Industrial Maintenance Technician

Company Overview

Frick’s Quality Meats is a 5th generation American family-owned company based in Washington, Missouri, specializing in artisan smoked meats and sausages. Our commitment to quality and craftsmanship is reflected in our GFSI compliance and AA certification, which represent the highest standards in the food industry.

Summary

This role is responsible for performing preventative and corrective maintenance on facility equipment, with a strong emphasis on PSM-regulated ammonia refrigeration systems and boiler operations. The technician will ensure compliance with safety regulations, maintain optimal equipment performance, and support continuous plant operations.

Primary Duties / Essential Functions:

Refrigeration System Maintenance

• Inspect, maintain, and repair refrigeration units, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, and associated components.
• Conduct routine preventive maintenance on refrigeration equipment to prevent breakdowns and ensure optimal performance.
• Monitor refrigerant levels, pressures, and temperatures to identify and address issues promptly.
• Perform emergency repairs and troubleshooting to minimize downtime.

Facility Maintenance & Safety Compliance

• Conduct routine inspections of building systems and equipment to identify maintenance needs.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including equipment history and repair logs.
• Prepare reports on equipment performance and maintenance activities as required.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and environmental regulations while performing maintenance tasks.
• Follow established safety protocols and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Maintain company and product reputation by complying with OSHA, USDA, and other governmental agencies.
• Ensure that safety and sanitation procedures are documented and available to all personnel.
• Actively practice safety and cleanliness in all aspects of the job.
• Know and practice proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• As necessary, direct or instruct on proper safety and sanitation practices and use of safety and sanitation equipment.

Teamwork & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the team effort by working with associate members to ensure policies and procedures are properly followed.
• Collaborate with other maintenance team members to address facility-wide maintenance concerns.
• Support improvement by discussing equipment needs and modifications with the Plant Engineer and Maintenance Supervisor.
• Working with and operating many different hand and power tools on a daily basis is possible.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision or as part of a team of Technicians.
• Offer assistance when needed and ask for it when required to maintain an efficient production process.
• Sustain a constant sense of urgency and high employee morale.
• Participate in training or continuing education programs to enhance industry knowledge and techniques.
• Project a positive attitude and uphold Frick’s Quality Meats, Inc. values of integrity, transparency, teamwork, service, and quality.
• Ability to work overtime as required by production needs.
• Other duties as may be assigned by Supervisor.

Technical Competencies:

• Ammonia Refrigeration Knowledge – Understanding of PSM-regulated ammonia refrigeration systems, including operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Boiler Operation & Maintenance – Ability to operate, inspect, and maintain low- and high-pressure boilers safely and efficiently.
• Mechanical & Electrical Troubleshooting – Strong ability to diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance – Experience implementing preventative maintenance programs to optimize equipment lifespan and minimize downtime.
• Regulatory Compliance – Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, USDA, and PSM safety regulations and requirements.
• Blueprint & Schematic Interpretation – Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and manuals to perform repairs and installations.
• Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) – Experience using CMMS for logging maintenance activities and tracking equipment performance.
• Process Safety Management (PSM) Compliance – Ability to adhere to and assist with PSM activities, including documentation, audits, and safety protocols.
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) & Confined Space Entry – Knowledge of and adherence to LOTO, confined space, and PPE safety protocols.
• Sanitation & Food Safety – Understanding of food safety principles, sanitation procedures, and compliance with USDA regulations.

Soft Skills & Behavioral Competencies:

• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking – Ability to quickly analyze issues and implement effective solutions to keep production running efficiently.
• Communication & Collaboration – Strong verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with maintenance team members, plant leadership, and external vendors.
• Teamwork & Leadership – Ability to work independently and as part of a team while contributing to a positive and productive work environment.
• Adaptability & Flexibility – Willingness to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment, including overtime, weekends, and emergency maintenance situations.
• Attention to Detail – Ability to identify and address potential issues proactively to prevent costly breakdowns or safety hazards.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset – Commitment to learning new skills, participating in training, and seeking ways to enhance operational efficiency.

Additional duties that support our company mission “to delight customers and families with high-quality products and unmatched service” may be assigned.

Requirements

• Stand: Must be able to remain standing 75% of the time
• Walk: Needs to occasionally move about inside the facilities to inspect products
• Exposure to work: Works in temperature range of -5 to 120 degree internally and externally
• Carry weight, lift: Occasionally lifts tools and equipment weighing up to 80 pounds
• Twisting, turning and bending: Moves production tools and equipment weighing up to 80 pounds around production facility
• Use hands/fingers to handle or feel: Constantly inspects, repairs, removes and replaces machinery and other production equipment
• Climb or balance: Ascends/descends stairs and ladders to access and work on machinery and equipment
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: Constantly positions self to inspect materials and quality processes
• Talk/hear: Frequently communicates with co-workers and supervisor(s) regarding maintenance needs and projects; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• See: Must be able to identify defects and inspect machinery and equipment
• Smell: Able to detect ammonia

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED (Required)
• Technical Degree or Certification in Industrial Maintenance, HVAC, Refrigeration, Boiler Operations, or a related field (Preferred)
• RETAmar, CARO, or CIRO Certification (Preferred for ammonia refrigeration roles)
• Boiler Operator Certification (Preferred but not required)
• EPA Refrigeration Certification (Preferred)
• Additional training or certification in Process Safety Management (PSM), OSHA Safety Standards, or Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures is a plus.

Experience:

• 3 years of experience in industrial maintenance, preferably in a meat processing or food manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of PSM-regulated ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Certification or experience operating and maintaining boilers.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
• Understanding of lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, and other industrial safety protocols.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) is a plus.

If you are passionate about maintaining high-quality standards in food production and want to be part of a dedicated team, we encourage you to apply today at Frick’s Quality Meats!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.00 - $34.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 – 52 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $26 - $34