Instrument & Controls Technician

Join to apply for the Instrument & Controls Technician role at AAK

Our story goes back more than 150 years to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From early success in Sweden and Denmark, we have 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™.

The Instrument and Controls Technician is involved with the successful daily operation of the oil refining facility and the modification and alteration of the plant’s automated control and power systems to accommodate business needs and ensure high plant availability. This requires close collaboration with other employees and management staff to assure safe work and to set or re‑set job priorities. Documentation of plant physical or logic changes and compliance with safety, quality, and customer requirements is required.

• Lead the safety effort by personal example and support full‑plant compliance with safety rules to achieve 0 accidents.
• Support 0 contractor accidents during major construction or any maintenance with contractors on site.
• Identify high‑risk safety and productivity issues and help remedy them.
• Adhere to SOPs and other work procedures to assure product quality and consistency for customers.
• Ensure equipment is safely released following site Safe Work Permits and Life Critical permits.
• Perform job tasks in a manner compliant with GMPs and participate in company safety and audit committees.

• Monitor, repair, maintain and troubleshoot all field instrumentation, electrical equipment and controls systems including plant safety systems and plant power systems.
• Install, loop check, maintain and troubleshoot process control systems comprised of transmitters, controllers and valves operating in a PLC system.
• Calibrate, monitor, repair, maintain, label and document all field instruments such as transmitters, controllers, valves, PLCs, plant safety systems, plant power systems and utility systems (HVAC), pH and conductivity meters.
• Install, maintain and troubleshoot electrical distribution and protection circuits up to 480V AC.
• Fabricate and install rigid and flexible conduit and run power and control wiring based on electrical code requirements.
• Properly select, install and wire 120V‑480V motors, single‑phase to three‑phase as needed.
• Apply National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) knowledge and evaluate instrumentation technology for process equipment, recommending improvements.
• Ensure all work orders are completed, documented and closed out in the site CMMS system as per procedure.
• Provide on‑call support during assigned weeks for 24/7 coverage and practical solutions to operations/control problems.
• Scope, estimate and execute small capital/maintenance projects with management and contractors.
• Train other employees as required and oversee contractor performance to ensure safe and quality work.
• Seek opportunities to improve safety, speed and cost effectiveness.

• Contribute to controlling costs and minimizing wastage in daily work.
• Support minimal part sparing consistent with production goals and local vendor service.

• High School Diploma or GED with at least 10 years of I&E experience in a chemical, food or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with PLC‑based controls systems such as GE or Allen Bradley in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to analyze and interpret technical problems related to instrumentation or PLC logic.
• Ability to read and understand company policies, procedures, technical datasheets, P&IDs, electrical drawings (one‑line, loop, control circuits).
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts to practical situations.
• Preferred:
  New Jersey Licensed Electrician (or working towards license).
• Preferred: ISA…