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Utilities Supervisor – HVAC and Refrigeration

Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

We are seeking a seasoned and results-driven Senior Utilities Supervisor – HVAC and Refrigeration to lead all aspects of HVAC and refrigeration utility operations in a food-grade environment. The role involves strategic planning, team leadership, regulatory compliance, and system optimization to ensure uninterrupted operation of critical utility infrastructure. The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge, supervisory experience, and an understanding of hygiene, food safety, and energy efficiency requirements.


Key Responsibilities:

1. Utilities Leadership & System Oversight

  • Lead operations and performance management of:

    • Centralized HVAC systems, chillers, AHUs, cooling towers

    • Refrigeration systems (Freon/ammonia-based), cold rooms, blast chillers/freezers

    • Supporting utilities (compressed air, steam, glycol, hot/chilled water)

  • Ensure HVAC and refrigeration systems maintain optimal environmental conditions to meet food safety and production needs.

2. Preventive, Predictive & Reliability Maintenance

  • Develop and enforce preventive maintenance schedules using CMMS tools.

  • Analyze trends and conduct root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring failures.

  • Drive reliability-centered maintenance strategies to improve uptime and reduce unplanned breakdowns.

3. Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

  • Ensure utility systems comply with HACCP, GMP, ISO 22000, FSSC, and internal quality standards.

  • Oversee control of temperature, air pressure, air filtration, and ventilation in production and storage zones.

  • Participate in internal/external audits and lead utility-related corrective action plans.

4. People Management & Development

  • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of HVAC/refrigeration technicians and contractors.

  • Conduct technical training, skill gap assessments, and ensure team competency in safety and food industry protocols.

  • Lead daily utility team meetings and manage performance KPIs.

5. Energy & Efficiency Management

  • Monitor energy consumption (electricity, refrigerants, compressed air) and implement efficiency-improving initiatives.

  • Recommend and support utility system upgrades, automation, and sustainability projects.

  • Track and report utility metrics such as energy intensity, refrigerant losses, and uptime ratios.

6. Emergency & Incident Management

  • Lead emergency response for utility-related incidents and participate in cross-functional crisis teams.

  • Conduct risk assessments, develop SOPs for critical failure responses, and lead post-incident reviews.

7. Documentation & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate documentation including SOPs, system logs, maintenance records, calibration data, and audit files.

  • Report utility performance, equipment health, energy consumption, and compliance updates to management.


Key Focus Areas:

  • Utility System Reliability & Equipment Uptime

  • HVAC and Refrigeration Performance in Cold Chain & Clean Zones

  • Compliance with Food Safety Standards (GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000)

  • Preventive and Predictive Maintenance Leadership

  • Team Development & Technical Supervision

  • Energy Optimization & Sustainability Planning

  • Emergency Readiness & Incident Management


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Refrigeration, HVAC Engineering, or related technical field.

  • Minimum 7+ years of experience in HVAC/refrigeration utilities, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or team lead role.

  • Strong knowledge of ammonia and Freon-based systems, chillers, AHUs, and automated utility control systems.

  • Proven experience in food processing, cold storage, dairy, beverage, or pharma industries.

  • Proficient in using CMMS, BMS, and maintenance monitoring systems.


Preferred Certifications:

  • EPA/ASHRAE or equivalent HVAC Technician Certification

  • Ammonia Refrigeration Safety Certification (if applicable)

  • Energy Management or Green Building Certification (preferred)

  • HACCP Level 2 or 3 (preferred)

Job Detail
  • Work Type: Full Time
  • Languages to be known : English
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • City: Dubai
  • Job Category : Food and Beverage