Approximately 30-40% throughout Alaska Summary The Division Manager, Refrigeration Engineering will oversee the operation, maintenance, safety, compliance, and performance of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems across multiple Trident Seafoods 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 Responsibilities Participate in strategic planning for facility improvements, expansions, renovations, and refrigeration system upgrades. Identify and drive process improvements, operational efficiencies, and procedural enhancements across refrigeration operations. Ensure all refrigeration maintenance activities are completed within budget while meeting operational KPIs and reliability targets. Manage and monitor the performance of refrigeration teams across multiple locations. Oversee compliance with OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements and ensure all ammonia refrigeration safety standards and protocols are maintained. Collaborate with regulatory agencies and internal stakeholders to ensure permits, inspections, and compliance requirements remain current. Maintain budgets, capital improvement requests, and documentation related to refrigeration repairs, upgrades, and system performance. Travel approximately 30-40% throughout Alaska to support refrigeration operations, conduct facility inspections, evaluate equipment performance, and provide leadership to local teams. Monitor vendor performance, contractor relationships, and service agreements related to refrigeration operations. Ensure all operational areas maintain a safe working environment and comply with company health, safety, and environmental standards. Effectively lead and manage refrigeration personnel across multiple facilities to ensure delivery of operational objectives and performance standards. Develop and implement standardized training programs for Refrigeration Operators (Operator I, Operator II, and senior personnel) across all ammonia refrigeration facilities. Conduct periodic inspections of refrigeration systems, high-value equipment, and specialized tools. Communicate departmental goals, expectations, and performance metrics. Ensure adherence to refrigeration maintenance processes, procedures, and best practices. Meet regularly with facility leadership teams to support operational needs and refrigeration system reliability. Partner with Human Resources and local management teams to address staffing, training, performance, and succession planning needs. Ensure compliance with all applicable legal regulations, company policies, and refrigeration industry standards. Additional Responsibilities Acquire knowledge of Trident's Environmental and Safety Policies through required training programs and designated work activities. Notify designated personnel of environmental or safety incidents, hazards, or risks in accordance with company policies and safety procedures. Support emergency response planning, incident investigations, and corrective action initiatives involving refrigeration systems when required. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout all refrigeration operations. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Technical Operations, Industrial Technology, or a related discipline and 5+ years of industrial ammonia refrigeration experience; OR 8-10+ years of industrial ammonia refrigeration experience in lieu of a degree. 5+ years of experience managing refrigeration operations across multiple facilities or locations. Experience managing remote teams and geographically dispersed operations.
Strong understanding of:
Industrial Ammonia Refrigeration Systems OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Mechanical Integrity Programs Refrigeration Safety and Compliance Requirements Emergency Response and Risk Management Proven experience leading, training, and developing refrigeration operators and technical personnel. Strong communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Preferred Current RETA Certification (CIRO, CARO, CRST, or equivalent). Experience within seafood processing, food manufacturing, protein processing, cold storage, or industrial manufacturing environments. Experience supporting refrigeration systems ranging from 10,000 to 66,000+ pounds of ammonia. Experience with blast freezers, tunnel freezers, warehouse freezers, and large-scale industrial refrigeration operations. Work Environment Based in Anchorage, AK (preferred) or the Greater Seattle Area, WA. Regular travel throughout Alaska is expected, approximately 30-40% of the time. Work will be performed in manufacturing, processing, cold storage, and industrial environments. Exposure to refrigeration equipment, production machinery, varying temperatures, wet conditions, and elevated noise levels may occur. Physical Requirements Ability to travel regularly between facilities. Ability to walk production floors, cold storage facilities, and industrial environments for extended periods. Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and access refrigeration equipment areas when required. Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Ability to perform facility inspections in industrial and manufacturing environments. Important Note This 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 operations. Preference will be given to candidates with leadership experience supporting industrial refrigeration operations in seafood processing, food manufacturing, cold storage, or similar industrial environments.
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$160,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year Application Question(s): How big are the ammonia refrigeration systems they've worked on?
