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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Ice Maker

💰 $ - $

HospitalityFood ProductionFacilitiesManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

The Ice Maker (Ice Machine Operator / Commercial Ice Technician) is responsible for producing, handling, and maintaining high-quality ice for hospitality, foodservice, retail, or industrial operations. This role combines hands-on operation of commercial ice machines, routine sanitation and preventive maintenance, quality control and HACCP-compliant handling, inventory management, and close coordination with kitchen, bar, facilities, and distribution teams. The ideal candidate demonstrates mechanical aptitude, strong food-safety knowledge, attention to detail, and reliable attendance to meet production schedules and health department standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Kitchen Porter / Steward
  • Line Cook or Bartender (with ice-handling responsibilities)
  • Facilities or Maintenance Assistant
  • Production Associate in food service or cold-chain environments

Advancement To:

  • Lead Ice Maker / Senior Ice Machine Operator
  • Production Supervisor / Beverage Supervisor
  • Facilities Maintenance Technician or Manager
  • Quality Control / Food Safety Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Refrigeration Technician
  • Food Production Operator
  • Warehouse/Distribution Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate commercial and industrial ice-making machines (cubers, flakers, nugget/chewable ice systems) to meet daily production targets, adjusting machine settings and cycles to optimize output and ice quality.
  • Conduct daily start-up and shutdown procedures for ice machines, ensuring proper water supply, filtration systems, and pump operation prior to production runs.
  • Perform routine cleaning, sanitation, and descaling of ice-making equipment and storage bins according to HACCP, state health code, and manufacturer-sanctioned cleaning schedules to prevent microbial contamination.
  • Log production volumes, machine run times, cleaning cycles, and water usage in production logs and electronic tracking systems for traceability and regulatory compliance.
  • Inspect ice for clarity, taste, odor, and contamination; discard off-spec batches and document nonconformance while investigating root cause and corrective actions.
  • Replace water filters, monitor water quality (TDS, chlorine, hardness), and collaborate with external water treatment vendors to ensure consistent potable water supply and safe ice production.
  • Troubleshoot mechanical, refrigeration, and electrical issues on ice machines, pumps, condensers, and feed systems; perform minor repairs and escalate complex repairs to certified HVAC/R technicians or vendors.
  • Execute preventive maintenance tasks (lubrication, belt and hose inspections, gasket replacements, thermostat and sensor checks) according to manufacturer’s PM schedules to maximize uptime and extend equipment life.
  • Maintain inventory of spare parts, sanitizers, cleaning chemicals, and packaging supplies; reorder proactively to avoid production interruptions while complying with storage and safety data sheet (SDS) requirements.
  • Bag, package, and label ice per temperature and weight specifications for retail sale, catering, or in-house distribution—ensuring packaging is sanitary, sealed, and correctly coded for lot tracing.
  • Load and stage packaged ice for delivery or internal distribution using carts, dollies, or pallet jacks; assist drivers and follow proper lifting and ergonomics to reduce injury risk.
  • Monitor and control storage bin temperatures and ventilation to prevent melting, clumping, and microbial growth; reorganize inventory using FIFO (first-in, first-out) principles.
  • Coordinate with kitchen, bar, and event staff to schedule production runs, special orders, and emergency fulfillment while maintaining production efficiency and quality.
  • Implement and maintain food safety programs including HACCP, ServSafe, or company-specific protocols; participate in internal and external inspections and audits.
  • Document and report any health code violations, near misses, accidents, or safety incidents to supervisors and complete corrective action forms as required.
  • Train and mentor junior staff on safe ice handling, sanitation procedures, equipment operation, and quality standards; provide clear checklists and on-the-job demonstrations.
  • Manage energy and water efficiency initiatives related to ice production, including off-peak scheduling, optimized cycles, and recommended upgrades to energy- and water-saving components.
  • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations regarding potable water use, wastewater disposal, and refrigerant handling; coordinate with environmental health officials when necessary.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of the ice production area including drains, floor grates, storage rooms, and waste disposal to reduce slip hazards and contamination risks.
  • Perform basic recordkeeping for maintenance work orders, supplier invoices, and production cost tracking; communicate budget needs to management for parts and capital repairs.
  • Respond to emergency calls for service (after-hours or weekend coverage where required) to restore production quickly and minimize operational impact.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with small equipment purchases by evaluating bids, comparing warranties, and recommending replacements or upgrades for cost-effective operation.
  • Participate in cross-functional meetings with culinary, facilities, and purchasing teams to align production with menu changes, peak service periods, and promotional events.
  • Support seasonal demand planning by forecasting ice needs for holidays, outdoor events, or high-occupancy periods and preparing contingency production plans.
  • Help maintain supplier relationships for water treatment, chemical supply, and equipment service contracts to ensure priority response and negotiated service terms.
  • Provide input to safety committees on flooring, PPE, signage, and ergonomics improvements that directly impact ice production teams.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by documenting process inefficiencies, proposing corrective measures, and piloting equipment or workflow changes.
  • Assist with basic inventory control tasks in the warehouse, including cycle counts and reconciliation of ice bags and packaging materials.
  • Participate in customer-facing situations (catering delivery, on-site troubleshooting) in a professional manner when required.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operation of commercial ice machines (cubers, flakers, nugget machines) and associated refrigeration systems.
  • Hands-on preventive maintenance skills: gasket replacement, pump servicing, condenser coil cleaning, water pump and valve checks.
  • Knowledge of sanitation protocols and HACCP principles specific to ice and beverage production, including safe chemical handling and SDS familiarity.
  • Ability to test and interpret water quality parameters (TDS, hardness, chlorine) and perform basic water-treatment troubleshooting.
  • Basic electrical and refrigeration troubleshooting skills, including reading wiring diagrams, identifying tripped breakers, and recognizing refrigerant leaks.
  • Experience with production and maintenance logkeeping, CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) or simple digital tracking tools.
  • Forklift awareness or certification (if required for pallet handling) and safe use of pallet jacks, dollies, and hand trucks.
  • Packaging and labeling skills to meet retail, food-safety, and traceability requirements.
  • Familiarity with local health code requirements for ice manufacturing, potable water systems, and retail food handling.
  • Ability to perform weight and temperature checks and document quality assurance results accurately.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and quality orientation to ensure ice meets sensory and safety specifications.
  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking to diagnose equipment issues and implement corrective actions.
  • Effective verbal and written communication for shift handoffs, log entries, and supplier coordination.
  • Time management and prioritization to meet production schedules and respond to urgent orders.
  • Teamwork and collaboration across kitchen, facilities, and logistics teams.
  • Physical stamina and manual dexterity to lift, carry, and maneuver bulk ice safely over shifts.
  • Reliability and punctuality; ability to work early mornings, nights, weekends, or on-call shifts as required.
  • Customer-service mindset when interacting with internal stakeholders or external clients.
  • Adaptability to changing production demands, seasonal fluctuations, and equipment upgrades.
  • Compliance-oriented mindset to follow safety rules, PPE requirements, and documented procedures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Technical certificate in HVAC/R, industrial maintenance, or appliance repair considered a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Culinary arts / food safety training
  • Mechanical or electrical technology
  • Hospitality management
  • Refrigeration/HVAC certification

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–3 years of experience operating or maintaining commercial ice machines, refrigeration equipment, or food production equipment.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years in a high-volume ice production, beverage service, or facilities maintenance role with documented experience in sanitation program compliance, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting refrigeration systems.
  • Certifications such as ServSafe Food Handler/Manager, HACCP, or HVAC/R are advantageous.
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