Lead Refrigeration Technician

Position: Lead Refrigeration Technician

Department: Maintenance

Reports To: Maintenance Manager

Salary Type: Non-exempt

Location: Jackson, GA

Groupe Bonduelle is a company that is making a positive impact

Groupe Bonduelle is the world leader in ready-to-use plant-rich food. By joining our company you will have an opportunity to make a positive and sustainable impact on yourself, others and the planet. You will play an active part in our mission to inspire the transition toward a plant-rich diet to contribute to people's well-being and planet health.

Groupe Bonduelle Fresh Americas is the U.S. business unit of France based Groupe Bonduelle (BON.PA). We are the first business unit of Groupe Bonduelle to become a Certified B Corporation. We operate three processing facilities throughout the U.S. and employ nearly 3,000 Associates who focus on producing and bringing to market fresh vegetable products, prepared salads and plant-rich meal solutions.

Groupe Bonduelle is a 170 year old French family-owned company that has been at the forefront of plant based food innovations since 1853. Our ready-to-use plant-rich food products are grown on 168,000 acres by our grower partners and marketed in nearly 100 countries. The company currently employees more than 11,000 Associates globally.

Position Summary:

Lead refrigeration team, refrigeration coil cleaners, refrigeration mechanics and cogen operator, into providing services to the entire Irwindale team to ensure safe and effective operation of our utilities equipment such as: Refrigeration System, Electricity, Water, Steam and Cogeneration System.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform duties safely and encourage safe practices throughout Irwindale
  • Inspect safety switches and safety guarding on all pieces of production equipment
  • Perform Lock-Tag-Clear-Try procedures on all pieces of production equipment
• Install and maintain climate-control systems.
• Repair, upgrade and maintenance of the refrigeration systems.
• Ensure the optimal operation of the Cogeneration System
• Walkthroughs in the Cogen Rooms to ensure all the standards are being made.
• In charge of pulling data and information to fill SCAQMD and any other agencies
• Diagnose problems to existing systems
• Ensure all work and work orders is input in Tofino System
• Make sure wrench time is at 95% or above
• Perform repairs to existing utilities equipment such as water pumps, boilers, air compressors, etc.
• Troubleshoot, replace parts, run tests to ensure the systems are working properly following repairs.
• Perform upgrades to satisfy new regulations or meet new standards.
• Operating tools, gauges, and other testing equipment for refrigeration systems.
• Follow GMP/PPE, Safety guidelines
• Follow & maintain HACCP & Sanitation guidelines & processes
• Effectively communicate (verbally and in writing to complete required documentation)
• Implement facility services portion of all work orders
• Work safely around moving equipment & conveyors in wet environment
• Perform preventive maintenance and repair duties
• Work to implement and assist in the coordination of all minor building moves
• Perform repair and maintenance work of minor complexity to building furnishings, fixtures and finishes
• Coordinate work to assist contractors and vendors employed to perform repair and maintenance work and moves of moderate to high complexity
• Maintain safe work environment
• Work in a fast paced environment
• Maintain inventory of tools required to provide services
• Work with little supervision to complete tasks in the allotted time frame
• Work with department technicians, staff, and management to maintain inventories of parts, materials, and equipment required
• Assist with various building inspections and audits
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Make sure that the refrigeration team takes their lunches and breaks on time without losing insight to production issues.
• Lead the passdown meetings for the next shift
• Bring safety awareness to his shift members
• Coordinate with the refrigeration team to free up resources to accommodate time into a W.O. or a PM
  • Perform preventative maintenance (e.g., inspection, alignment, cleaning, lubrication, lifecycle management) according to the equipment’s technical manual and manufacturer’s specifications
  • Follow W.O. process to ensure maintenance structure is effectively followed
  • Perform corrective maintenance (e.g., fault isolation, corrective action, research/selection of parts) to reduce downtime
• Perform the following general maintenance tasks:
  • Electrical: Isolate simple faults and replace motors, switches, sensors and other minor electrical devices
  • Plumbing: Select materials and install piping for a wide variety of purposes (e.g., air, water/liquids, products)
  • Pneumatic systems: Troubleshoot pneumatic systems (including basic solenoid maintenance)
  • Machining: Perform simple machining operations (e.g., drilling, tapping, broaching sprockets, grinding, polishing) to proper specification
  • Work orders: Analyze and complete work orders
  • Parts research: Look up parts in technical manuals, vendor catalogs and the internet
• Understand general operating concepts for the Irwindale facility:
  • The post harvest/packaging operation
  • The packaging process flow
  • The sanitation process and how to improve it to maximize the reliability of the machine
  • The data collection system for the production lines and how to input data, understand reports, and take appropriate corrective action
• Perform maintenance tasks within projected timeframe
• Must satisfactorily pass all required technical and safety training required for this role.
• Adhere to security expectations and report any security risks

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Physically able to repeatedly lift a 40-pound cases of product

Desired Qualifications:

• +10 years previous refrigeration experience (preferably ammonia)
• Effective at communication and interaction with production personnel
• Strong mechanical aptitude

Physical Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, this position entails use of ladders and catwalks to reach production equipment, regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to extreme cold for extended periods of time. The associate frequently works in high, precarious places. The associate is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Bonduelle Fresh Americas does not require employees to be COVID-19 vaccinated and/or boostered at this time, but does require disclosure of vaccination status and supporting documents. Bonduelle Fresh Americas reserves the right to modify any internal policies, including safety policies, as needed and in compliance with all applicable laws.

Bonduelle Fresh Americas is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a workforce that truly reflects our communities. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to veterans and individuals with disabilities or special needs during the application process and employment. If you need assistance, please contact us at 626-856-8686 or bfa-info@bonduelle.com.