Maintenance MRO Specialist

AAK; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Life and Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

AAK Louisville is hiring a Maintenance MRO Specialist to drive strategic MRO inventory management and storeroom optimization at the Louisville site. You will align MRO practices with reliability goals, manage vendor relationships, and support financial performance through cost-effective parts management.

You will work with the reliability team to ensure spare parts readiness, lead 5S and data integrity efforts, and mentor maintenance staff in efficient storeroom practices.

Qualifications

• Requires a technical bachelor's degree and exposure to manufacturing or reliability functions.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills are essential.
• Experience coordinating with vendors, suppliers, and contractors is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and restructure MRO storerooms for space and efficiency.
• Develop inventory strategies and ensure 100% availability of critical spares.
• Maintain CMMS/ERP data integrity and perform cycle counts and audits.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Proactive mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field

Job description

Making Better Happen Our story goes back more 150 years, to the windy coast where Sweden and Denmark meet. From our success in Scandinavia, we've grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4000 people all across the globe. We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it’s not just food – we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet. Every one of us works towards our shared purpose: Making Better Happen™. Everything we do is about Making Better Happen together. Join nearly 4,000 like-minded colleagues globally and build a better future with us.

Build a better future as a Maintenance MRO Specialist in Louisville, KY.

AAK Louisville

About The Role

The MRO Specialist will provide strategic development of all Maintenance, Repair, and Operating (MRO) inventory management activities across the site. This role is responsible for optimizing material availability, streamlining storeroom operations, and ensuring alignment between MRO inventory practices and overall operational reliability goals. The MRO Specialist will drive process innovation, manage key vendor relationships, and will work with the reliability team to drive positive financial performance for the site regarding spare parts assets.

Responsibilities

• Orchestrate the complete evaluation, analysis, and restructuring of MRO storerooms to achieve optimal space utilization, accessibility, and operational efficiency.
• Implement best-in-class storage solutions and layout design.
• Develop and implement comprehensive inventory strategies for critical maintenance components.
• Manage inventory to ensure 100% availability of critical spares while optimizing stocking levels for cost-effective operations (optimizing re-order points, quantities, and lead times).
• Oversee the integrity of all MRO data within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS/ERP, e.g., Emaint).
• Direct system upgrades, ensure accurate unit costing, and govern data entry protocols for all material transactions (receiving, storing, issuing).
• Maintain strategic vendor relationships and service contracts in partnership with procurement.
• Obtain pricing and availability of components to ensure cost efficiency and timely delivery.
• Issue purchase requisitions for critical equipment, specialized parts, and contractor services.
• Establish and drive the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure storeroom performance, inventory accuracy, and financial impact.
• Collaborate with the Reliability Engineering team to identify critical component requirements per asset.
• Lead the development of comprehensive, accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs) for all critical equipment to ensure maintenance readiness.
• Lead departmental efforts to maintain MRO storage locations in strict accordance with site 5S standards and EHS policies.
• Mentor and train maintenance personnel on effective storeroom practices, fostering a culture of accountability and precision in parts management.
• Manage and perform the site’s comprehensive cycle counting program and physical inventory audits.
• Resolve all discrepancies and variances, ensuring accurate financial accounting of received components and documentation.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment; exposure to maintenance or reliability functions a plus.
• Working knowledge of rotating equipment and mechanical systems, including pumps, gearboxes, motors, heat exchangers, and valves.
• Familiarity with CMMS or other asset management systems for tracking maintenance activities and equipment history.
• Experience coordinating with vendors, suppliers, and contractors to support maintenance or project execution.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.

In return AAK offer

• Career paths, training and development, e-learning and tuition reimbursement programs offer potential for you to progress your future career.
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental and vision) starting date of hire.
• Health Savings Account with AAK annual contribution of $1,000-$1,500.
• We match 100% of the first 3% you contribute to your 401(k), and 50% of the next 3%.
• Free Life and Disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Supplemental Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection and Legal Insurance Plans.
• Discounts on travel, amusement parks, concerts, movies, and more.
• Celebrations, events, and activities on site and supporting our communities.
• Recognition incentives for service and peer to peer recognition.

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK's offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and with the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.