Job Description
Department: Operations
Reports To: Director of Operations
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Wage Range $105,000-$125,000 Per year (DOE)
POSITION SUMMARY
The Refrigeration Manager owns the refrigeration, cold storage, and controlled atmosphere (CA) systems at every Linda Fruit location. You will make sure our fruit is held at the right conditions from the day it is received until the day it ships, keep our ammonia systems safe and compliant, and lead the maintenance team that keeps the plant running.
This is a hands-on leadership role. You will spend your time in the machine rooms and CA rooms as well as at the desk, setting standards that are consistent across sites and developing the people who carry them out.
Job Duties
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Multi-site ownership. Take full responsibility for refrigeration, cold storage, and CA systems at all Linda Fruit facilities. Set common operating procedures, maintenance standards, and record-keeping practices so every site is run the same way.
- Storage conditions. Maintain temperature, humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide settings by variety and room, working from direction given by Quality and Operations. Monitor, log, and trend conditions, and respond quickly to alarms, including after hours during the season.
- Preventive and predictive maintenance. Build and run a maintenance program for compressors, condensers, evaporators, valves, vessels, controls, CA equipment (gas analyzers, nitrogen generation, scrubbers), and room tightness testing. Reduce unplanned downtime.
- Ammonia safety and compliance. Keep our ammonia systems compliant with applicable OSHA Process Safety Management and EPA Risk Management Program requirements and Washington L&I rules. This includes mechanical integrity, management of change, hazard reviews, emergency response planning, lockout/tagout, respirator and PPE programs, and required reporting.
- Food safety and audits. Support customer, food safety, and organic audits with accurate refrigeration and CA records, and correct findings promptly.
- Lead the team. Build, hire, train, schedule, and coach Maintenance Technicians and refrigeration operators. Set the on-call rotation and site coverage, hold people to our safety standards, and build a bench of cross-trained operators.
- Vendors and contractors. Select and manage outside refrigeration, controls, and electrical contractors and other third-party service providers. Confirm work is done to standard and that contractors follow our safety rules.
- Budget, energy, and capital. Manage the refrigeration and maintenance budget, forecast spare parts, and track energy use. Recommend capital projects and pursue utility efficiency incentives where available.
- Systems and records. Keep work orders, inspection records, and equipment histories current in our maintenance system, and report on uptime, cost, and open risks to the Director of Operations.
- Safety culture. Lead by example on safety, take part in the safety committee, investigate incidents and near misses, and make sure corrective actions are completed.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 7 or more years of industrial refrigeration experience, including hands-on work with ammonia systems
- 2 or more years leading or supervising technicians or operators
- Working knowledge of OSHA PSM and EPA RMP requirements and of lockout/tagout
- Ability to troubleshoot compressors, controls, and PLC- or computer-based refrigeration systems
- Strong record-keeping and communication skills, with comfort using computers and maintenance software
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between facilities
- Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and on call during harvest and peak season
Preferred
- Controlled atmosphere storage experience with apples or other tree fruit
- RETA (CARO/CIRO) certification or IIAR training
- Experience managing multiple sites or an outside contractor program
- Bilingual English/Spanish
- Trade school, apprenticeship, or associate degree in refrigeration, mechanical, or related field
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Work in machine rooms, cold rooms, and CA rooms, in cold, loud, and wet conditions and in warm outdoor equipment yards
- Climb ladders and stairs, work at heights and in confined spaces, and lift up to 50 pounds
- Pass a medical evaluation and respirator fit test, and wear required PPE, including a respirator
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The pay range for this position is $105,000 to $125,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications, plus a 10% target annual discretionary bonus. This position is exempt and salaried. We also offer:
- Medical coverage and other group benefits; 401(k) with a 4% employer match
- Paid time off and six paid holidays; company-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
- Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares, as required by law