Develops, plans, and schedules preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to ensure the reliability and efficiency of equipment and facilities. They minimize equipment downtime and maximize productivity by coordinating labor, materials, tools, and access to equipment. Maintenance Planners typically work in industries like manufacturing, energy, and logistics that have a high volume of equipment and assets.
Responsibilities
- Work order management : Initiate, prioritize, and track all work orders using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), spread sheet, etc.. This includes clarifying job details and breaking down tasks into actionable steps for technicians.
- Preventive and predictive maintenance : Create and maintain preventive maintenance (PM) schedules and develop new PM procedures as equipment and operations change. They may also use data analysis to help predict future maintenance needs.
- Resource coordination : Plan and procure all necessary resources for maintenance tasks, including parts, tools, and labor. This requires close collaboration with external vendors and the internal purchasing and inventory teams.
- Scheduling and coordination : Develop daily, weekly, and long-term schedules for maintenance activities, coordinating with production and operations departments to minimize downtime and avoid conflicts.
- Documentation and reporting : Maintain accurate records of equipment history, maintenance costs, and procedures within the CMMS. They also generate reports to track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as work order backlog and schedule compliance, and provide recommendations for improvement.
- Safety and compliance : Ensure all maintenance procedures follow company safety protocols and regulatory standards.
- Root cause analysis : Participate in or lead the root cause analysis (RCA) of equipment failures to identify opportunities for preventing future issues.
Skills and qualifications
A successful Maintenance Planner requires a blend of technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
Technical Skills
Experience with CMMS : Proficiency with CMMS software like SAP, Maximo, or Infor EAM is essential for managing work orders, assets, and inventory.Technical knowledge : A solid understanding of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems, as well as the specific equipment used in the facility, is necessary.Data analysis : The ability to interpret equipment performance data, analyze trends, and report on key metrics is critical for driving continuous improvement.Inventory control : Skills in managing spare parts inventory are needed to ensure the right parts are available for planned work.Soft Skills
Communication : Excellent verbal and written communication is essential for coordinating with various teams, including maintenance technicians, production managers, and vendors.Organization and planning : The ability to manage multiple priorities, develop detailed schedules, and meticulously track tasks is a core part of the job.Problem-solving : Planners must be adept at quickly finding solutions to unexpected issues like equipment failures to minimize delays and costs.Teamwork and collaboration : The role requires working effectively with cross-functional teams and navigating conflicting priorities to achieve the best outcome.Education and experience
Education : A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement, with an associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, facilities management, or a related field often preferred for advanced roles.Experience : Many Maintenance Planners gain valuable experience through prior hands-on work as a maintenance technician or supervisor. Experience with preventive maintenance programs and specific industry practices is also a common requirement.Certifications : Professional certifications such as Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) can demonstrate advanced knowledge and enhance career prospects.