Senior Manager of Refrigeration

Reser's Fine Foods•Topeka, KS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This role provides leadership and technical oversight for industrial refrigeration systems across multiple manufacturing facilities, ensuring safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective operation of ammonia refrigeration systems. This role serves as a key leader in refrigeration reliability, Process Safety Management (PSM), regulatory compliance, mechanical integrity, maintenance strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives. Working closely with plant maintenance, engineering, operations, safety, environmental, and quality teams, the Senior Manager, Refrigeration drives execution of refrigeration standards, supports capital projects, develops technical talent, and ensures alignment with corporate refrigeration and process safety objectives. The position serves as a subject matter expert in refrigeration operations while providing leadership for PSM compliance and risk-reduction efforts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Safety, Industrial Technology related field preferred. Equivalent work experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
10+ years of experience with industrial refrigeration systems, including ammonia-based systems.
Experience supporting multi-site operations, preferably in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience leading PSM programs in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Ability to travel up to 30% as business needs require.
Advanced knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems.
Strong understanding of OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, and IIAR requirements.
Expertise in refrigeration maintenance, reliability practices, and mechanical integrity programs.
Knowledge of refrigeration controls, automation systems, and system optimization.
Experience with root cause analysis methodologies and reliability-centered maintenance principles.
Understanding of capital project execution and refrigeration system lifecycle management.
Knowledge of emergency response requirements associated with ammonia refrigeration systems.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, project management, and organizational skills.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, technical specifications, and regulatory requirements.
Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

IIAR certification, RETA CIRO/CM, or PSM‑specific certifications preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the safe and reliable operation of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems across assigned facilities.
Support implementation of enterprise refrigeration standards, specifications, and best practices.
Drive refrigeration system reliability through process safety, operational excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance programs.
Serve as a technical resource for complex refrigeration troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action development.
Support development and execution of refrigeration capital projects, equipment upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
Evaluate refrigeration technologies that improve safety, efficiency, sustainability, and system performance.
Monitor refrigeration performance metrics and identify opportunities for optimization and risk reduction.
Assist in the development of annual operating and capital budgets related to refrigeration assets.
Oversee contractor performance and ensure adherence to company safety and operational requirements.
Support emergency response readiness and provide technical leadership during refrigeration-related incidents or investigations.
Lead facility refrigeration audits, assessments, and operational reviews.
Lead and develop refrigeration technicians, mechanics, engineers, and compliance personnel.
Establish clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations for assigned teams.
Provide technical mentoring and career development opportunities to team members.
Collaboration among Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Environmental functions to ensure refrigeration systems support business objectives.
Workforce planning, succession planning, and technical competency development efforts.
Participate in hiring, training, performance management, and employee development activities consistent with company policies.
Ensure compliance with OSHA Process Safety Management (29 CFR 1910.119), EPA Risk Management Program (40 CFR Part 68), IIAR standards, and applicable state regulations.
Lead or facilitate Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), action item tracking, and completion of corrective actions.
Ensure Management of Change (MOC) processes are consistently executed and documented.
Ensure operating procedures, P&IDs, safety documentation, and compliance records remain accurate and current.
Lead internal compliance audits and support regulatory inspections and third-party assessments.
Ensure contractor compliance with PSM requirements and site safety procedures.
Support PSM training programs for maintenance, refrigeration, operations, and contractor personnel.
Monitor PSM key performance indicators and maintain audit-ready compliance systems across assigned facilities.
Establishes and communicates strategic plans and clear performance objectives for the team to achieve, ensuring understanding and buy-in. Ensures team members have the resources, information, and support needed to achieve objectives.
Supports the development and career growth of team members by providing opportunities to learn, regular and timely performance feedback, and coaching, ensuring succession planning is in place for the team.
Managerial responsibility for staff employment decisions in accordance with company policy.
Performs special projects and other related duties, as assigned.