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M A I N T E N A N C E
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Machinery & Equipment MRO
April 2022
Their work description may also include helping to prepare materials and equipment for disposal, or auction. It may entail providing support to sister plants by part transfers to other locations. The storekeeper must also prepare and maintain a variety of key performance indicators and other reports related to the organization’s store activities. The primary tasks, duties, and responsibilities that commonly make up the storekeeper job description are listed below:
Exploring the role and responsibilities of the maintenance storekeeper, and what their primary duties include. BY PETER PHILLIPS
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he storekeeper is the third key figure on the maintenance team. They play a critical role in a successful work order system. They work together with the planner and supervisor on the work order planning and scheduling process by ensuring the availability of parts to perform preventive maintenance and repairs on the facility and equipment. What exactly does a storekeeper do to guarantee parts will be available when needed? The storekeeper is responsible for general and department-specific routines, daily store activities, including processing postings, supplies receipt and distribution. They will be carrying out inventories control activities, and they may manage purchase orders. The storekeeper job description entails maintaining an automated inventory
database and update materials, supplies, and equipment records within the program. They will generate related reports to verify inventory levels, determine re-order activities and verify part usage. It may also involve the distribution and issuance of uniforms, supplies and materials for operational and production-related activities. Storekeepers also initiate purchase orders to replenish inventories following established guidelines and procedures of the company, and follow-up with vendors and suppliers to ensure prompt delivery of items. They are also responsible for conducting an inspection on the receipt of delivery from suppliers, and verify the quality and quantity of materials and supplies. They will deliver and store the incoming items to the appropriate areas within the facility.
Reviewing the list of duties, it easy to see this maintenance position is a busy one. Just like the planner and supervisor the role of the storekeeper is critical to maintaining overall equipment effectiveness. Equipment MTTR (mean time to repair) hinges on the availability of manpower and parts to perform repairs. When a piece of equipment fails during operation, it is critically important to have the part on hand, and for the technician to find them quickly. All too often parts needed for the breakdown are in stock, but no one can find
Photo: Peter Phillips
THE ROLE OF THE MAINTENANCE STOREKEEPER
• Take delivery of all incoming materials and reconcile with purchase orders. • Track, document and resolve any discrepancies on received orders. • Ensure accuracy of the facility’s inventory system by updating records of physical inventory totals, receipts, adjustments and returns. • Manage inventory/supplies and ensure they are within the established minimum and maximum levels. • Manage maintenance software to keep up-to-date records of receipts and withdrawals from the stockroom. • Responsible for packing, pricing, labeling and shipping materials to vendors. • Responsible for stock rotation and coordinate the disposal of surpluses. • Manage supplier relations and maintain high ethical relationships both internally and externally. • Create purchase orders and utilize purchasing card to perform low-value procurement activities. • Add new inventory parts in the maintenance system and determine stock locations. • Maintain storeroom organization and cleanliness. • Staging parts for work orders that are ready for technicians to execute.
