Process Safety Management Coordinator

About the role

Perdue Foods aims to be the most trusted name in premium proteins, creating products for consumers, retail, and food‑service customers worldwide while advancing humane animal‑raising practices. As part of the fourth‑generation, family‑owned Perdue Farms, the company’s culture is built on teamwork, integrity, respect, and inclusive growth. The Process Safety Management Coordinator will drive process safety excellence and utility reliability across a complex manufacturing environment, leading the facility’s PSM program and supporting critical utility systems such as ammonia refrigeration, boilers, HVAC, and compressed air.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Plant Process Safety Management (PSM) program.
• Operate, maintain, and upgrade ammonia refrigeration, CFC refrigeration, steam generating, compressed air, and HVAC systems.
• Manage ODS (Ozone Depleting Substance) usage, recovery procedures, and logging.
• Assist with boiler and pressure vessel inspections and certifications.
• Manage emergency response processes for environmental issues related to ammonia refrigeration.
• Assist the Utilities Manager in leading utilities programs and initiatives across all shifts.
• Lead internal PSM audits covering the 14 elements of PSM.
• Support preventive, corrective, predictive, and continuous‑improvement maintenance, as well as equipment overhauls and upgrades for ammonia control and utility equipment.
• Assist with development, training, and certification of hourly Utility Operators and Analysts.
• Develop and manage the plant PSM program.
• Identify and execute capital projects in the utility area.
• Coordinate ammonia best practices and facilitate continuous improvement within the Utility group.
• Interface with the Corporate Refrigeration Manager to align information across ammonia refrigeration facilities.
• Share ideas and practices with other facilities to support safe and efficient operations.
• Develop short‑ and long‑range planning for the Boiler and Refrigeration Department.
• Review and screen work requests for completeness, accuracy, and necessity.
• Examine jobs, consult with requestors and managers, and determine optimal execution methods.
• Visit job sites, analyze work, and use equipment history to assess prior performance.
• Detail and phase job requirements, select appropriate methods, sequence tasks, and define required skill sets.
• Establish crew size, man‑hours, materials, parts, and special tools needed.
• Estimate total labor, material, and external costs.
• Assemble planned job packages for review with the Maintenance Superintendent/Manager and requestor.
• Prepare detailed work orders and labor deployment plans by craft and skill.
• Purchase materials, obtain competitive bids, and monitor delivery dates.
• Coordinate schedules with the Superintendent to ensure preventive/predictive routines occur as planned.
• Schedule follow‑ups to determine compliance and address shortfalls.
• Maintain a computerized backlog file of work orders awaiting scheduling.
• Coordinate production to prioritize jobs and negotiate downtime windows.
• Perform all duties needed to maintain proper and efficient maintenance planning.
• Operate computers and programs to manage PSM, AutoCAD, CMMS (Maximo), Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other utility‑related software.
• Operate steam boilers, ammonia refrigeration equipment, air compressors, cooling towers, HVAC equipment, and powered industrial vehicles (pallet jacks, forklifts, man‑lifts, etc.).
• Ensure equipment is in safe, operable condition and follow all PSM guidelines.
• Handle materials valued at $500.00 or greater.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Strong working and technical knowledge of refrigeration, steam generation, compressed‑air generation, utility equipment, maintenance systems, equipment installation/start‑ups, and plant utility equipment.
• Effective collaboration with vendors and contractors.
• Ability to learn and apply company policies and procedures.
• Interpersonal and team skills to function as both team member and leader.
• Proficiency in Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Electrical troubleshooting skills related to refrigeration and HVAC controls.
• Technical direction in troubleshooting and repairing pneumatic and direct digital controls (DDC) on HVAC equipment.
• Strong working knowledge of water treatment for boiler feed water, cooling towers, and condensers.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience with PSM, refrigeration, and boiler operation.

Physical Requirements & Environmental Factors

• Lift maximum weight permissible by OSHA.
• Work in high heat, extreme cold, outdoors in all seasons, and inside buildings.
• Enter confined spaces and restricted areas; wear protective equipment including respirators or SCBA.
• Perform physical tasks such as climbing ladders and working on roofs.

Pay

Target hourly wage: $32.25 – $48.25 (based on shift, experience, and qualifications). Annual performance‑based bonus available. Overtime may be available.

Benefits

• Medical and prescription drug coverage.
• 401(k) with employer match after 1 year of service.
• Critical illness and accident insurance.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Life insurance and optional group life insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability protection.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Paid time off.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 6:00 pm. Alternate shifts may be required based on business needs.