The primary role of the Maintenance Planner Scheduler is to improve equipment reliability while minimizing conversion costs. This is accomplished through sound planning practices, which include efficient utilization of labor, parts, materials, and outside vendor services. The planner/scheduler is responsible for the planning and scheduling of all maintenance activities performed in the area to which the planner/scheduler is assigned. The planner/ scheduler maintains liaisons and coordination between maintenance and other departments; maintains appropriate records and files to permit meaningful analysis for reporting on the effectiveness of the maintenance planning and scheduling and its impact on the business. Analyze maintenance performance and recommends actions to improve performance Principal Accountabilities.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in Maintenance/Reliability.

• General mechanical and electrical knowledge.

• High School Diploma, GED and/or successful completion of a 2-year Associate Degree program in an electrical/mechanical career field.

• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

• General understanding of MSE principles and DMS responsibilities.

• Ability to convey communications clearly and concisely.

• Understanding of major functions within the plant and the ability to work directly with all areas of Operations/Maintenance.

• Ability to work rotating shifts under conditions such as heat, cold, heights, and/or confined spaces.

• Have full mobility with the ability to climb ladders and stairs.

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous storeroom experience

• 3 to 5 years of experience in a TPM/technical, manufacturing environment

• Demonstrated experience working in Quality and Safety

• Functional knowledge and understanding of HACCP concepts

• Equivalent training/experience in a technical career field. Decision Making Authority and Impact. The planner/scheduler makes decisions concerning equipment maintenance; screening work orders, planning how to accomplish work orders evaluating least-cost options with minimum risks to product quality, consumer safety, and associate safety; and parts procurement, and determines work priority based on the business and production associated risks.

• Planner/Scheduler works with a team of associates to determine plant schedules for production and maintenance that best meets business needs. Following maintenance manager guidelines, the planner/scheduler determines the effective utilization of vendors to perform equipment repairs. There are no direct reports to this position, but coordination of associates and vendors is required.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• The planner/scheduler is the principal contact and liaison person between the maintenance department and the plant departments served by maintenance. The planner/scheduler ensures the operations area, to which the planner/scheduler is assigned, receives prompt, efficient, and quality service from the maintenance department. The planner/scheduler ensures the maintenance department is given the opportunity to provide this service.

• The planner/scheduler receives all work orders from the requesting associates, except for unplanned (breakdown) work. Planner/scheduler works with the production planning group to make sure adequate downtime is planned to complete maintenance work.

• Maintain creation, planning, scheduling, and closing WO’s in SAP. Work scope clearly described. Reviews and assures work orders are properly filled out

• Work with the reliability manager, production manager, maintenance leaders, and shift managers to plan and complete WOs effectively

• Reviews with maintenance manager those work orders requiring engineering design.

• Examines jobs to be done and determines the best way to accomplish the work. Consults with the requester, area manager, or maintenance manager when necessary.

• Leads weekly maintenance planning meeting for Monday cleaning and Thursday PM days.

• Identifies and obtains necessary materials, work instructions, manuals, appropriate tools, etc. to execute the planned work order.

• Planner/scheduler should have complete knowledge of each department’s activities in order to effectively and efficiently schedule work orders in their area of responsibility.

• Owner of BOMs for the site to make sure parts are BOM’d to correct equipment.

• Reviews the estimate of the current day’s schedule status and forecast of associate availability on a daily basis to determine if rescheduling is required.

• Plans and schedules preventive maintenance work in coordination with operations and maintenance managers.

• Check if the priority and requested completion dates are realistic and provide practical lead-time.

• If work is contracted to an outside vendor, the planner/scheduler assures the scope and cost of the work is clearly defined, purchase orders are approved, and equipment will be available for the work performed. Additionally, the planner will assure the contractor personnel adhere to Mars contractor rules and regulations.

• Analyzes maintenance performance metrics such as accuracy of work plan estimates (time, labor, and materials), percent work orders awaiting scheduling, schedule compliance, overtime, contracted maintenance costs and overdue work orders, and returned work orders in order to improve work planning. Reviews analysis and recommended corrective action with the maintenance manager.

• The ability to handle multiple priorities and complexity.

• Performs other tasks and special assignments as requested by the maintenance manager.

Key Functional Skills & Knowledge

• The planner/scheduler must be proficient with in-house software, such as SAP, Atlas, Cosmos, MDG, Word processing software, spreadsheet software, electronic mail, etc.

• A high level of planning and organizing skills are required to be proficient in the position.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Strong equipment and operational knowledge are necessary. Adequate craft knowledge is also essential to estimate labor hours and materials and visualize the job to be performed.

• Able to read blueprints and shop drawings.

• Ability to use Mars EPDM drawing management system to locate and access drawings.

• The planner/scheduler must react quickly to changes in requirements based on their understanding of priorities.

• High level interpersonal skills are required to negotiate and collaborate.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Analytical and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to understand budgets, cost estimating, and value to business.

Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.