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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

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, 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

• 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.
• 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 and requires the ability to tolerate varying heat, wet, and chill conditions in the plant. GMP and safety PPE are required while inside the plant. This role requires fine hand and finger dexterity; the ability to climb stairs, ladders, and platforms; and the ability to pass a fitness test. The selected candidate must be able to wear a full-face respirator and must be 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 on a limited basis to support refrigeration operations.

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.

About Farmer Focus

Farmer Focus exists 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 producing 100% organic and humanely raised chicken that is better for people, the planet, and animals. Our culture is grounded in servant leadership and guided by our CARES values: Community, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. Our top priorities are people, safety, and quality. At Farmer Focus, our vision is to disrupt the status quo by creating bold opportunities for people who demand more and deserve better.

EOE, including disability/vets

Pay: From $60.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person