Utilities & Refrigeration Maintenance Supervisor

Job DetailsJob Location: DemKota Ranch Beef - Aberdeen, SD 57401Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: High School or GEDJob Shift: AnyDemKota Ranch Beef is seeking an experienced, leadership-driven Utilities & Refrigeration Maintenance Supervisor to oversee our facility’s critical utility infrastructure,operations, and specialized industrial refrigeration systems. This multi-focus supervisory role is directly responsible for leading the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of our high-pressure steam  (boilers, air compressors, water systems) and our extensive, unique industrial Freon-based refrigeration infrastructure critical to heavy process cooling. The supervisor will lead a 24/7 team of powerhouse utilities technicians and specialized Freon refrigeration operators, coordinating preventive maintenance (PM) schedules, managing technical logs, and ensuring maximum operational uptime to support our production, harvest, and fabrication floors.     Key Responsibilities 1. Personnel Leadership & Shift Management Supervise, schedule, train, and mentor a diverse team of powerhouse utility technicians and specialized industrial Freon refrigeration technicians across a 24/7 continuous operation. Foster a strong culture of safety, ensuring team adherence to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols. Evaluate technician performance, coordinate technical skills development training, and manage labor hours to optimize operational efficiency. 2. Industrial Freon Refrigeration Systems Oversight Direct the daily operation, inspection, troubleshooting, and precision repair of the facility's massive high-capacity industrial Freon-based refrigeration infrastructure, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, and motors. Oversee advanced mechanical and electrical diagnostics on the refrigeration equipment, including high-voltage diagnostics, complex motor control systems, split systems, localized coolers, and automated controls. Ensure strict compliance with EPA refrigerant handling regulations, ensuring meticulous tracking, logging of refrigerant use, leak detection protocols, and logbook maintenance. Review and accurately interpret technical manuals, advanced system diagrams, and complex refrigeration/electrical schematics to guide technicians through overhauls and piping modifications (welding/soldering). 3. Powerhouse, Steam, & Water Utilities Oversight Oversee the operation, mechanical maintenance, and safety of high-pressure boilers, deaerators, feedwater pumps, and steam distribution systems. Manage the plant’s compressed air systems, including industrial rotary screw air compressors, inline filtration, and refrigerated air dryers. Direct the water treatment program, monitoring makeup water systems, water softeners, and reverse osmosis (RO) systems to eliminate scaling and piping corrosion. 4. Carcass Cooler Spray & Shrinkage Control Ensure strict maintenance, inspection, and mechanical optimization of chilled water spray systems (including nozzles, headers, solenoids, and booster pumps) in the hot boxes and carcass storage coolers. Actively manage chilled water delivery through routine plant rounds to control and minimize carcass shrinkage while beef is being stored prior to hitting the fabrication floor for production. 5. Maintenance Execution & CMMS Tracking Plan, prioritize, and assign preventive maintenance (PM) and corrective work orders through the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) across all utility and Freon sectors. Troubleshoot complex mechanical, thermal, and hydraulic system issues alongside technicians to minimize production downtime and protect product yield. Manage utility parts inventory, source critical vendor components, and oversee external contractors during specialized maintenance shutdowns. QualificationsQualifications & Experience Requirement Type Description   Education High School Diploma or GED required. Technical degree, trade school certificate, or formal apprenticeship in industrial refrigeration or mechanical maintenance strongly preferred. Professional Experience Minimum of 5 years of hands-on maintenance experience in industrial utilities, with at least 2–3 years in a leadership, supervisory, or lead technician role. Prior experience managing high-capacity industrial Freon or utility systems in a meat packing or heavy food processing facility is highly preferred. Technical Certifications EPA Section 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling License (Required). State, Municipal, or National High-Pressure Boiler Operator / Stationary Engineer License preferred. Core Competencies Deep technical comprehension of high-pressure boilers, industrial rotary screw air compressors, high-tonnage industrial Freon systems (DX and flooded), high-voltage electrical diagnostics, and motor control systems. Proficiency with CMMS software.   Physical Requirements & Work Environment Environment: Exposure to extreme variable temperatures, ranging from hot boiler rooms to wet, chilled carcass coolers, blast freezers, and roofs. High noise areas requiring hearing protection. Physical Demands: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during plant rounds, lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders/stairs, and access elevated utility racks. Availability: Must be available to support a 24/7 operation, providing guidance during off-shifts and responding to emergency call-ins if critical utility or Freon refrigeration systems malfunction.   Benefits Package Competitive Salaried Compensation 401(k) with Company Matching Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Health Savings Account (HSA) Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays