Sr. Asset Manager, Refrigeration

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About the role

The Senior Asset Manager - Refrigeration is responsible for the strategic management, reliability, lifecycle planning, and operational performance of industrial refrigeration assets across the company’s food distribution network. This role provides leadership for ammonia (NH₃) and Freon-based refrigeration systems supporting temperature-controlled warehouses, freezer facilities, and distribution centers. This role drives long-term asset strategies, capital planning, maintenance programs, and refrigeration modernization initiatives across the network.

Responsibilities

• Refrigeration Asset Strategy & Lifecycle Management
  • Develop and execute refrigeration asset management strategies for ammonia and Freon refrigeration systems.
  • Lead lifecycle planning, asset condition assessments, replacement strategies, and long-range capital planning for refrigeration infrastructure.
  • Establish asset performance standards, reliability metrics, and maintenance governance programs across the network.
  • Maintain refrigeration asset inventories, system documentation, and critical equipment records.
• Operational Reliability & Performance
  • Drive refrigeration system reliability, uptime, temperature compliance, and operational performance across distribution facilities.
  • Analyze refrigeration system performance data, maintenance trends, and operational KPIs to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
  • Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives for major refrigeration failures and recurring operational issues.
  • Support critical refrigeration incidents, emergency response coordination, and operational recovery efforts.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety
  • Ensure refrigeration operations comply with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR, environmental, and food safety regulations.
  • Partner with Compliance to support Process Safety Management (PSM) programs and refrigeration safety initiatives.
  • Support audits, inspections, compliance reporting, and management of change (MOC) processes.
  • Drive continuous improvement in refrigeration safety standards, operational procedures, and risk mitigation practices.
• Capital Projects & Modernization
  • Partner with Engineering and Supply Chain teams on refrigeration capital projects, facility expansions, and modernization efforts.
  • Develop technical standards and asset specifications for refrigeration equipment and systems.
  • Support project prioritization, budgeting, vendor selection, commissioning, and operational handoff activities.
  • Evaluate emerging refrigeration technologies, sustainability initiatives, and energy reduction opportunities.
• Vendor & Service Provider Management
  • Manage relationships with refrigeration contractors, OEMs, service providers, and equipment manufacturers.
  • Develop service standards, preventative maintenance expectations, and vendor performance metrics.
  • Negotiate service agreements and support enterprise refrigeration sourcing strategies.
  • Ensure consistency and standardization of refrigeration support practices across facilities.
• Financial & Energy Management
  • Develop and manage refrigeration maintenance and capital budgets.
  • Identify opportunities to optimize operating costs, energy consumption, and asset utilization.
  • Support utility management and sustainability initiatives related to refrigeration operations.
  • Analyze total cost of ownership and return on investment for refrigeration assets and upgrades.
• Other duties as assigned by manager.

Relationships

• Internal Relationships: Partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Environmental Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Finance.
• External Relationships: Coordinates with refrigeration contractors, equipment suppliers, and service providers. Interacts with regulatory agencies for inspections, audits, and compliance support.

Work Environment

• Travel to multiple distribution centers as needed.
• Combination of office, warehouse, and field environments, including refrigerated and frozen areas.

Requirements

• 5 years of experience managing refrigeration systems or facilities in food distribution, cold storage, or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of ammonia and Freon refrigeration systems, HVAC, and industrial mechanical equipment.
• Experience with CMMS and asset tracking systems.
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, USDA, FDA, and PSM standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field, or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• RETA CIRO, PSM, and/or EPA Section 608 Certification.
• Experience with large-scale refrigerated distribution or automated cold storage facilities.
• Experience supporting sustainability, refrigerant conversion, or energy optimization initiatives.
• Project management certification.
• Maximo experience.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Pre-tax spending accounts.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Life insurance.
• Annual incentive plan bonus.

To review available benefits, please visit US Foods Benefits.

Pay

The expected base rate for this role is between $110,000 - $175,000.