electrical systems.

• Maintain working knowledge of ammonia refrigeration equipment, including compressors, ammonia pumps, evaporative condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, and related machinery.

• Maintain all required operational logs accurately and in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.

• Receive or transfer ammonia in all plant systems, as qualified.

• Perform routine maintenance on ammonia compressors, air compressors, ammonia liquid pumps, ammonia system controls, air system controls, air system drying equipment, and refrigeration system condensers.

• Monitor equipment operation and remain alert to excessive heat, vibration, noise, wear, hazards, or other signs of malfunction.

• Report equipment malfunctions, hazards, wear, or unsafe conditions to the Refrigeration Manager.

• Repair or replace defective parts as needed to maintain safe and reliable system operation.

• Successfully perform routine tasks while applying technical skills and experience to solve non-routine mechanical and process issues.

• Demonstrate understanding of and adherence to all work safety policies, procedures, and PSM/RMP requirements.

• Perform preventive maintenance and repairs on compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, and other machinery included in ammonia refrigeration equipment.

• Accurately complete requisition forms as needed to order parts and supplies and keep systems in good general repair.

• Check voltage, fuses, and resistance using a Volt-Ohm-Meter.

• Competently use and interpret technical documents, including maintenance manuals, schematics, procedures, repair documents, blueprints, and other related materials.

• Update and maintain control system P&IDs, SOPs, and preventive maintenance work orders.

• Lead and train refrigeration team members in good engineering practices and recognized industry standards.

• Maintain a neat and orderly workstation and shop area.

• Participate on the PSM and safety committee as required.

• Serve as part of the Hazmat team as required.

• Comply with all safety rules and instructions.

• Participate in company training programs and make every effort to learn, develop, and upgrade skills required for the role.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Compensation: $115,000 - $130,000

Benefits: Farmer Focus offers a competitive total rewards package designed to support team members' health, financial well-being, and professional growth. Available offerings may include weekly payroll, paid time off and sick leave, semi-subsidized medical coverage, dental and vision plan options, a 401(k) plan with company match, HSA and FSA, education reimbursement opportunities, employee assistance programs (EAP), and internal learning, development, and career growth programs.

All benefits, programs, and offerings are subject to eligibility requirements, plan terms, and company policies, and may be changed, amended, or discontinued by Farmer Focus at any time.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• 5 or more years of industrial refrigeration experience required.

• CARO certification required or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

• Ability to successfully complete Ammonia Technician Operator Level 1 and Level 2 as required.

• Proven knowledge of refrigeration, high-pressure steam boilers, HVAC, controls, and the fundamentals of PSM/RMP.

• Working knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems required.

• Ability to lead and train refrigeration technicians in good engineering practices and recognized industry standards.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Written and verbal English proficiency required.

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, maintenance manuals, procedures, repair documents, and other technical materials.

• Ability to update and maintain control system P&IDs, SOPs, and preventive maintenance work orders.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities change quickly.

• Willingness to work as part of a team.

• Regular and reliable attendance required.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

• Willingness to work occasional overtime, including weekends, as required.

• Ability to take initiative and proactively seek to resolve issues independently when discovered.

• Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions.

• Ability to comply with all safety rules and instructions.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree.

• Experience supervising a team of 5 or more team members.

• CIRO certification.

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, French, or another language.

• Basic understanding of Lean principles.

• Prior experience supervising refrigeration teams in a food processing, poultry processing, manufacturing, or production environment.

• Experience supporting PSM/RMP compliance, audits, safety committees, Hazmat teams, or emergency response requirements.

• Experience with ammonia refrigeration systems, Freon systems, boilers, compressed air systems, and related plant utilities.

New team members must be able to pass a drug, alcohol and background screening post-offer and prior to the start of their employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of their third day of work.

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel

Work is conducted primarily in a manufacturing and production environment across Farmer Focus facilities. This role requires access to refrigeration areas, maintenance areas, mechanical spaces, production areas, shop areas, and outdoor work areas as needed. The team member must be able to tolerate varying heat, wet, and chill conditions within the plant. GMP and safety personal protective equipment are required while inside the plant. This role requires fine hand and finger dexterity and the ability to climb stairs, ladders, and platforms. The selected candidate must be able to pass a fitness test, wear a full-face respirator, and remain clean shaven with no more than 24 hours of facial hair growth. This position requires willingness to participate on the PSM and safety committee, willingness to be part of the Hazmat team, and compliance with all safety rules and instructions, including participation in company training programs and continuous skill development. Travel between facilities may be required to support refrigeration operations, meetings, maintenance needs, inspections, training, and team coverage. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position does not have an application deadline. Farmer Focus will recruit until the role is filled.

Recruiter and Agency Disclaimer

Unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted by staffing agencies, recruiters, or search firms to any Farmer Focus employee without a current written agreement and an active, role-specific request from the Recruiting team will be considered the property of Farmer Focus. Farmer Focus will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume or candidate profile.

All external recruiters and agency partners supporting Farmer Focus searches must comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including compensation transparency requirements and restrictions on seeking salary history where applicable.