Facilities Lead (Yuma Plants)

Posted on November 6, 2024

Department: Facilities

Reports to: Facilities Supervisor (Yuma) 

Starting Rate: $30.00 - $32.75 per hour

Location: Yuma, AZ

SUMMARY: The Facilities Lead is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of all plant equipment, systems, and facilities, including but not limited to refrigeration, electrical, pneumatic, and packaging equipment. In this role, your primary responsibility is to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable performance of all refrigeration and cooling equipment across all facilities, requiring technical expertise in industrial ammonia refrigeration. During the offseason, position will lead a small crew to revitalize the facility both aesthetically and mechanically, and oversee off-season projects across both facilities. Before transition (the move), position will ensure all equipment is operational and tested. This role also includes payroll responsibilities, supervising employees, and operating with minimal supervision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safety, Compliance, and Regulatory Knowledge

• Lock-Out/Tag-Out: Proficient in equipment Lock-Out/Tag-Out requirements.
• Government Regulations: Working knowledge of OSHA, FDA, GMP, HAACP requirements, and other government regulations as they pertain to maintenance activities at a food processing facility.
• Refrigeration Safety Protocols: Ensure compliance with refrigeration safety protocols, including proper handling and storage of ammonia and adherence to emergency response procedures.
  
• Documentation: Maintain accurate documentation of system performance, maintenance activities, and safety checks in compliance with regulatory and company standards.
  

Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

• System Operation and Troubleshooting: Oversee the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of ammonia refrigeration systems, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, and associated controls.
• Parameter Monitoring: Monitor and adjust refrigeration and cooling system parameters to maintain optimal temperatures for various processes and storage facilities.
  
• Preventive Maintenance: Perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance on refrigeration systems to ensure reliable operation and adherence to safety standards.
  
• Emergency Response: Respond to trouble calls and emergency conditions as needed.
  
• Repair Coordination: Coordinate with vendors for repairs, parts replacement, and routine servicing of refrigeration components as needed.
  
• Team Training: Train and mentor team members on refrigeration system operations, safety, and maintenance practices.
  
• Ammonia System Components: Operate and repair ammonia system components and electrical controls

Mechanical Systems and Maintenance

• Pumping Systems: Proficient in liquid pumping principles and able to read pump flow curves. Rebuild liquid feed pumps such as centrifugal and positive displacement pumps.
• Hydraulic Systems: Proficient in the operating principles of hydraulic systems; able to troubleshoot and repair mechanical components.
• Drive Fundamentals: Knowledgeable in mechanical drive fundamentals, including chain drive sprocket and gearbox ratios.
• Mechanical Component Replacement: Replace mechanical components of automated equipment.
• Gearboxes and Pumps: Rebuild gearboxes, power drives, centrifugal pumps, and replace mechanical shaft seals.
• Standard Tools: Proficient in the use of standard hand tools and power tools (e.g., wrenches, drills, grinders, impact wrenches)

Electrical Systems and Controls

• Diagrams and Component Identification: Ability to read electrical diagrams and identify individual components.
• Testing Equipment: Working knowledge of electrical testing equipment such as multimeters and meggers.
• High-Voltage Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot systems up to 480 volts, including complex electrical controls, and wire three-phase motors.
• Low-Voltage Control Circuits: Knowledgeable of low-voltage control circuits in automated equipment.
• PLC Functions: Understand and perform basic PLC functions, including uploading and downloading programs.
• Electrical Conduit: Run electrical conduit in compliance with code requirements.

Specialized Systems

• Sodium Hypochlorite and pH Buffer Injection: Proficient in Sodium Hypochlorite (Chlorine) and pH buffer (Smart Wash) injection systems.
• Bulk Nitrogen, Magnetic Flow Meters, and Compressed Air Systems: Proficient in bulk nitrogen systems, magnetic flow meters, and compressed air systems

Installation and Setup

• Equipment Installation: Install and set up equipment (drives, flow sensors, etc.) using vendor manuals and specifications.

Team and Contractor Coordination

• Equipment Installation: Install and set up equipment (drives, flow sensors, etc.) using vendor manuals and specifications.

Other Duties

• Order and purchasing of supplies
• Payroll support and supervision of crews (10-20 employees)

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• 5 years or more experience in a maintenance supervisory position within a produce processing plant or related manufacturer required
• RETA Certification (or ability to get a RETA Certification)
• Forklift Certification (Pass within one month of hire)
• Able to read/write in English and communicate in Spanish
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and good working knowledge of other Microsoft Office software
• Able to travel to and from San Juan Bautista, CA, San Luis, MX and other locations as required
• Willingness and ability to work occasional long and sometimes irregular hours including working night shifts, weekends and holiday hours
• Work with contractors, follow budget guidelines and timeline
• Team player who will exceed assigned responsibilities and assist others to reach objectives
• Strong oral and written communication skills to deliver technical information in an easily understood manner across all departments

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is exposed to a cold (34-36 degrees F) and wet manufacturing environment, the smell of chlorine, outside weather conditions, uneven walking surfaces, heavy machinery, forklift traffic and loud noise.

ANALYSIS OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Key (Based on typical week):
N=Never
R=Rarely (Less than 1 hour per week)
O=Occasional (1%-33% of time)
F=Frequent (34%-66% of time)
C=Constant (over 66% of time)

APPLICANTS:

Please send your resume to resumes@churchbrothers.com

Church Brothers Farms is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.