Corporate Refrigeration and Utilities Manager

Description

As employees of a farmer-owned cooperative, we come to work every day trying to honor the tireless effort and care these farming families put in every day, all day, 365 days a year. Our farmer-owners tend to think in generations, with some of our farms being run by the same families for over a century. We carry this approach into our business, knowing that each and every one of us makes a difference in allowing these generational traditions to continue, taking pride in knowing that we nourish our friends, neighbors, nation, and even the world with healthy and delicious dairy products. Our products include milk, flavored milk, yogurt, dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, Italian cheese, and ice cream mix marketed under the Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk® brands.

Job Summary:

Our Engineering department is seeking a talented individual to join us as a Corporate Refrigeration and Utilities Manager. In this role you would be responsible for supporting our plants in the upkeep, inspection, and troubleshooting of all refrigeration and utility systems ensuring that the systems are in good operational state and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

This individual will report through Engineering and help ensure that our systems in all plants are operating in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Conduct routine inspections on existing equipment, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels, boilers, electrical and piping systems.

Investigate new technologies helping to move systems into the future, following regulatory guidance and sustainable practices.

Work with the plants in developing Capital Projects furthering the life of systems and replacements of outdated equipment and systems.

Active role in performing preventative maintenance on our plant’s utility systems creating action plans to get systems into good working condition.

Help the plants in perform troubleshooting activities to diagnose and resolve issues with systems, including leaks, electrical and mechanical failures, and control system malfunctions.

Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, equipment performance, and inventory levels.

Respond promptly to service calls and emergency situations, taking appropriate measures to minimize downtime and ensure the safety of personnel and property.

Collaborate with plant, engineering and safety teams to complete necessary maintenance, implement system upgrades, equipment modifications, and process improvements.

Adhere to all applicable regulations, codes, and safety standards governing the handling and operation of ammonia, halocarbon, and CO2 refrigeration systems.

Be a mentor to our maintenance teams taking an active role in growing our systems knowledge across the organization through relationships and caring.

Knowledge & Skills – Required

Vocational or technical training in ammonia refrigeration required.

Certification as an Ammonia Refrigeration Technician (e.g., RETA CARO, CIRO) or Skilled Tradesman card highly desirable.

10 plus years of experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of industrial refrigeration systems, with a focus on ammonia-based systems.

Strong understanding of refrigeration principles, thermodynamics, and pressure vessel safety.

Strong understanding and working knowledge of boiler systems.

Strong understanding and working knowledge of electrical and control systems.

Strong ability to train and mentor others.

Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings, schematics, and equipment manuals.

Ability to use specialized tools and diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and repair refrigeration systems.

Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Commitment to workplace safety and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.

Communicate effectively through verbal and written means.

Must be a culturally fit to our organization meeting our Core Values in Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Making a Difference, Safety, and Accountability.

Confidentiality

The Corporate Refrigeration and Utilities Manager may be exposed to and entrusted with confidential information relative to production methods, customers, and company strategy.

Management Responsibility

The Corporate Refrigeration and Utilities Manager is an individual contributor role that operates under the leadership of the Engineering team and guidance from our EHS Team.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts, high speed and processing equipment; exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals at times; is frequently exposed to moderate to high noise levels in the work environment. Must be able to see, grasp hold, walk, climb, bend, and stretch, lift up to 40 lbs. Will spend significant time in the production environment where temperatures fluctuate, floors may be wet, and noise is a constant factor.

There is 50-70% travel expected in this role regionally.

Pay: $115,000 – $140,000 a year

The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)