Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kitchen Equipment Repair Technician

🎯 Role Definition

We are outlining the role of a Kitchen Equipment Repair Technician — a field or shop-based technician responsible for diagnosing, repairing, installing, and maintaining commercial kitchen equipment (ranges, ovens, fryers, refrigeration, dishwashers, ice machines, HVAC-related kitchen systems, etc.). This resource is crafted for recruiters and hiring managers to use in job descriptions and for search optimization: key duties, measurable responsibilities, required technical and soft skills, certifications, and career progression.

Key SEO terms included: kitchen equipment repair, commercial kitchen technician, appliance service technician, refrigeration technician, gas appliance repair, preventive maintenance, equipment installation, field service technician.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Apprentice appliance or small engine mechanic transitioning into commercial appliance service.
HVAC/R technician or refrigeration mechanic seeking kitchen specialization.
Commercial kitchen maintenance technician or line cook with mechanical aptitude.

Advancement To:

Senior Field Service Technician or Lead Technician (overseeing complex accounts and mentoring).
Service Manager or Operations Supervisor (managing schedules, SLAs, and parts inventory).
Technical Trainer / OEM Trainer (developing curriculum for technicians).
Regional Service Manager or Director of Field Operations.

Lateral Moves:

Refrigeration Specialist or HVAC Service Technician.
Preventive Maintenance Coordinator for food service facilities.
Installation Specialist for commercial kitchen equipment.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform complete diagnostic assessments of commercial cooking equipment (ranges, convection ovens, combi ovens, steamers, char-broilers, griddles, fryers) using systematic troubleshooting methods to identify electrical, gas, mechanical, or control-system failures and produce documented repair plans.
Troubleshoot and repair commercial refrigeration systems (walk-in coolers/freezers, reach-in refrigerators, undercounter units, prep tables) including compressor replacement, compressor start components, evaporator/condensing coil service, and refrigerant leak detection and repair in compliance with EPA regulations.
Service and repair commercial dishwashing and warewashing equipment, including conveyor and undercounter machines, pumps, heating elements, and detergent/sanitizer systems to ensure proper sanitation cycles and reduce downtime.
Install, commission, and configure new kitchen equipment per manufacturer specifications and local codes—verify gas pressure, electrical wiring, ventilation clearances, water hookups, and proper drainage to guarantee safe and code-compliant operation.
Perform preventive maintenance inspections and scheduled PM work on equipment fleets—replace wear items (thermostats, gaskets, belts, seals), clean burners, calibrate controls, and update maintenance logs to extend asset life and minimize emergency repairs.
Diagnose and correct control and PLC-based failures on modern kitchen systems and digital controls—update firmware, recalibrate sensors, and interface with OEM support lines when necessary.
Perform gas appliance servicing including combustion analysis, burner adjustments, pilot and ignition system repair, gas leak testing, and ensuring compliance with NFPA and local gas codes.
Conduct electrical troubleshooting on single and three-phase systems—test and replace contactors, relays, motors, capacitors, fuses, breakers, and utilize multimeter and clamp meter readings to verify proper operation and safety.
Repair and maintain commercial ice machines (air- and water-cooled) including water-inlet solenoids, harvest cycles, thermostat adjustments, and sanitation procedures to reduce microbial risk and performance loss.
Respond to emergency service calls for foodservice facilities, triage issues on-site, implement temporary repairs to restore critical operations, and prioritize follow-up repairs and parts procurement to achieve SLA goals.
Maintain accurate service reports, parts usage logs, and maintenance records in the company’s CMMS or field-service software—enter diagnostic steps, replaced parts, time on site, and customer sign-off for billing and warranty purposes.
Collaborate with kitchen managers, chefs, and facilities staff to schedule maintenance windows and installations that minimize operational disruption and ensure equipment uptime during peak service periods.
Source and order OEM and aftermarket parts—verify part numbers, cross-reference alternatives, manage stock levels in service van inventory, and control part costs while tracking warranty returns.
Perform brazing, soldering, and basic welding repairs on refrigeration and cooking equipment piping and metal components with appropriate safety procedures and certifications.
Test and calibrate thermostats, safety limit controls, pressure switches, and temperature probes to ensure accurate process control and food-safety compliance.
Ensure all work conforms to local, state, and federal regulations including EPA 608 refrigerant rules, OSHA safety standards, NFPA gas codes, and local health department sanitation requirements.
Provide on-site training and operational guidance to kitchen staff on basic equipment care, daily cleaning, and preventive practices to prevent repeat service calls and extend equipment life.
Coordinate with OEM technical support for complex warranty claims, parts RMA, or advanced diagnostics, and escalate major equipment failures to management with recommended CAPEX or replacement proposals.
Maintain a clean and safe work area, secure parts and tools on service vehicles, follow lockout/tagout procedures during repairs, and document health and safety incidents.
Use diagnostic tools (combustion analyzer, refrigerant gauge set, leak detector, vacuum pump, multimeter, thermocouple, oscilloscope where applicable) to validate repair effectiveness and produce after-service verification reports.
Participate in regular technical training and product updates to stay current with new commercial kitchen technologies, energy-efficiency standards, and troubleshooting techniques.
Provide input on equipment lifecycle planning by reporting chronic failures, recurring parts usage, and total cost of ownership metrics to help customers and managers make informed repair vs replace decisions.
Manage billing authorizations and communicate repair scope, estimated times, and costs to customers before performing non-emergency work to ensure transparency and reduce invoice disputes.

Secondary Functions

Support continuous improvement initiatives by recommending process or material changes that reduce recurring service calls and improve first-time fix rates.
Assist in maintaining parts inventory, performing cycle counts, and suggesting reorder levels for high-turn items to minimize vehicle stockouts.
Participate in health-and-safety audits and contribute to safety training sessions for field staff and customer kitchen teams.
Provide structured feedback to dispatch and scheduling teams about travel times, parts availability, and realistic appointment windows to improve customer satisfaction.
Contribute to technical knowledge bases and troubleshooting guides used by the service team to accelerate diagnostics and standardize best practices.
Represent the company professionally during customer site visits, maintain strong customer relationships, and solicit feedback for service quality improvement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Commercial kitchen appliance diagnostics and repair (ranges, ovens, fryers, griddles, steamers, combi ovens).
Refrigeration systems repair and refrigerant handling (EPA 608 certification preferred) for walk-ins, reach-ins, and ice machines.
Gas appliance servicing and combustion analysis with knowledge of NFPA and local gas codes and safe gas pressure testing.
Electrical troubleshooting for single and three-phase circuits, controls, relays, motors, and power distribution panels.
Digital control systems and PLC familiarity for modern ovens and combi units; ability to update firmware and interface with OEM support.
Preventive maintenance planning and execution, including PM checklists and CMMS entry.
Brazing, soldering, and brazing torch techniques for refrigeration and piping repairs.
Use of diagnostic tools: multimeter, clamp meter, refrigerant manifold gauge sets, vacuum pump, leak detectors, combustion analyzers, and temperature calibration tools.
Parts identification, ordering, and OEM parts cross-referencing for brands like Hobart, Vulcan, Garland, Frymaster, Blodgett, True, Traulsen, Manitowoc, Scotsman.
Basic plumbing skills for water, drainage, and sanitation connections.
Ability to read technical manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and blueprints.
Familiarity with safety standards: OSHA, local health department, and EPA refrigerant regulations.
Mobile service software/CMMS proficiency (e.g., ServiceTitan, FieldEdge, Salesforce Field Service) for dispatch, reporting, and parts tracking.

(Include at least 10 of the above in job postings to improve applicant match and search relevance.)

Soft Skills

Strong customer service orientation with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical staff.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking with methodical troubleshooting approaches.
Time management and route-optimization awareness to maintain high first-time-fix rates and meet SLA targets.
Attention to detail and commitment to quality—accurate documentation and part installations.
Adaptability and comfort working in noisy, hot, fast-paced commercial kitchen environments.
Team collaboration—coordinate with dispatch, parts, sales, and facility managers to resolve complex issues.
Professional communication and interpersonal skills for client-facing interactions and upsell recommendations.
Dependability and ownership—reliable attendance, safe driving record, and responsibility for company assets and customer satisfaction.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate, technical diploma, or associate degree in HVAC/R, Appliance Repair, Electrical Technology, Refrigeration Technology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

HVAC/R Technology
Electrical Technology / Industrial Electronics
Refrigeration & Appliance Repair
Mechanical or Industrial Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of hands-on experience servicing commercial kitchen equipment, refrigeration, or HVAC systems.

Preferred: 5+ years of commercial kitchen equipment service experience with demonstrated first-time-fix metrics, experience with major brands, and a track record of preventive maintenance program execution.

Additional Requirements (commonly requested):

Valid driver’s license and clean driving record for field roles.
EPA 608 Refrigerant Certification (preferred/required for refrigeration work).
Gas fitter license or certification where local regulation requires.
Willingness to travel regionally, lift up to 75 lbs, and work flexible hours including occasional nights or weekends for emergency service.
Proof of vaccination or ability to follow customer site health policies where applicable.