Harvest Food Group
East Chicago, IN
Pay: $35-$49/hr
Shift: Full-time
[Source: Indeed] COMPANY OVERVIEW At Harvest Food Group (HFG), our mission is to create products that make a positive impact on the world. HFG is a private equity–backed company headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, with a brand-new, state-of-the-art production facility in East Chicago, Indiana. JOB SUMMARY The Maintenance Technician – Ammonia Refrigeration & Facilities - 2nd Shift will support Harvest Food Group’s production operations by ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of industrial ammonia refrigeration and facility utility systems within a food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing refrigeration, HVAC, boiler, compressed air, and related building systems critical to food safety, product quality, and operational continuity. This position requires a strong technical aptitude to manage both software and hardware aspects of industrial automation while ensuring compliance with safety and food quality regulations, such as GMPs and HACCP. The position requires strong mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration technical expertise, with a proactive focus on preventive maintenance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Strict adherence to OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), GMPs, HACCP, SQF, USDA/FDA standards, and internal safety protocols is essential. RESPONSIBILITIES Ammonia Refrigeration Operations: Operate, monitor continuously, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial ammonia refrigeration systems including compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, piping systems, and alarm/detection systems. Perform system walkdowns, monitor trend data, and respond to operational deviations Preventive Maintenance & Inspections: Conduct scheduled inspections and planned preventive maintenance (PMs) including oil analysis, water chemistry testing, leak detection, filter replacements, belt adjustments, and operational checks, as well as other necessary requirements, on machinery to foresee potential problems and ensure equipment longevity. Maintain accurate PM records and documentation Facility Utility Systems Support: Maintain and troubleshoot HVAC systems, boilers, compressed air systems, wastewater support equipment, fire protection systems, heat trace systems, and related infrastructure. Support production uptime by ensuring facility utilities operate reliably Troubleshooting & Repair: Diagnose and repair complex electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, refrigeration equipment and control system issues to minimize production downtime while maintaining safety and product integrity Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate documentation of all maintenance activities, software changes, electrical and ammonia refrigeration schematics. Ensure all work aligns with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR standards, GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), and food safety standards including HACCP, SQF and USDA/FDA regulations. Complete work orders, SOP updates, inspection reports, and safety documentation within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) System Installation & Commissioning: Collaborate with engineers, safety and production teams to install new equipment and control systems, including field commissioning and startup procedures Continuous Improvement & Reliability: Monitor system efficiency, identify equipment reliability risks, analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), and propose modifications or upgrades to existing automation to improve processes and identify cost-saving initiatives. Participate in capital projects, equipment upgrades, and system optimization effort Training & Support: Provide training and technical support to operations and other maintenance personnel on automated systems and new equipment operations Contractor Coordination & Projects: Support installation, startup, and commissioning of new refrigeration and utility equipment. Ensure contractors adhere to Harvest Food Group safety and food safety standards Emergency Response & Safety: Promptly respond to refrigeration system alarms, ammonia releases, or facility utility emergencies. Participate in HazMat response and safety programs as required REQUIREMENTS Education: A technical diploma or relevant certification in industrial maintenance, HVAC/R, industrial refrigeration, mechanical or electrical systems required. RETA Certification (CARO or CIRO) required Experience: Prior experience of 2-5+ years in a manufacturing or industrial maintenance facility with hands-on experience in ammonia refrigeration systems is required Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and supporting utilities required. Proficiency in electrical troubleshooting capabilities including motor controls, PLC interfaces, programming, setup, troubleshooting and instrumentation is essential. Strong electrical knowledge and the ability to read and interpret techni