Refrigeration Tech

COMPANY OVERVIEW: Lawler Foods, a Dessert Holding company, is a leading manufacturer of gourmet cheesecakes, cakes and pies that are used in restaurants, hotels and other fine foodservice establishments around the world. Lawler Foods’ business has been built on the solid foundation of “home-made” taste and quality, using the finest natural ingredients to bake creamy cheesecakes, moist layer cakes, and grandmother-quality pies. The company operates out of Humble, Texas. Customers include national restaurant chains, wholesale clubs, and retail outlets in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. www.lawlers.com

SUMMARY: Responsible for all preventative maintenance (PM's), work order and emergency maintenance of all refrigeration related equipment, such as ammonia and freon equipment. Responsible for boilers, water heaters, air compressors, water treatment, and water softener equipment. Assists in coordinating and planning installation of new equipment. Responsible for safety and housekeeping, training of new employees, and cost control. Performs duties to meet agreed upon and expected performance standards

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Receive preventative maintenance and scheduled work orders.
2. Initiate work orders, and perform emergency work orders.
3. Coordinate outside contractors in areas of safety and responsibility.
4. Understand and perform emergency shut-down procedures in case of fire, tornadoes, power failure, and safety.
5. Understand and perform ammonia refrigeration system pump-down and system isolation when situations demand such action.
6. Proficiently troubleshoot mechanical and electrical related problems.
7. Troubleshoot and diagnose Freon air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.
8. Troubleshoot and diagnose 2-stage ammonia refrigeration systems and related equipment.
9. Inspect and diagnose air dryers, air compressors, and safety relief valves.
10. Repair malfunctions of compressors and performs major overhauls.
11. Check installation of replacement of motors, pumps, switches, safety controls, solenoids, fuses, and microprocessor units in all refrigeration related areas.
12. Inspect and diagnose freezer evaporative coils, intake, exhaust fans, and all ventilation fans.
13. Inspect Freon systems for refrigerant charge and lubrication levels, proper air flow, and defrost cycles.
14. Inspect and repair broken fittings, refrigeration pipes, and insulation.
15. Keep all written refrigeration records legible and updated.
16. Perform duties necessary to ensure that plant equipment operates continuously and effectively.
17. Perform other refrigeration related work as assigned (includes construction of new plant refrigeration facilities and/or maintenance of existing buildings and equipment).
18. Perform all duties in accordance with FSQ, company policy, and established procedures.
19. Maintain a clean work area.
20. Relate all problem to lead or supervisor responsible for shift when lead or supervisor is not available.
21. Support and participate in Total Quality Management.
22. Recognize and exhibit corporate values of hard work, enthusiasm, integrity, growth and helping others.
23. Work a standard 8-hour shift with one lunch break and two rest breaks. May be required to work overtime as scheduled.
24. Follow all safety procedures and wear PPE as required.
25. Understand and comply with GMP, HAACP, and Food Safety procedures.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Perform other work as apparent and/or assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Must have refrigeration schooling; or five years related experience preferred (Ammonia 2-stage and/or Freon refrigerants).

1. Must have welding and/or brazing experience.
2. Must be willing to be trained in Hazard Communication Program before starting job (new hires, bids, or transfers).
3. Electrical troubleshooting skills preferable.(Motor Control Circuits)
4. Must be willing to work, trouble shoot and repair microprocessor, PLC related to refrigeration controls.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

(INTERMEDIATE) Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

(MINIMUM) Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

REASONING ABILITY:

(BASIC) Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must past a driving and written motorized equipment test annually. This includes a complete check of the employees Motor Vehicle Record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 100 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
2. Work positions include walking, standing, climbing, and walking fast (run) in emergency situations.
3. Requires ability to perform tasks while stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and balancing and using reaching, handling, fingering, feeling, grasping, and repetitive motions. The employee must regularly talk, hear, and see.
4. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
5. Must take and pass pulmonary function test; will be required to take confined space training.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Must be able to work in manufacturing environment at temperatures of -20 to 120 degrees F.
2. Must be able to work outside in all climatic conditions.
3. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts/food processing equipment, works at heights of 10 feet above the ground to work on/operate equipment, and is regularly exposed to wet and humid conditions (slippery floors), extreme cold, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is frequently very loud.
4. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to low levels of odors and toxic conditions (industrial caustic chemicals and acids / ammonia.)
5. Must be willing to use personal protective equipment (hard hat, steel toe shoes, ear protection, gloves, back support belt, safety glasses, protective clothing, respirators, dust mask, etc.) while performing the duties of this job.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be able to pass job task physical and drug screen if working in Texas.
2. Must be 18 years of age or older.
3. If already employed, must have good work, attendance, and safety record with company.
4. Must be able to take and pass pulmonary function test.
5. If you are designated to operate motorized equipment, you will be required to take and pass both initial and annual testing to obtain a license as required by OSHA. You must have a valid state driver’s license and agree to a check of you driving record. This will be completed when you are designated and annually thereafter.