Refrigeration Manager

Refrigeration Manager

Department: Refrigeration
Location: Jackson
Status: Exempt
Reports To: Director of Manufacturing/Designated Plant Leader

The Refrigeration Manager is responsible for the leadership, operation, maintenance, safety, compliance, and reliability of all industrial refrigeration systems throughout the facility. This position directs Refrigeration Supervisors, technicians, maintenance mechanics, contractors, and vendors while ensuring refrigeration systems effectively support production requirements.

The Refrigeration Manager develops and oversees preventive and corrective maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, emergency response activities, continuous-improvement initiatives, staffing, training, and departmental performance. This position works closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Safety, Human Resources, and other plant leadership to maintain safe, efficient, and reliable operations.

• Direct the daily operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of the facility’s industrial refrigeration systems.
• Ensure the reliable performance of compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, motors, valves, piping, instrumentation, PLCs, electrical controls, and associated equipment.
• Monitor system operating conditions, energy usage, equipment performance, and refrigeration capacity.
• Identify equipment deficiencies and develop corrective-action plans to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and system performance.
• Oversee routine, preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities.
• Review and prioritize refrigeration work orders based on safety, compliance, production needs, and equipment reliability.
• Review previous work orders and outstanding tasks when developing daily, weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance schedules.
• Verify the accuracy and completeness of maintenance records, technician labor reporting, inspection documentation, and completed work orders.
• Coordinate refrigeration system shutdowns, repairs, upgrades, and installation projects with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and other affected departments.
• Evaluate new equipment, technology, maintenance practices, and system improvements.
• Ensure replacement parts, tools, materials, and critical spare components are available to support refrigeration operations.

• Model and enforce company safety policies, environmental requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), HACCP procedures, and all other applicable company policies.
• Ensure refrigeration systems are operated and maintained in accordance with company requirements and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Lead and maintain refrigeration-related compliance programs, including Process Safety Management (PSM), Risk Management Plan (RMP), and applicable IIAR standards.
• Maintain accurate Standard Operating Procedures, inspection records, maintenance documentation, training records, and compliance files.
• Ensure the department remains prepared for customer, corporate, insurance, environmental, and regulatory inspections.
• Schedule and coordinate required system inspections, audits, testing, and compliance activities.
• Participate in and provide leadership during refrigeration-related emergency response activities.
• Investigate refrigeration incidents, equipment failures, safety concerns, and compliance deficiencies; identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Safety, Environmental, Quality, Maintenance, and Operations personnel to proactively address risks and improve compliance.
• Ensure contractors and vendors comply with…