Maintenance Planner

Job Summary

The Maintenance Planner is responsible for planning, scheduling, and coordinating preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximize equipment reliability and minimize production downtime. This role works closely with maintenance technicians, production supervisors, engineering, and purchasing to ensure maintenance work is efficiently planned, properly resourced, and completed safely.

In a utility hardware manufacturing environment, the Maintenance Planner supports equipment used in the production of utility poles, hardware fittings, transmission and distribution components, metal fabrication, machining, welding, coating, and assembly operations. Job Duties

• Develop, plan, and schedule preventive and predictive maintenance activities for all production and facility equipment.
• Create detailed work orders including labor requirements, parts, tools, permits, safety procedures, and estimated completion times.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules with production to minimize operational disruptions.
• Maintain the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) by creating, updating, and closing work orders.
• Review equipment history to identify recurring failures and recommend reliability improvements.
• Plan shutdowns, turnarounds, and major equipment overhauls.
• Ensure required spare parts, materials, and specialized tools are available before scheduled work begins.
• Coordinate with purchasing and vendors to procure maintenance materials and services.
• Monitor maintenance backlog and prioritize work based on equipment criticality and business needs.
• Track maintenance performance metrics including: Preventive Maintenance (PM) compliance, Schedule compliance, Equipment uptime, Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)
• Support root cause failure analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain equipment documentation, manuals, maintenance procedures, and technical drawings.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with OSHA, environmental, and company safety standards.
• Participate in capital projects, equipment installations, and commissioning activities.
• Assist in developing annual maintenance budgets and forecasting maintenance costs.
• Recommend improvements to maintenance strategies that increase equipment reliability and reduce costs. Experience and Education
• Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology, or related field preferred.
• High school diploma or GED with equivalent maintenance planning experience considered.
• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance experience.
• Minimum 2 years of maintenance planning or scheduling experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using CMMS software such as SAP PM, IBM Maximo, JDE, Maintenance Connection, or similar systems.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing equipment including: CNC machines, Presses, Welding equipment, Conveyors, Hydraulic systems, Pneumatic systems, Electrical systems, Compressors, Material handling equipment, In-depth knowledge of maintenance policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team effectively, including hiring, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Technical accreditation from a recognized institution or completion of a skilled trades program.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in maintenance operations. Competencies/ Skills Strong organizational and planning skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Ability to prioritize multiple maintenance activities. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook. Ability to interpret equipment manuals, mechanical drawings, and electrical schematics. Knowledge of preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance principles. Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies. Familiarity with OSHA safety regulations and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.