What does a Maintenance Planner do?
Published 4 min read
A maintenance planner is responsible for creating and maintaining a schedule of preventive maintenance for a facility or equipment. They work with maintenance staff to ensure that all scheduled maintenance is performed in a timely and efficient manner.
Maintenance Planner job duties include:
- Schedule and coordinate all maintenance activities with production activities.
- Develop, implement, and monitor the preventive maintenance program.
- Estimate time and material costs for repair and maintenance work.
- Develop, implement, and monitor the predictive maintenance program.
- Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of maintenance personnel.
- Ensure that all safety procedures are followed during maintenance activities.
- Investigate equipment failures and determine root cause.
- Recommend improvements to equipment, facilities, and processes.
- Prepare reports on the status of equipment, facilities, and the maintenance program.
Maintenance Planner Job Requirements
Maintenance planners typically need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and must complete on-the-job training. In addition, they must have experience working with the type of equipment they will be responsible for maintaining. Some employers may prefer candidates who have certification from a professional organization, such as the American Society for Quality.
Maintenance Planner Skills
- Scheduling
- Maintenance
- Planning
- Equipment
- Repair
- Parts
- Inventory
- Preventive Maintenance
- Work Orders
- Safety
- Budgeting
Related: Top Maintenance Planner Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Maintenance Planner
The maintenance planner is a vital position in any organization that relies on equipment to function. The maintenance planner is responsible for creating and maintaining a schedule of routine maintenance tasks, as well as coordinating repairs and replacements when necessary.
The best way to become a maintenance planner is to have a strong background in mechanical or industrial engineering. Maintenance planners need to be able to understand complex systems and have the ability to troubleshoot problems. They must also be able to effectively communicate with both engineers and non-technical staff.
Organizational skills are also essential for maintenance planners. They must be able to keep track of multiple tasks and prioritize them based on importance. Additionally, they must be able to work well under pressure and handle unexpected changes in the schedule.
If you have the necessary skills and qualifications, the next step is to find an organization that is looking for a maintenance planner. Once you have been hired, it is important to shadow experienced planners and learn as much as possible about the job. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to planning, so it is important to learn about the specific systems and processes that your company uses.
With experience, you will develop your own methods and procedures for planning maintenance tasks. As you become more comfortable in the role, you will be able to take on more responsibility and contribute more effectively to the smooth running of the organization.
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