Division Manager, Refrigeration Engineering
Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA
Compensation: $160,000 - $200,000
Travel: Approximately 30–40% throughout Washington and Alaska
Summar
yThe Division Manager, Refrigeration Engineering will oversee the operation, maintenance, safety, compliance, and performance of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems across multiple Trident Seafood facilities. This role provides leadership for refrigeration teams supporting facilities with ammonia refrigeration systems ranging from approximately 10,000 to 66,000 pounds of ammonia, including blast freezers, tunnel freezers, warehouse freezers, and related refrigeration infrastructure
.The successful candidate will serve as the company’s technical and operational leader for refrigeration systems, ensuring compliance with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements, developing operator training programs, and driving consistent refrigeration standards across all locations
.This position is responsible for overseeing refrigeration operations across multiple facilities, supporting plant leadership, ensuring regulatory compliance, and developing refrigeration personnel throughout the organization
.This is a highly specialized industrial ammonia refrigeration leadership role. Candidates with only HVAC or Freon-based refrigeration experience will not be considered
.
Key Responsibiliti
es· Participate in strategic planning for facility improvements, expansions, renovations, and refrigeration system upgrade
s.· Identify and drive process improvements, operational efficiencies, and procedural enhancements across refrigeration operation
s.· Ensure all refrigeration maintenance activities are completed within budget while meeting operational KPIs and reliability target
s.· Manage and monitor the performance of refrigeration teams across multiple location
s.· Oversee compliance with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements and ensure all ammonia refrigeration safety standards and protocols are maintaine
d.· Collaborate with regulatory agencies and internal stakeholders to ensure permits, inspections, and compliance requirements remain curren
t.· Maintain budgets, capital improvement requests, and documentation related to refrigeration repairs, upgrades, and system performanc
e.· Travel approximately 30–40% throughout Washington and Alaska to support refrigeration operations, conduct facility inspections, evaluate equipment performance, and provide leadership to local team
s.· Monitor vendor performance, contractor relationships, and service agreements related to refrigeration operation
s.· Ensure all operational areas maintain a safe working environment and comply with company health, safety, and environmental standard
s.· Effectively lead and manage refrigeration personnel across multiple facilities to ensure delivery of operational objectives and performance standard
s.· Develop and implement standardized training programs for Refrigeration Operators (Operator I, Operator II, and senior personnel) across all ammonia refrigeration facilitie
s.· Conduct periodic inspections of refrigeration systems, high-value equipment, and specialized tool
s.· Communicate departmental goals, expectations, and performance metric
s.· Ensure adherence to refrigeration maintenance processes, procedures, and best practice
s.· Meet regularly with facility leadership teams to support operational needs and refrigeration system reliabilit
y.· Partner with Human Resources and local management teams to address staffing, training, performance, and succession planning need
s.· Ensure compliance with all applicable legal regulations, company policies, and refrigeration industry standard
s.
Additional Responsibilit
ies· Acquire knowledge of Trident’s Environmental and Safety Policies through required training programs and designated work activiti
es.· Notify designated personnel of environmental or safety incidents, hazards, or risks in accordance with company policies and safety procedur
es.· Support emergency response planning, incident investigations, and corrective action initiatives involving refrigeration systems when requir
ed.· Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout all refrigeration operatio
ns.
Qualificat
ionsRequ
ired· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Technical Operations, Industrial Technology, or a related discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experie
nce.· 8–10+ years of industrial ammonia refrigeration experie
nce.· 5+ years of experience managing refrigeration operations across multiple facilities or locati
ons.· Experience managing remote teams and geographically dispersed operati
ons.· Strong understanding
of:o Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Sys
temso OSHA Process Safety Management (
PSM)o Mechanical Integrity Prog
ramso Refrigeration Safety and Compliance Requirem
entso Emergency Response and Risk Manage
ment· Proven experience leading, training, and developing refrigeration operators and technical person
nel.· Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving ski
lls.Prefe
rred· Current RETA Certification (CIRO, CARO, CRST, or equivale
nt).· Experience within seafood processing, food manufacturing, protein processing, cold storage, or industrial manufacturing environme
nts.· Experience supporting refrigeration systems ranging from 10,000 to 66,000+ pounds of ammo
nia.· Experience with blast freezers, tunnel freezers, warehouse freezers, and large-scale industrial refrigeration operati
ons.
Work Enviro
nment· Based in the Greater Seattle Area, with regular travel to facilities throughout Washington and Al
aska.· Travel is expected approximately 30–40% of the
time.· Work will be performed in manufacturing, processing, cold storage, and industrial environm
ents.· Exposure to refrigeration equipment, production machinery, varying temperatures, wet conditions, and elevated noise levels may o
ccur.
Physical Requir
ements· Ability to travel regularly between facil
ities.· Ability to walk production floors, cold storage facilities, and industrial environments for extended pe
riods.· Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and access refrigeration equipment areas when req
uired.· Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 p
ounds.· Ability to perform facility inspections in industrial and manufacturing environ
ments.
Importa
nt NoteThis role requires deep expertise in industrial ammonia refrigeration. HVAC, commercial refrigeration, or Freon-only backgrounds are not sufficient. Candidates must have direct experience operating, maintaining, or managing large industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and multi-site refrigeration oper
ations.
