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Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Nation's third-largest poultry producer

Refrigeration Technician Lead

Full-Time
$36.35/hr
Mid
St Pauls, NC, USA
In Person
Building TradesHVAC & Building Systems

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • NOCTI HVAC/Refrigeration Level 1, 2, and 3 certification is required.
  • The candidate must pass the NOCTI HVAC/Refrigeration Level 4 test.
  • A minimum of three years of experience running, maintaining, and repairing ammonia refrigeration equipment is required.
  • Intermediate mathematics and computer skills are required.
  • Expert knowledge and understanding of all functions and components of ammonia refrigeration equipment are required.
  • Thorough knowledge of relevant electrical and general mechanical systems is required.
  • The candidate must be able to work unsupervised and self-motivate.
  • The candidate must be able to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shift hours.
  • The candidate must follow departmental and company safety policies and programs.
  • The candidate must wear personal protective equipment in areas where required.
  • The candidate must be able to stand for up to eight hours, lift up to 60 pounds, and frequently reach, bend, stoop, kneel, and crawl.
  • The candidate must be able to roll and push buggies weighing approximately 1,000 pounds.
  • The candidate may be exposed to heat, cold, wet and dusty environments, and raw animal odors.
Responsibilities
  • Maintain, operate, inspect, and repair ammonia refrigeration equipment for a poultry processing plant.
  • Perform preventative and predictive maintenance and periodically test and inspect equipment to verify operation within manufacturer specifications and tolerances.
  • Troubleshoot equipment problems and repair them as needed.
  • Perform all work in compliance with company policies, NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines, and local, state, and federal policies, laws, and regulations.
  • Independently manage the daily operations of the ammonia refrigeration compressor room.
  • Follow blueprints and diagrams to diagnose complex problems and repair units.
  • Take and record required system readings, understand the implications of variances, and report them to the appropriate personnel or leader.
  • Identify the root causes of complex mechanical system issues and repair them, or notify appropriate personnel when unable to complete repairs.
  • Perform routine predictive and preventative maintenance on equipment as needed or scheduled.
  • Identify unsafe conditions and correct them or report them when unable to do so independently.
  • Direct the work of others and serve as a point of contact for questions and concerns about task performance in the absence of a supervisor or superintendent, at their direction.
  • Verify that blueprints, operating manuals, and procedures are current as needed.
  • Train entry-level personnel.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

About the company

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is a large poultry producer that raises and processes chicken for retail, foodservice, and other customers. It operates 23 facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas, and employs more than 26,000 people. It offers a broad portfolio of brands, including WAYNE FARMS, SANDERSON FARMS, COVINGTON FARMS, PLATINUM HARVEST, CHEF’S CRAFT, and NAKED TRUTH, with both fresh and further-processed chicken. The company focuses on affordable, high-quality poultry and emphasizes integrity and responsible farm and workplace practices to serve customers and communities.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Oakwood, Georgia

Founded

2022

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The July 2025 Harrison Poultry acquisition expanded Wayne-Sanderson's Georgia footprint and capacity.
  • September 2026 Mercy Chefs shipments prove operational flexibility across disasters and regions.
  • May 2026 Mississippi State feed mill backing strengthens talent pipelines, research ties, and feed innovation.

What critics are saying

  • The DOJ's January 18, 2025 enforcement motion targets Agri Stats data-sharing and monitorship violations.
  • The 2022 consent decree still burdens management and can extend into 2026 court remedies.
  • Any adverse antitrust ruling could trigger deeper pricing scrutiny, damages, and supplier distrust across poultry.

What makes Wayne-Sanderson Farms unique

  • Wayne-Sanderson is the nation's third-largest poultry producer, with 24 facilities and 27,000 employees.
  • Its vertically integrated network spans hatcheries, feed mills, processing plants, and 2,000 farm partners.
  • The Sanderson brand's 2024 AI chatbot shows unusual consumer-facing experimentation inside a commodity producer.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Company News

Poultry Producer
Jul 28th, 2025
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Acquires Harrison Poultry, Expanding Its Footprint in Georgia - Poultry Producer

Wayne-Sanderson Farms, one of the largest vertically integrated poultry producers in the U.S., has announced the acquisition of Harrison Poultry, solidifying its presence in Georgia and expanding operational capacity across […]

PR Newswire
Jan 19th, 2025
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Seeks Relief From Court Against Recent Actions By The U.S. Department Of Justice

OAKWOOD, Ga., Jan. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne-Sanderson Farms today filed its own motion seeking clarity and relief from the court that its participation in the industry-standard Agri Stats subscription service is lawful and permitted. This was necessitated by unprecedented actions taken by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. At 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning, the Division filed a motion seeking to declare the Company in violation of the Consent Decree and to force the Company to abandon its longstanding use of the industry benchmarking service Agri Stats

PR Newswire
Jun 4th, 2024
Sanderson Farms Brand Debuts Industry-First Artificial Intelligence Chicken Chatbot Tool

Latest Innovation by Wayne-Sanderson Farms Brand Enhances Online Customer ServiceOAKWOOD, Ga., June 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- What if instead of having to search online for ideas on what to do with the fresh chicken in the fridge, consumers could ask the experts at Sanderson Farms® for specially-crafted recipes and inspiration for their next meal? This is where the revolutionary new artificial intelligence (AI) Chicken ChatBot comes in. Affectionally known as "Sandy" and powered by OpenAI's API for ChatGPT, consumers can start a chat on the Sanderson Farms website for quick cooking tips, fast recipe finds, helpful serving suggestions, and more. Meet Sandy our new chatbot. "We are proud to introduce Sandy, the first-ever chicken chatbot tool, to answer just about any question as it relates to recipes and cooking tips," said Hilary Burroughs, Vice President of Marketing for Wayne-Sanderson Farms. "We hope consumers find Sandy to be polite, witty and helpful, just like a good friend, to discuss all things chicken."When visiting the Sanderson Farms website, consumers will be prompted to start a chat with Sandy to answer their chicken queries. Sandy is equipped to share delicious chicken recipes based on the unique details provided, and can make recommendations for specific dietary needs and preferences, like gluten-free, Keto, and low-fat