Interested in exploring what a career as a mechanical planner would look like? Today we’ll discuss the requirements, the necessary training, and education, as well as the day to day of a mechanical or maintenance planner professional. Here’s what you need to know.
Job Overview
Many companies rely on the machines that make their products, and it is up to their mechanical planners to ensure that all equipment is running properly. Mechanical planners create maintenance schedules, maintain parts inventory, and work closely with maintenance staff, contractors, and outside vendors to get the job done. They typically work in manufacturing plants. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected employment growth rate for general maintenance and repair workers, including mechanical planners, is expected to be 6 percent through 2024. A continued resurgence in this type of occupation is expected and is the primary reason for this job growth projection as many workers reach retirement age.
Key Responsibilities
Mechanical planners must oversee various tasks to successfully ensure that all plant equipment is in good working condition. They are counted on to do the following on a day to day basis.
1. Generate Work Orders and Create Schedules
Keeping a schedule of required maintenance and completed work is one of the main responsibilities of this job. Mechanical planners must maintain records of the work history of each piece of equipment and work with plant managers and other personnel to schedule regular maintenance on all machines.
2. Obtain the Necessary Tools and Supplies
Mechanical planners must know about all types of machines and understand the various tools that are specific to each machine to perform maintenance tasks. They must order and keep an inventory of tools, supplies, and parts needed for various types of equipment.
3. Create and Update Procedural Manuals
Mechanical planners are also usually in charge of training all personnel who conduct maintenance on industrial machines. They develop manuals covering training, maintenance, and reporting procedures.
Necessary Skills
As with most employees within an industrial setting, strong communication, mathematical, organizational, and problem-solving skills are critical. Mechanical planners should also have good eye-hand coordination and possess a strong understanding of mechanical and engineering concepts. They should be a detail-oriented individual with the ability to meet deadlines and organize and oversee teams.
Additionally, employers look for strong candidates with the skills needed to create maintenance schedules for plant equipment, determine the tools and supplies needed for each type of machine they oversee, as well as order and keep spare parts for various machines as needed. They are also required to estimate the costs of labor and parts for industrial equipment. Advanced candidates in this line of work also understand basic financial concepts, such as estimating and budgeting, as well as have advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications, such as Excel.
Grow Your Career with Williams
For additional guidance to grow your career in this line of work, connect with a recruiting specialist at Williams Staffing today.
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