Mechanical Planner

Position Summary The Mechanical Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and scheduling maintenance activities for mechanical equipment within a chemical manufacturing facility. This role ensures maintenance work is planned efficiently, materials and resources are available, and work is executed safely to maximize equipment reliability, plant availability, and operational performance. The Mechanical Planner works closely with Operations, Reliability, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to support preventive, predictive, corrective, and turnaround maintenance activities.

Key Responsibilities Maintenance Planning

• Review and prioritize maintenance work requests received through the CMMS.
• Develop detailed job plans for mechanical maintenance activities, including scope, labor requirements, tools, equipment, permits, and safety requirements.
• Create work packages containing procedures, drawings, parts lists, permits, and technical documentation.
• Estimate labor hours, materials, and contractor requirements for planned work.
• Ensure all planned work complies with company safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Scheduling and Coordination

• Coordinate weekly and daily maintenance schedules with Operations and Maintenance Supervisors.
• Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts and resource constraints.
• Support plant shutdowns, turnarounds, and major maintenance projects through detailed planning and scheduling.
• Monitor work backlog and recommend prioritization strategies to improve plant reliability.

Materials and Resource Management

• Identify and procure required spare parts, tools, and services prior to scheduled work.
• Work closely with the warehouse and procurement teams to ensure material availability.
• Review spare parts inventory and recommend stocking levels for critical equipment.
• Coordinate contractor resources when required.

Reliability and Continuous Improvement

• Participate in root cause failure analyses (RCFA) and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Analyze maintenance history and equipment performance data to identify recurring issues.
• Recommend improvements to maintenance procedures, job plans, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Maintain accurate equipment records and documentation within the CMMS.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure planned work meets Process Safety Management (PSM) and site safety standards.
• Incorporate Job Safety Analysis (JSA) requirements into work plans.
• Support management of change (MOC) activities when maintenance modifications are required.
• Promote a strong safety culture and compliance with environmental regulations.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Technical degree or certification in Mechanical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of mechanical maintenance experience in a chemical, petrochemical, refining, manufacturing, or industrial environment.
• Minimum of 2 years of maintenance planning experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of rotating and stationary equipment.

Technical Knowledge Experience with:

• Pumps
• Compressors
• Gearboxes
• Heat exchangers
• Pressure vessels
• Piping systems
• Valves
• Agitators and mixers
• Steam systems
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems

Knowledge of:

• Preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• CMMS systems (SAP, Maximo, Oracle, Infor, or similar)
• Reliability-centered maintenance (RCM)
• Process Safety Management (PSM)
• Mechanical integrity programs
• Industrial safety standards and permit-to-work systems

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.