Refrigeration Technician

WAWONA FROZEN FOODS

ABOUT THIS COMPANY

We pride ourselves on being family-owned and operated and treating our employees like family. Working at a company where safety and quality are top priorities. Every day, Wawona Frozen Foods' commitment to excellence justifies its reputation for delivering superior quality, value, and service. Wawona's state-of-the-art production methods and facilities ensure consistent high-quality products - all while maintaining the highest food safety standards as required by the USDA and state regulators.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Refrigeration Technician plays a key role in supporting the efficient and safe operation of Wawona Frozen Foods' refrigeration systems. This position is responsible for performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on equipment while working closely with the department lead or supervisor to achieve daily, weekly, and monthly production goals. The technician monitors systems for proper performance and proactively addresses or escalates any issues to prevent operational disruptions.

DUTIES INCLUDE

• Actively participate in Wawona Frozen Foods' safety programs to help maintain a safe and injury-free workplace.

• Attend required training and company meetings to support individual and organizational development.

• Comply with all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, Food Safety, Food Defense, and SQF standards and procedures.

• Promptly identify and report any issues or concerns and take appropriate action within the scope of responsibilities.

• Consistently wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Maintain open communication with the lead, supervisor, or manager regarding work progress, equipment deficiencies, and any critical information that could affect safety or performance.

• Serve as an active member of the facility's HAZMAT team.

• Perform intermediate-level ammonia system tasks, including system assessments, troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance, with guidance for critical tasks as needed.

• Perform Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) on various equipment, including repair or replacement of bearings, bushings, shafts, gearboxes, and lubrication tasks.

• Demonstrate entry-level knowledge of electrical work and the ability to read schematics and engineering drawings.

• Prepare routine reports and work-related correspondence in English.

• Inspect systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, or needed repairs, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes and standards.

• Collaborate effectively within the department and with other teams as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the department supervisor or manager.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with refrigeration systems in a food manufacturing or comparable industrial environment.

• RETA I or RETA II certification preferred.

• Demonstrated intermediate-level knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems, including the ability to perform assessments, troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance under guidance for complex tasks.

• Completion of required safety training, including Ammonia Systems Safety, Lockout/Tagout, HAZMAT, Confined Space Entry, Hot Work, PIT, SDS/Chemical Safety, and NFPA 70E.

• Familiarity with RMP/PSM programs, including system configuration, emergency contacts, and evacuation procedures.

• Ability to read, write, follow instructions, and distinguish similarities and differences.

• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

• Ability to maintain high standards of quality while performing repetitive tasks and wearing required PPE.

• Strong attention to detail and accurate recordkeeping practices.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Strong work ethic, self-motivation, and a positive, proactive attitude.

• Strict adherence to GMP guidelines and company policies.

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines.

• Ability to build rapport and work effectively with employees at all levels.

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and understanding instructions in English; bilingual Spanish skills are a plus.

• Punctuality and reliable attendance are required.

• Ability to understand and follow company color-coding rules and procedures.

• Competency in using computer applications such as Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

LOCATION & SHIFT INFO

• This position will work out of our Cedar location.
• Ability to work weekends and overtime as needed.

BENEFITS

• Full time employees are eligible to participate in our competitive benefit package which includes a generous 401k with company match, medical, dental and vision benefits, employer paid life insurance, employee assistance program, and voluntary life, cafeteria 125 flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Wawona Wednesday's, End of Season Appreciation Events, T-shirts and Hats, Employee of the Month
• You'll have the opportunity to work with great people and make a real impact - while being your unique, authentic self at work.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY

• We learn together. We believe in supporting all employees with all the training, resources, and tools to be successful. We invest in our people, we learn together, we take the time to train, and we grow together. We celebrate OUR people and want each employee to have a long career with Wawona Frozen Foods.
• We focus on building and keeping relationships, going above and beyond, and offering world-class service. Empowering each team member to make Wawona Frozen Foods better every day, come up with improvements and suggest suggestions, and help us be innovative. We are proud of our history and want to continue to leave a legacy.
• Wawona Frozen Foods promotes a work environment that encourages problem-solving, collaboration, and a culture of growth. We roll up our sleeves, we get dirty, we exemplify true grit, and we support each other because we truly care about our people.
• We pride ourselves on having a diverse team matching our diverse product base. We have an inclusive culture where different professional and personal perspectives, ideas, and suggestions are respected and welcomed.
• We pride ourselves on the fast-paced environment that our season creates, and we recognize that if it was not for our people working hard that we would not be as successful.
• We strive to deliver the best fruit products available and to be a valued partner in every one of our customer's successes.
• We take the time to build a relationship with our customers and make sure we are producing and delivering the best products specific to your needs.

PHYSICAL AND/OR MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Work in an environment where there can be medium to loud noise and cold temperatures.
• Frequent stand and walk, and use of hands, fingers, and arms to pull, reach, twist, and lift. Ability to sit and use a computer as needed.
• Will spend most of the day standing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, twisting, or crawling.
• Ability to talk or hear instructions over machinery, equipment, and other processing equipment.
• A fast-paced environment that requires high attention to detail and minimal down time.
• Occasional lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as buckets, boxes, pails, etc. Lifting requirement: Must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs. independently.
• Other duties as assigned requiring repetitive tasks, duties, or assignments.
• Work flexible/varying schedules to support the team and deadlines.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• You may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts, extreme cold, and vibration. Exposure to smell of cleaning products and agents for the sanitation of equipment and machinery regularly.
• Wear appropriate personal protection equipment and adhere to dress code as outlined for working in a food manufacturing facility.
• Cannot be allergic to fruit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applicants must be fully authorized to work in the U.S. and physically be in the U.S.

Wawona Frozen Foods is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected factor.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

NOTICE TO RECRUITERS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, AND/OR VENDORS

Please note that Wawona Frozen Foods does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or vendors. Without a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Wawona Frozen Foods will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. If a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without Wawona Frozen Foods' authorization, Wawona Frozen Foods is without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Wawona Frozen Foods. Verbal commitments from any Wawona Frozen Food employees will not be considered binding terms. This applies to all Wawona Frozen Foods locations and offices. It is the responsibility of all third-party recruiters and vendors to know this policy.