Ammonia Refrigeration Reliability Technician (Level II)

What a day looks like

You arrive with a mindset to keep the plant humming. You start by reviewing preventive maintenance plans, walking the line, and listening for anything out of tune across ice makers, compressors, heat exchangers, pumps, condensers, and both ammonia and Freon refrigeration systems. If a line stalls, you troubleshoot fast—reading schematics, dissecting root causes, and restoring flow. You place parts orders before inventories dip, and you’ll even jump in to operate processing machinery when it helps reduce downtime.

Before lunch, you might coach a teammate on safe tool use, map a value stream to tackle a bottleneck, and visually check production quality—clarity, cube size, and hole spacing. In the afternoon, you knock out minor facility repairs (bulbs, paint, small structural fixes), complete safety checklists, and document countermeasures from a quick A3. You close the day ensuring equipment is ready for the next run and that supplies are stocked.

How you drive continuous improvement

You demonstrate True North behaviors—voice of the customer, respect for every person, direct and fact-based communication, and servant leadership. You lead and participate in Kaizen events and value stream mapping, apply lean tools (VSM, Kaizen, A3), and turn findings into measurable process improvements for customers, employees, and shareholders.

Core responsibilities

• Execute preventive maintenance, troubleshoot, and repair production and facility equipment using blueprints, schematics, and technical documentation.
• Operate processing equipment when needed to improve processing times and minimize downtime.
• Maintain readiness: ensure machinery is functional and supplies are available; manage ordering and inventory of repair parts and service equipment.
• Evaluate ice product quality (clarity, cube dimensions, hole spacing) and take corrective action as needed.
• Apply advanced root cause analysis; conduct basic data analysis to identify causes and implement countermeasures.
• Perform light facility/grounds work (bulb changes, painting, minor structural repairs).
• Coach others on safe, correct use of tools and equipment for general maintenance.
• Assist with product bagging as needed and occasionally coordinate production workflow based on equipment output.
• Handle basic electrical/electronic maintenance independently; adhere to stringent electrical and chemical safety practices.
• Complete required safety checklists; proactively identify, monitor, and correct industrial health and safety issues.
• Surface continuous improvement opportunities to the Operations Manager; perform other duties as assigned.
• Model the Code of Business Ethics and uphold a personal commitment to safety.

Essential mental functions

• Read and interpret English safety rules, operating/maintenance instructions, and procedures.
• Remain constantly alert and work safely, without fatigue impairing performance.
• Accurately judge time and distance; quickly store and recall short-term instructions.
• Maintain concentration for tasks requiring high cognitive judgment; respond effectively to sudden changes, alarms, or emergencies.
• Demonstrate a committed, safety-first attitude; possess quick reflexes, solid coordination, and rapid response to stimuli.
• Be free from mental or physical impairments that would compromise safe, competent performance; respond promptly to changing operating conditions.

Collaboration

Internal: Plant Manager, plant team members, Regional VP, VP Engineering
External: Vendors and contractors

Supervision: Individual contributor with no direct reports; may help direct production workflow on occasion. Maintain a professional approach with vendors, suppliers, and contractors while demonstrating commitment to Reddy Ice’s values and priorities.

Qualifications

Required

• 6–8 years in industrial maintenance.
• One of the following certifications:
  • Journeyman Certification/License in Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical (State Certifying Authority)
  • Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator (Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association)
  • Certified Maintenance Technician Level III (International Maintenance Institute)
  • Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals)

Preferred

• 8+ years in industrial maintenance.
• Completion of two of the following:
  • Programmable Logic Controller Certification (Electronics Technicians Association International)
  • Journeyman Certification/License in Electrical, Plumbing, or Mechanical (State Certifying Authority)
  • Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator (Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association)
  • Certified Maintenance Technician Level III (International Maintenance Institute)
  • Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals)
  • High School diploma or GED

Experience profile

• Ammonia refrigeration: 5 years (Required)
• HVAC/R: 5 years (Preferred)
• Mechanical knowledge: 7 years (Preferred)
• Electrical: 7 years (Preferred)
• Industrial maintenance: 7 years (Preferred)

Proficiency: PLC troubleshooting, ammonia refrigeration systems, and conveyor chain replacement.

Working conditions

Work spans office spaces and all plant areas, including exposure to extreme temperatures, electrical hazards, ammonia, and heavy moving equipment. Nights and weekends are part of the schedule, with occasional travel; overtime may be required. The pace is fast and dynamic—success depends on stress management, collaborative relationships, sound judgment, attention to detail, and strong organization. You must be comfortable with hand and heavy electric tools and able to lift at least 45 lbs.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance