MRO Parts Technician

Dairy Farmers of America•Le Mars, IA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Kemps has an immediate job opening for a detail-oriented and reliable MRO Parts Purchaser, responsible for the management of our maintenance, repair, and operations inventory. This role will be the backbone of our maintenance department, ensuring that technicians, engineers, and production teams have the parts, tools, and supplies they need right when they need them. The MRO Parts Purchaser will balance maintaining optimal stock levels with keeping procurement costs in check, managing vendor relationships, and tracking inventory accuracy.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred
2+ years of experience in purchasing, inventory control, or storeroom management, preferably in an industrial, manufacturing, or maintenance environment.
Solid understanding of common industrial parts and components (e.g., bearings, seals, hardware, pneumatic/hydraulic fittings, electrical components).
Proficiency with inventory management software or CMMS platforms, as well as standard office software (Microsoft Excel/Word).
High level of organizational skill and attention to detail for tracking part numbers, quantities, and lead times.
Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to effectively collaborate with internal maintenance teams and external vendors.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally when receiving and stocking heavier parts.
Comfortable spending time both at a desk utilizing a computer and on your feet organizing a parts cage or storeroom floor.
Must be able to pass all pre-employment screenings including drug, background and criminal checks
Minimum one year experience in a maintenance role within a manufacturing facility, preferably food and beverage industry
Minimum one year experience with one or more technical experiences: Electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, computer-controlled equipment, PLC and/or HVAC
Minimum one year experience with a variety of equipment including lubricating, cleaning, material handling, motor control, relay control, process control and packaging equipment
Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals
Must be able to handle basic hand tools
Must be able to stand, walk, kneel and bend required for virtually the entire shift; occasionally required to climb or balance
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
Must be able to work in a cold, wet environment with moderate to high noise volume
May experience some exposure to fumes airborne particles, chemicals or allergens
Must be willing to work flexible hours including overtime, weekends, and holiday

Nice To Haves

Experience operating a forklift or pallet jack for unloading shipments.
A background as a maintenance technician or parts counter specialist who wants to transition into a dedicated purchasing role.

Responsibilities

Research, source, and purchase MRO materials, spare parts, tools, and industrial supplies to support plant maintenance and operations.
Maintain, organize, and optimize the parts storeroom. Establish and adjust min/max stocking levels to prevent stockouts while avoiding excess inventory.
Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers. Negotiate pricing, lead times, and shipping terms to secure the best value and delivery speed.
Input, update, and track all purchasing data, purchase orders (POs), and parts inventory within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Receive incoming maintenance shipments, verify packing slips against purchase orders, inspect parts for quality/correctness, and log them into inventory.
Kit parts and specialized tools required for upcoming planned maintenance tasks and scheduled work orders to streamline technician efficiency.
Work closely with the accounting department to resolve any discrepancies between purchase orders, receiving logs, and vendor invoices.