The Maintenance Planner is responsible for planning, scheduling, and coordinating
preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximize equipment
reliability and minimize downtime. This position works closely with Maintenance
Supervisors, Mechanics, Purchasing, Operations, and the Tool Crib to ensure labor,
materials, parts, and outside services are available before work begins. The Maintenance
Planner maintains the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), oversees
maintenance inventory processes, and supports continuous improvement initiatives to
improve maintenance eEiciency and equipment performance.
Responsibilities:
Maintenance Planning & Scheduling
- Develop, schedule, and coordinate preventive maintenance (PM) activities for maintenance mechanics based on production schedules and equipment priorities.
- Create daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance schedules to optimize labor utilization while minimizing production disruptions.
- Prioritize maintenance work orders based on equipment criticality, safety, production requirements, and resource availability.
- Coordinate planned maintenance activities with production and maintenance supervisors to ensure equipment availability.
- Prepare maintenance work packages that include procedures, labor requirements, parts lists, tools, and safety considerations.
CMMS Administration
- Maintain and update preventive maintenance schedules within the Computerized
- Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
- Modify PM frequencies, task lists, and procedures based on equipment performance, maintenance history, and reliability improvements.
- Ensure work orders are accurate, complete, and properly documented.
- Maintain equipment records, asset history, and maintenance documentation within the CMMS.
- Generate reports to monitor PM compliance, backlog, and maintenance performance metrics.
Parts & Materials Coordination
- Work closely with the Purchasing Coordinator to identify and procure parts required for planned maintenance activities.
- Review planned work to ensure all required materials and replacement parts are available before scheduling jobs.
- Coordinate with Maintenance Supervisors to identify upcoming maintenance needs and associated material requirements.
- Assist in developing and maintaining critical spare parts inventories to reduce equipment downtime.
Tool Crib & Inventory Management
- Oversee daily operations of the maintenance tool crib.
- Supervise tool crib attendants to ensure maintenance parts, tools, and supplies are properly issued and charged to work orders.
- Monitor inventory accuracy through routine audits and inventory reconciliation.
- Ensure maintenance tools and equipment are organized, available, and maintained in good working condition.
- Recommend inventory improvements and adjustments to support maintenance operations.
Contractor & Service Coordination
- Schedule outside contractors, equipment vendors, and service providers for maintenance, repairs, inspections, and facility-related work.
- Coordinate vendor-provided equipment service, warranty work, and preventive maintenance visits.
- Schedule technical training for maintenance personnel on new equipment, systems, and maintenance procedures.
- Communicate scheduling requirements with vendors to ensure timely completion of services.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Meet regularly with Maintenance Supervisors to review planned work, priorities, manpower availability, and scheduling needs.
- Coordinate with Operations to minimize production interruptions while completing planned maintenance.
- Work closely with Purchasing, Warehouse, and Machine Shop personnel to ensure resources are available before scheduled work begins.
- Support maintenance and production teams by resolving scheduling conflicts and adjusting priorities when necessary.
Continuous Improvement
- Analyze maintenance data to improve preventive maintenance frequencies and job plans.
- Identify opportunities to reduce equipment downtime and improve maintenance Efficiency.
- Recommend process improvements related to planning, scheduling, inventory management, and maintenance execution.
- Support reliability initiatives through standardized maintenance procedures and improved planning practices.
Requirements / Competencies:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s degree in industrial Maintenance, Mechanical Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred.
- Three to five years of experience in industrial maintenance, maintenance planning, maintenance supervision, or manufacturing operations.
- Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) such as Fiix, Maintenance Connection, SAP PM, Maximo, eMaint, or similar systems.
- Experience in manufacturing, food processing, industrial, or heavy equipment maintenance environments preferred.
- Strong understanding of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance principles.
- Working knowledge of industrial mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and facility systems.
- Ability to read equipment manuals, technical drawings, and maintenance documentation.
- Strong organizational, planning, and scheduling skills.
- Excellent communication and coordination skills across multiple departments.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.
- Knowledge of inventory control and maintenance storeroom best practices.
- Ability to analyze maintenance data and recommend improvements.
Performance Expectations
Success in this role is measured by:
- High preventive maintenance completion and compliance rates.
- Effective scheduling that minimizes equipment downtime and production disruptions.
- Accurate and timely maintenance planning and work order preparation.
- Proper availability of parts, tools, and outside services before scheduled work begins.
- Accurate CMMS records and maintenance documentation.
- Effective management of tool crib inventory and accountability.
- Reduction of maintenance backlog and emergency work.
- Strong collaboration with Maintenance, Operations, Purchasing, and Supervisors to support safe and reliable plant operations
Physical Requirements:
- Primarily office-based with frequent visits to production areas, maintenance shops, warehouses, and the tool crib.
- Regular interaction with maintenance personnel, production employees, vendors, and contractors.
- May be required to work flexible hours or adjust schedules to support planned shutdowns, emergency repairs, or critical maintenance activities.
- Must be able to walk throughout the facility and occasionally lift materials or tools weighing up to 25 pounds.