Refrigeration Technical Manager

Department:              Engineering

Reports To:               Technical Manager

Location:                    UK

Employment Type:   Full-Time

Role Overview

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Refrigeration Technical Manager to support the operational performance, efficiency, and reliability of supermarket refrigeration systems. The role is responsible for conducting technical audits of refrigeration equipment and control systems across multiple retail sites, identifying performance issues, recommending corrective actions, and providing hands-on troubleshooting support when required.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical refrigeration knowledge with analytical problem-solving skills to ensure systems operate efficiently, comply with industry standards, and minimise energy consumption, downtime, and product loss.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Auditing

• Conduct comprehensive technical audits of supermarket refrigeration systems, including:
  • Pack systems
  • Integral refrigeration units
  • Cold rooms and freezer rooms
  • HVAC integration
  • Control systems and BMS interfaces
  • Heat reclaim and energy efficiency systems
• Evaluate system performance against operational and design specifications.
• Assess refrigeration plant efficiency, suction pressures, superheat, subcooling, compressor performance, and defrost operations.
• Review refrigerant usage, leak management, and environmental compliance.
• Produce detailed audit reports outlining findings, root causes, risks, and recommended corrective actions.
• Monitor and trend system data to identify inefficiencies, recurring faults, and opportunities for optimisation.

Troubleshooting & Technical Support

• Provide advanced fault-finding and troubleshooting support for refrigeration systems and controls.
• Diagnose issues relating to:
  • Compressors
  • Electronic expansion valves
  • Case controllers
  • Condensers and evaporators
  • Refrigerant flow and charge
  • Electrical and control systems
• Support field engineers and contractors with complex technical issues.
• Assist with emergency breakdown investigations and root cause analysis.
• Verify effectiveness of remedial works and system adjustments.

Performance & Compliance

• Ensure refrigeration systems comply with:
  • F-Gas regulations
  • Health & Safety requirements
  • Company engineering standards
  • Environmental and energy efficiency targets
• Support initiatives to reduce refrigerant leaks, energy consumption, and carbon emissions.
• Review contractor workmanship and maintenance standards.
• Identify opportunities for lifecycle improvements and capital upgrades.

Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

• Prepare clear technical reports and present findings to management and operational teams.
• Maintain accurate records of audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
• Liaise with store management, maintenance providers, and engineering teams to coordinate improvement activities.
• Provide technical recommendations for asset reliability and operational best practices.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Strong knowledge of commercial and supermarket refrigeration systems.
• Experience with CO₂, HFC, and hybrid refrigeration technologies.
• Proven experience in refrigeration fault diagnosis and system optimisation.
• Understanding of refrigeration controls and monitoring systems.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and refrigeration pipework drawings.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Recognised refrigeration qualification (City & Guilds, NVQ, or equivalent).
• F-Gas Certification.
• Experience with energy management and performance analytics.
• Knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS).
• Experience auditing supermarket refrigeration environments.
• Health & Safety qualifications (IOSH, CSCS, etc.).

Key Competencies

• Technical problem solving
• Attention to detail
• Analytical thinking
• Decision making
• Communication and reporting
• Time management
• Customer and operational focus
• Continuous improvement mindset

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel to supermarket and retail sites.
• Combination of office, remote, and field-based work.
• Participation in out-of-hours technical support may occasionally be required.

Success Measures

• Reduction in refrigeration system downtime.
• Improved energy efficiency and plant performance.
• Reduction in refrigerant leak rates.
• Quality and accuracy of audit reporting.
• Successful resolution of complex technical faults.
• Compliance with regulatory and company standards.