At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global maintenance strategy and enhance equipment reliability across AAK's manufacturing network.
- Company: Join AAK, a leader in plant-based oils with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: International exposure, training, mentorship, and a focus on career development.
- Other info: Extensive travel opportunities and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while driving innovation in a diverse team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in maintenance leadership; engineering degree required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 people 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. Everything we do is about Making Better Happen.
Location: This position can be based at any major AAK site.
About The Role: As Global Maintenance Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving maintenance excellence across AAK's global manufacturing network. The position is responsible for defining and deploying a world‑class asset care strategy that enhances equipment reliability, optimizes lifecycle costs, and supports operational performance across all production sites. Working within AAK's Operational Excellence framework, you will establish standardized maintenance processes, governance routines, and best practices to build sustainable maintenance capabilities and improve asset performance. You will partner closely with site leadership teams, maintenance and engineering functions, and regional stakeholders to drive maintenance maturity, capability development, and the adoption of consistent ways of working across the organization. The role also serves as a key contributor to AAK's capital investment agenda, ensuring that maintainability, reliability, and lifecycle cost principles are embedded into capital projects and engineering initiatives. Through strong collaboration and influence in a global matrix environment, you will support the delivery of AAK's long‑term business strategy by improving operational reliability, reducing risk, and enabling sustainable growth. This is a highly visible global role that requires a strategic mindset combined with the ability to drive execution, build organizational capability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across multiple regions and functions.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and lead AAK's global Maintenance and Asset Care strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, the AAK Operating Model, and Operational Excellence principles.
- Establish, standardize, and continuously improve maintenance processes and ways of working across the global manufacturing network, including planning and scheduling, preventive and predictive maintenance, reliability engineering, and Daily Management Systems.
- Own and govern the global Maintenance Operating System, ensuring consistent execution through effective governance routines, performance management, KPI tracking, and integration with site management processes.
- Build organizational capability through the design and deployment of global maintenance training programs, role‑based development pathways, coaching initiatives, and certification frameworks.
- Lead the global rollout of Maintenance and Asset Care Excellence programs, including pilot implementations, phased deployment plans, and sustainable adoption across all regions.
- Define and manage a maintenance maturity framework, conducting site assessments, benchmarking performance, and developing structured improvement roadmaps with site leadership teams.
- Drive asset reliability and performance improvements through loss elimination, reliability‑centered maintenance practices, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and continuous improvement initiatives focused on MTBF, MTTR, and OEE.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and hands‑on support to maintenance and operational teams to strengthen capabilities, drive accountability, and embed new ways of working.
- Ensure full integration of maintenance excellence initiatives with TPM and Operational Excellence programs, particularly within Planned Maintenance and Autonomous Maintenance pillars.
- Monitor, analyze, and communicate maintenance performance metrics and trends to identify opportunities, prioritize actions, and demonstrate business impact.
- Lead or support strategic CAPEX and engineering projects, ensuring alignment with maintenance, reliability, and long‑term asset management objectives.
- Embed maintainability, reliability, operability, and lifecycle cost principles into project design, engineering reviews, procurement decisions, and project execution.
- Act as the global subject matter expert for asset care and reliability during major investment decisions, technical reviews, and project governance processes.
- Ensure effective project‑to‑operations handovers through robust commissioning, documentation, CMMS readiness, maintenance planning, spare parts strategies, and capability transfer to site teams.
- Partner closely with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, and Project Management teams to ensure capital investments deliver sustainable operational performance and business value.
- Drive standardization of equipment, maintenance practices, engineering solutions, and asset management approaches across the global manufacturing network where appropriate.
About You: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or a related Engineering discipline; a Master's degree or relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous. 10+ years’ experience in maintenance, reliability, engineering, and asset management leadership roles within complex manufacturing, process, or industrial environments, ideally with global or multi‑site responsibility. Proven success in developing and deploying maintenance and asset care strategies, operating systems, governance frameworks, and standardized ways of working across multiple sites and regions. Deep expertise in maintenance excellence methodologies, including TPM, reliability engineering, preventive and predictive maintenance, maintenance planning and scheduling, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and loss elimination. Strong understanding of asset lifecycle management and best practices for maximizing asset reliability, availability, and total cost of ownership. Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, build capability, and develop high‑performing teams through coaching, training, mentoring, and structured capability development programs. Experience driving Operational Excellence, continuous improvement, or business transformation initiatives within manufacturing, food, ingredients, chemicals, or other process‑based industries. Strong project management and engineering expertise, including involvement in major CAPEX projects, equipment installations, commissioning, and project‑to‑operations handovers. Ability to embed reliability, maintainability, operability, and lifecycle cost principles into engineering and capital investment decisions. Highly analytical, with the ability to leverage maintenance and operational data to identify improvement opportunities, drive performance, and support fact‑based decision‑making. Strong stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to build credibility and drive alignment across global, regional, and site‑based teams. Experience working effectively within a global matrix organization, collaborating across functions, cultures, and geographic regions. Proficiency in CMMS platforms, maintenance performance systems, and asset management tools, with experience using data and KPIs to drive sustainable improvements. Fluent in English, both written and verbal; additional languages are considered an advantage in a global environment. Available to travel extensively, 50% of the time.
Benefits: Join a pioneering company in specialty oils and fats, driving innovation and sustainability. In AAK you can work across 25+ countries, gaining international exposure and collaborating with a diverse team. AAK invests in your development with training, mentorship, and clear career paths. You will contribute to a greener world with AAK's sustainability‑focused approach. Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values every individual's perspective and talents.
AAK prohibits discrimination based on 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 employment and application for employment.
Global Maintenance Manager employer: AAK
AAK is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and sustainability in the specialty oils and fats industry. With a commitment to employee development through training, mentorship, and clear career paths, AAK fosters a diverse and inclusive work culture where every individual's perspective is valued. Working at any of our major sites offers the unique advantage of international exposure and the opportunity to contribute to a greener world, making your role as Global Maintenance Manager not just a job, but a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Maintenance Manager
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like AAK, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Maintenance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to AAK specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at AAK
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with AAK, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like AAK value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
