The Senior Mechanical Planner is responsible for the execution of all mechanical and rotating turnaround and capital work order processes. This role ensures efficient and effective planning of resources to support safe execution, minimal downtime, and maximum productivity across turnaround, capital, and routine maintenance activities. The Planner develops detailed job plans, defines parts and materials, determines required crafts and skills, and coordinates resources to deliver safe and effective work execution.
Scope Identification & Validation
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Research work order history to ensure appropriate preventive maintenance work orders are included in scope.
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Screen incoming work orders to identify scope and required level of planning.
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Conduct field walkdowns to validate job scope and requirements.
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Validate scopes with Operations, Maintenance, and other disciplines to support front-end loading.
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Identify safety hazards, permitting and isolation requirements, and long-lead materials early.
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Ensure appropriate risk assessments are completed for medium- to high-risk scopes.
Planning & Work Package Development
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Develop detailed work packages for mechanical and rotating equipment including:
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Job scope, step-by-step sequence, labor and material requirements
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Skill requirements, tools, equipment, and external resources
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Cost estimates and execution strategy
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Include supporting documentation such as spec sheets, vendor manuals, P&IDs, photos, and isolation plans.
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Ensure all jobs are field-walked and materials are verified onsite prior to package release.
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Develop procedures using OEM manuals, drawings, and specifications.
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Provide first-level troubleshooting to support development of job packages.
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Estimate labor hours, total duration, and required skills for each job.
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Create and maintain task lists for recurring work.
Materials, Procurement & Rotating Equipment Management
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Identify, specify, and arrange parts, materials, specialty tools, and external services.
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Create purchase requisitions (carts) and track material status through delivery.
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Track ordered materials and notify appropriate stakeholders when jobs are ready for release.
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Assist procurement in sourcing materials and expediting deliverables.
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Manage rotating equipment kits, including:
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Verifying inventory and condition
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Sending kits for refurbishment after use
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Ensure material availability aligns with schedule requirements.
Planning Integration, Scheduling & Cost Control
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Maintain planning progress aligned with turnaround milestones and stage gates.
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Support scheduling activities and ensure alignment with labor, cost, and resource planning.
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Ensure material cost estimates are properly reflected in the schedule (including bulks and tracked items).
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Support cost tracking, reporting, and variance analysis.
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Perform material cost overrun investigations and assist with resolution of billing issues.
Turnaround Execution & Field Support
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Coordinate execution support during turnarounds and critical jobs in alignment with company policies and safety culture.
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Provide field support during execution, including:
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Coordinating rotating, mechanical, or critical work scopes
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Interfacing with contractors, operations, and inspection teams
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Assist in high-priority work by expediting materials and coordinating resources.
Work Management, Closeout & Continuous Improvement
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Track job progress and schedules and ensure timely work order closure.
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Complete required MOC and Mesh (or system) action items.
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Capture field feedback and continuously improve work packages and task lists.
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Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Engineering to:
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Maintain spare parts inventory
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Build and update Bills of Materials (BOMs)
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Improve job plans based on execution feedback
TAR Controls, Reporting & Compliance
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Track and update daily progress in the TAR database, SAP, and Stage Gate lists.
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Ensure all scope changes are documented and approved through the FCO process.
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Ensure compliance with Management of Change (MOC) processes.
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Provide reports and maintain planning documentation as required.
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Maintain compliance with required training (CBT/LMS).
General Responsibilities
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Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
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Maintain a professional image with internal teams, contractors, and vendors.
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Assist other departments and administrative personnel as needed.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Education, Experience, and/or Training
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High school diploma or equivalent required.
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Minimum 10 years’ experience working with fixed equipment.
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Minimum 3 years’ experience working with rotating equipment.
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Minimum 3 years’ experience in Turnaround planning
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Scheduling knowledge required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Strong mechanical knowledge with a solid understanding of rotating equipment and associated maintenance practices.
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Demonstrated ability to accurately estimate labor, materials, tools, and resource requirements to develop executable work plans.
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Proficient in maintenance planning systems (SAP/Maximo or similar CMMS) and standard work management processes.
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Strong understanding of production and processing operations, including materials, equipment, quality control, and cost optimization.
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Knowledge of business and management principles related to planning, resource allocation, and coordination of work activities.
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Familiarity with applicable regulations, codes, and industry standards governing maintenance and turnaround activities.
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Highly organized with strong planning and time management skills; able to effectively prioritize and manage multiple competing demands.
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Detail-oriented with the ability to identify errors, minimize rework, and ensure high-quality planning outputs.
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Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to evaluate options and make sound decisions based on risk, cost, and operational impact.
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Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and contractors.
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Strong active listening and verbal communication skills to clearly convey technical information and understand stakeholder needs.
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Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and engage diverse groups of people.
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Proficient in computer applications including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and other digital tools required for planning, reporting, and communication.
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Strong analytical capability for cost tracking, reporting, and performance improvement activities.
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Dependable and self-motivated, consistently demonstrating accountability, responsiveness to direction, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to manage changing priorities, tight deadlines, and dynamic turnaround environments.
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Maintains a high level of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information.
Security Clearance Requirements
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Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC)
Software
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Outstanding proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook required. Demonstrated intermediate Excel knowledge preferred.
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SAP/Maximo experience, preferred.
Physical
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The employee must be able to lift and/or move more than 20 pounds occasionally.
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Requires sitting, standing, and walking for extensive periods of time.
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Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
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The ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment is required.
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Ability to effectively communicate through various means required.
Work Schedule
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Rotating 4/10 schedule Monday –6:00am – 4:30pm
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May work additional hours and days, including weekends and holidays as required.
Travel
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Travel is not anticipated in this role.
