Maintenance Manager - Refrigeration

About the role

The Maintenance Manager leads the refrigeration service and maintenance function, keeping client systems such as cold rooms, blast freezers, supermarket display cases, ice makers, chillers and process refrigeration plants running reliably, safely and cost-effectively. The role combines hands-on technical leadership with commercial responsibility for quotations, client relationships and team performance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and develop a team of refrigeration technicians, assistants and a service coordinator, including toolbox talks, weekly planning and monthly one-on-ones, and approve timesheets, overtime and leave
• Develop and maintain the annual planned preventive maintenance (PPM) calendar, issue job cards and spare-parts lists, run the 24/7 call-out roster and track KPIs in the CMMS
• Prepare technical quotations for repairs, retrofits and PPM contracts, negotiate with suppliers and OEMs, and support invoicing, retention release and debt collection
• Act as main contact for maintenance-contract clients, carry out site visits and quarterly reviews, resolve complaints and pursue renewals and up-sells
• Maintain fast-moving spares, plan refrigerant procurement in line with NEMA ozone-depleting substances regulations, and approve purchase requisitions within delegated limits
• Submit a monthly maintenance report to the General Manager and drive continuous improvement through service checklists, performance dashboards and energy-efficiency proposals

Required profile

• Diploma or higher diploma in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Mechanical or Electromechanical Engineering, plus government trade test / NITA certification and certified refrigerant handling training
• Minimum 3 years' hands-on experience in commercial and industrial refrigeration, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or service-management role, preferably with a refrigeration contractor in Kenya or East Africa
• Experience with cold rooms, blast freezers, chillers and ice machines; ammonia or CO2 experience is an advantage
• Valid Kenyan Class B/C/E driving licence, certificate of good conduct and fluency in English and Kiswahili

Required skills

• Vapour-compression cycle, electrical controls, PLC/temperature controllers and reading P&IDs and single-line drawings
• Quotation preparation, costing and basic P&L awareness
• Leadership, client handling and computer literacy (Excel, Word, Outlook, CMMS)