Job Title: Refrigeration and Cold Chain Control Engineer
Job Summary:
The Refrigeration and Cold Chain Control Engineer Manager is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement of refrigeration and cold chain systems that maintain the integrity of temperature-sensitive products in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. This role involves managing a team of engineers, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, troubleshooting complex issues, and driving energy efficiency initiatives. The Manager will be accountable for the operational performance, efficiency, and reliability of cold chain systems while optimizing processes to meet business goals and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Team Management:
- Lead and manage a team of refrigeration and cold chain engineers, providing mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Set clear performance goals for the team, conduct regular performance reviews, and ensure team alignment with organizational objectives.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture, promoting innovation and continuous improvement within the team.
System Design, Integration, and Optimization:
- Oversee the design, installation, and optimization of refrigeration and cold chain control systems, including compressors, evaporators, sensors, temperature monitoring systems, and alarms.
- Ensure that systems are integrated effectively with other production, storage, and logistics systems to maintain optimal temperature control and product quality.
- Develop strategies to improve system performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability while minimizing costs and resource consumption.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Assurance:
- Ensure all refrigeration and cold chain systems comply with industry regulations and safety standards, such as those set by OSHA, EPA, ISO 9001, and FDA.
- Lead compliance audits and inspections, ensuring that systems are regularly checked for adherence to relevant regulatory requirements.
- Monitor environmental and safety risks associated with refrigeration systems, ensuring safe handling and storage of refrigerants and other hazardous materials.
Project Management and Execution:
- Manage large-scale refrigeration and cold chain projects, ensuring timely completion, within budget, and in compliance with technical specifications.
- Oversee resource allocation, project timelines, and risk management for ongoing and future refrigeration system projects.
- Coordinate efforts across engineering, operations, production, and logistics teams to ensure successful system implementations or upgrades.
Troubleshooting and System Performance Monitoring:
- Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex refrigeration issues, including mechanical, electrical, and control failures, to minimize downtime and system disruption.
- Oversee the use of monitoring systems to track system performance, temperature deviations, and energy consumption, and take corrective actions as necessary.
- Analyze system data to identify trends and areas for improvement in system reliability, efficiency, and compliance.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Initiatives:
- Lead energy efficiency programs to reduce the energy consumption of refrigeration and cold chain systems without compromising performance or product quality.
- Advocate for the adoption of sustainable technologies, such as natural refrigerants and energy-saving refrigeration components, in line with environmental regulations.
- Develop and implement strategies to monitor and control energy usage across all refrigeration and cold chain systems.
Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support:
- Work closely with supply chain, logistics, production, and quality assurance teams to ensure that cold chain systems meet operational requirements for product storage and transportation.
- Provide technical support to other departments, addressing issues related to system performance, temperature control, and cold chain management.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align refrigeration and cold chain management strategies with company goals.
Budget and Resource Management:
- Develop and manage the budget for refrigeration and cold chain projects, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely procurement of materials and equipment.
- Monitor ongoing operational costs and resource allocation to ensure cost-effective solutions while meeting safety and performance objectives.
- Oversee procurement processes for refrigeration and cold chain equipment, ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.
Training, Development, and Knowledge Sharing:
- Lead training sessions for engineers, operators, and technicians on best practices in refrigeration, cold chain management, safety standards, and compliance regulations.
- Promote knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance the technical skills of team members and ensure that the latest industry practices and technologies are adopted.
- Stay updated on emerging refrigeration technologies, industry trends, and best practices to drive continuous improvements and innovation within the cold chain management process.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- In-depth knowledge of refrigeration systems, cold chain management, and temperature control technologies.
- Strong understanding of regulatory compliance standards and safety protocols (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO 9001, FDA).
- Proven experience in troubleshooting complex refrigeration system failures and implementing corrective actions.
- Expertise in project management, resource allocation, and team leadership for refrigeration system projects.
- Strong experience with system performance monitoring, data analysis, and continuous improvement techniques (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
- Ability to drive energy efficiency initiatives and implement sustainable practices in refrigeration systems.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Certifications in refrigeration, cold chain management, or energy efficiency (e.g., HVAC, Six Sigma, LEED) are highly desirable.
Experience:
- 7+ years of experience in refrigeration, cold chain systems, or HVAC systems, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
- Proven track record of managing large-scale refrigeration and cold chain control projects, ensuring compliance, and optimizing system performance.
- Experience with troubleshooting, system optimization, and energy efficiency programs in refrigeration systems is essential.
- Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and performance monitoring tools is highly desirable.
Tools and Technologies:
- Proficiency in PLC programming software (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell), SCADA systems, and industrial control systems.
- Experience with energy management systems and data analysis tools (e.g., Power BI, Excel, Minitab).
- Knowledge of refrigeration and cold chain performance monitoring tools (e.g., temperature data loggers, remote monitoring systems).
Other Requirements:
- Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead and motivate a team, manage projects, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and solve complex issues in refrigeration and cold chain control systems.
- Willingness to travel to manufacturing sites, warehouses, and other locations to oversee installations, troubleshoot issues, or optimize refrigeration systems.
- A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational performance in all cold chain systems.