Refrigeration Mechanic- Montgomery MN

Refrigeration Technician

Location: Montgomery, MN

Facility Type: Seasonal food manufacturing, canning, and cold storage

Employment Type: Full-time, hourly

Please note for our refrigeration mechanic position, we are looking for an engine room operator/mechanic that has history working with ammonia compressors. The ideal candidate would already have been through ammonia operator 1 or 2 class and/or HAZWOPER training. This is not a requirement for the position but something we would like to see.

Openings: 1

Union Status: Non-union

Role Overview

This is a critical industrial refrigeration role supporting food production, freezing, and cold storage operations at Seneca's Montgomery facility. Refrigeration reliability directly impacts food safety, product quality, and plant uptime , especially during pack season.

This role supports ammonia-based industrial refrigeration systems , not light commercial HVAC. The ideal candidate understands the difference and is comfortable working in a high-responsibility, high-accountability environment .

The position follows the same seasonal schedule structure as the maintenance team , with long hours and rotating shifts during pack season and a stable off-pack schedule the rest of the year.

Schedule & Shift Structure

Off-Pack Season (Approx. October-May)

• Monday-Thursday
• 6:00am-4:30pm
• Focus on inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, and system readiness

Pack Season (Approx. June-September)

• 12-hour rotating shifts required
• 6:00am-6:00pm
• 6:00pm-6:00am
• Weekends required as production dictates
• Night shift work is non-negotiable during peak season

Recruiter note: This role must be comfortable with schedule volatility and long pack hours .

Pay

• $28.00-$32.00/hr , based on refrigeration experience and industrial background
• Strong industrial ammonia or large-scale refrigeration experience may place higher in range
• Paid hourly
• Significant overtime opportunity during pack season

Core Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, and troubleshoot industrial refrigeration systems supporting production and cold storage
• Work safely with ammonia-based systems (industrial refrigeration environment)
• Support freezer warehouse and cold storage operations
• Diagnose mechanical and system issues under production pressure
• Perform preventive maintenance and system inspections
• Respond to refrigeration-related downtime events during pack
• Ensure compliance with:
• Food safety standards
• GMPs
• Environmental and safety regulations
• Document work performed and maintenance activities accurately
• Collaborate closely with maintenance, production, and leadership teams
• Provide day-off relief or limited support to other departments during pack season when needed

Candidate Profile That Wins Interviews

Strong Fits

• Industrial refrigeration technicians
• Ammonia refrigeration backgrounds
• Industrial HVAC professionals who understand large-scale systems
• Candidates from food manufacturing, cold storage, or heavy industrial environments

Not a Fit

• Residential HVAC only
• Light commercial HVAC only
• Candidates unfamiliar with ammonia systems or industrial safety expectations

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on refrigeration experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Understanding that ammonia systems differ from Freon-based systems
• Strong mechanical and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions
• Willingness to work:
• Nights
• Weekends
• Extended hours during pack season
• Strong communication skills and team mindset
• High integrity, accountability, and safety awareness

Preferred Qualifications

• 2-year vocational degree in refrigeration or HVAC, or equivalent hands-on experience
• Experience in food manufacturing or cold storage facilities
• Familiarity with GMPs and regulated production environments

Work Environment

• Industrial food manufacturing and cold storage facility
• Exposure to:
• Cold environments
• Noise
• Moving equipment
• Refrigeration systems
• PPE required, including hearing and eye protection

Why This Role

• Refrigeration reliability is mission-critical at this plant
• High trust and high responsibility role
• Strong off-season schedule with predictable hours
• Significant earning potential during pack season
• Long-term stability for technicians who succeed through pack
• Team-oriented culture with hands-on leadership and clear expectations