Scheduler

Position Title: Scheduler

Department: Planning

Reports To: Maintenance Planning Engineer/Maintenance Manager

Job Overview

The Maintenance Scheduler is responsible for developing, coordinating, monitoring, and optimizing preventive, predictive, corrective, and shutdown maintenance schedules to ensure maximum equipment reliability and plant availability. The role works closely with maintenance, operations, engineering, warehouse, and contractor teams to ensure maintenance activities are effectively planned, resourced, and executed within agreed timelines.

The successful candidate must possess strong planning and coordination skills, a sound understanding of maintenance processes, and the ability to utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to drive maintenance efficiency and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop Maintenance Schedules

Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and shutdown maintenance schedules based on approved maintenance plans, work orders, resource availability, and operational priorities.

2. Coordinate Maintenance Activities

Liaise with operations, maintenance teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure timely execution of planned maintenance activities with minimal impact on production.

3. Monitor Work Order Progress

Track maintenance work orders, monitor completion status, identify delays, and take necessary actions to optimize schedule adherence.

4. Manage Resource Planning

Coordinate manpower, tools, equipment, spare parts, and contractor requirements to support effective maintenance execution.

5. Maintain CMMS Data and Reports

Update maintenance schedules, work orders, backlog reports, equipment records, and maintenance KPIs within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

6. Support Shutdown and Turnaround Planning

Assist in planning and scheduling plant shutdowns, turnarounds, overhauls, and major maintenance activities to ensure successful execution within approved timelines.

7. Analyze Maintenance Performance

Review maintenance performance metrics, schedule compliance, backlog trends, equipment downtime, and resource utilization to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Basic Technical Competencies and Skills

The ideal candidate should demonstrate competency in:

• Maintenance planning and scheduling principles.
• Knowledge of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance practices.
• Proficiency in Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) such as SAP PM, Maximo, or similar platforms.
• Understanding of maintenance workflows and work-order management.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, equipment documentation, and maintenance procedures.
• Resource planning, manpower allocation, and coordination skills.
• Shutdown and turnaround planning techniques.
• Data analysis, reporting, and KPI monitoring.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.

Qualification and Experience

Educational Qualification

• Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Maintenance Engineering, Production Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline;

OR

• ND, or a related engineering field with demonstrated experience in maintenance planning and scheduling.

Professional Certification (Added Advantage)

• SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM) Certification.
• Maintenance Planning and Scheduling Certification.
• CMMS Administration Training.
• Project Management Certification.
• HSE Certification.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years' industrial experience in maintenance planning, scheduling, maintenance coordination, shutdown planning, or related maintenance support functions within a manufacturing plant, fertilizer plant, petrochemical facility, power plant, cement plant, refinery, oil and gas operation, or similar industrial environment.
• Experience using SAP PM, CMMS, or equivalent maintenance management systems will be an added advantage.

Desired Attributes

• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
• High level of accountability and professionalism.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.