Sr. Asset Manager, Refrigeration

Join Our Community of Food People!

The Senior Asset Manager - Refrigeration is responsible for the strategic management, reliability, lifecycle planning, and operational performance of industrial refrigeration assets across the company?s food distribution network. This role provides leadership for ammonia (NH3) and Freon-based refrigeration systems supporting temperature-controlled warehouses, freezer facilities, and distribution centers. This role drives long-term asset strategies, capital planning, maintenance programs, and refrigeration modernization initiatives across the network.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Refrigeration Asset Strategy & Lifecycle Management

• Develop and execute refrigeration asset management strategies for ammonia and Freon refrigeration systems.

• Lead lifecycle planning, asset condition assessments, replacement strategies, and long-range capital planning for refrigeration infrastructure.

• Establish asset performance standards, reliability metrics, and maintenance governance programs across the network.

• Maintain refrigeration asset inventories, system documentation, and critical equipment records.

Operational Reliability & Performance

• Drive refrigeration system reliability, uptime, temperature compliance, and operational performance across distribution facilities.

• Analyze refrigeration system performance data, maintenance trends, and operational KPIs to identify risks and improvement opportunities.

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives for major refrigeration failures and recurring operational issues.

• Support critical refrigeration incidents, emergency response coordination, and operational recovery efforts.

Regulatory Compliance & Safety

• Ensure refrigeration operations comply with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR, environmental, and food safety regulations.

• Partner with Compliance to support Process Safety Management (PSM) programs and refrigeration safety initiatives.

• Support audits, inspections, compliance reporting, and management of change (MOC) processes.

• Drive continuous improvement in refrigeration safety standards, operational procedures, and risk mitigation practices.

Capital Projects & Modernization

• Partner with Engineering and Supply Chain teams on refrigeration capital projects, facility expansions, and modernization efforts.

• Develop technical standards and asset specifications for refrigeration equipment and systems.

• Support project prioritization, budgeting, vendor selection, commissioning, and operational handoff activities.

• Evaluate emerging refrigeration technologies, sustainability initiatives, and energy reduction opportunities.

Vendor & Service Provider Management

• Manage relationships with refrigeration contractors, OEMs, service providers, and equipment manufacturers.

• Develop service standards, preventative maintenance expectations, and vendor performance metrics.

• Negotiate service agreements and support enterprise refrigeration sourcing strategies.

• Ensure consistency and standardization of refrigeration support practices across facilities.

Financial & Energy Management

• Develop and manage refrigeration maintenance and capital budgets.

• Identify opportunities to optimize operating costs, energy consumption, and asset utilization.

• Support utility management and sustainability initiatives related to refrigeration operations.

• Analyze total cost of ownership and return on investment for refrigeration assets and upgrades.

• Other duties as assigned by manager.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal Relationships:The Senior Asset Manager partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Environmental Health & Safety, Food Safety and Finance.

• External Relationships:Coordinates with refrigeration contractors, equipment suppliers, and service providers. Interacts with regulatory agencies for inspections, audits, and compliance support.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Travel to multiple distribution centers as needed.

• Combination of office, warehouse, and field environments, including refrigerated and frozen areas.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 years of experience managing refrigeration systems or facilities in food distribution, cold storage, or manufacturing.

• Strong understanding of ammonia and Freon refrigeration systems, HVAC, and industrial mechanical equipment.

• Experience with CMMS and asset tracking systems.

• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, USDA, FDA, and PSM standards.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor?s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Facilities Management or related field, or equivalent work experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• RETA CIRO, PSM and/or EPA Section 608 Certification

• Experience with large-scale refrigerated distribution or automated cold storage facilities.

• Experience supporting sustainability, refrigerant conversion, or energy optimization initiatives.

• Project management certification

• Maximo experience

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Standard required physical activities including length of time performing each activity.

This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus.?

?Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: .

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between

$110,000 - $175,000

***EOE?? Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual?Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***