Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all refrigeration operations across multiple facilities.
Ensure full compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations.
Lead and mentor the Refrigeration Superintendent and support their development of refrigeration leads, technicians, and PSM coordinators.
Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs, standard operating procedures, and emergency response protocols.
Oversee capital projects related to refrigeration, compressed air, and boiler systems.
Collaborate with Safety, Engineering, Production, and other cross-functional teams to ensure refrigeration systems support operational goals.
Monitor system performance and reliability metrics and drive root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Manage vendor relationships, service contracts, and procurement of refrigeration-related equipment and supplies.
Maintain documentation, including P&IDs, compliance records, and training logs.
Lead internal audits and participate in external inspections related to refrigeration and safety systems.
Champion continuous improvement initiatives and Lean principles within the refrigeration function.
Lead Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and Management of Change (MOC) processes for system changes.
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.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering , Industrial Technology, or a related field preferred.
7+ years of industrial refrigeration experience, including ammonia systems.
3+ years of leadership experience managing teams and complex systems.
CARO certification required ; RETA CIRO certification highly preferred.
Strong working knowledge of PSM and RMP regulations and industry best practices.
Proven experience with high-pressure steam boilers, HVAC systems, and compressed air systems.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
Ability to interpret technical documents, schematics, and engineering drawings.
Proficiency in CMMS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or French is a plus.
The selected candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the role with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel
Work is conducted primarily in a manufacturing and production environment and requires the ability to tolerate varying heat, wet, and ch
Benefits
Health insuranceDental insuranceVision insurance401(k)
Additional Information
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.
Department: Refrigeration / Maintenance
Reports To: Head of Maintenance
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Both facilities
Work Arrangement: On-site
Shift / Schedule: 1st Shift with coverage as needed
Travel Requirements: Minimal travel between facilities as needed
Employment Type: Full-time
Role Overview / Purpose and Scope
The Refrigeration Manager leads the strategic direction, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance of all refrigeration systems across Farmer Focus facilities. This role is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of ammonia and freon-based refrigeration systems while fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and technical development within the refrigeration team. The Refrigeration Manager directly oversees the Refrigeration Superintendent and provides guidance to the broader refrigeration team, including leads, technicians, and PSM personnel. This position is instrumental in driving reliability, performance, and compliance with PSM and RMP standards while aligning refrigeration operations with company goals.
Farmerfocus · Harrisonburg, VA