Senior Planner

About our Company 

Designer Group is a leading international mechanical & electrical provider specialising in turnkey packages for the design, supply, and installation of utilities. As an industry leader, we work with some of the world’s largest multinational companies and our common purpose is delivering ambitious, innovative and sustainable engineering solutions, building client partnerships that bear testament to the standards we uphold. 

Our people are the foundation of our continued growth across all client sectors. We invest in our people and have a philosophy of continuous professional development. This investment has produced an innovative and passionate team that deliver projects for our clients safely, efficiently and to the highest standards in the industry. Our approach to everything we do is underpinned by our Company Values of  Safe, Trust, Respect, Challenge, Deliver.

Why Work for Us?

We have outstanding people working in our business and we strive to hire those who can contribute to our ambitious growth plans and who enjoy contributing to diverse and dynamic teams.  We promise to be a values-led business where you can build a long and rewarding career and where you are provided with scope for development and opportunity for personal growth. 

The Role

As a Project Planner you will play an active role in project management support of multi-disciplined, multi-sector project delivery work by facilitating the planning, scheduling and controlling processes. Providing advice, support and clear communication of fact-based answers to key management questions which will aid in intelligent and effective decision making and must escalate and flag internally to the Lead Planner (& Planning Manager) immediately where there is risk to the company.
  Key Functions of the Project Planner

*        Review Contract documentation and highlight key schedule and tracking requirements

*        Develop Construction schedule based on high level target schedule and WBS received from Project manager

*        Support in client schedule negotiations

*        Labour & Metrics load the schedule based on hours & quantities received from the Commercial Team

*        Develop the required Trackers and Reporting templates

*        Develop fully integrated construction schedule in conjunction with the Main Contractor and Project Manager

*        Measure & track weekly progress and efficiency in consultation with the Site Team and validate this formally with the Commercial Team every 2/3 weeks

*        Highlight potential risks and roadblocks to the project team and lead planner on an ongoing basis

  Project Planner Responsibilities

In conjunction with your project team, you will be responsible for the execution of various stages of a project as follows:  
1.         Business Unit Support:

*        Point of contact for the Project Manager for all project related planning issues

* Develop Schedule’s and Histograms for Bid Support as required by the Lead Planner

2.         Programme Co-ordination (Planning Phase of Project Life Cycle):  

*        Support the implementation of Planning Process

*        Review Contract documentation concerning Schedule and Reporting Requirements and ensure that they are met

*        Facilitate Planning Meeting(s) where required

*        Validation of High-Level Target Schedule as received from PM considering current emerging IFC project information

*        Optimize build schedule & develop “Pinch Point Register” identifying where we are not in agreement with Main Contractors / CMT schedule

*        High level labour load of Target Schedule to be completed and S-Curve to be produced

*        Submit the Schedule and S-curve (& all subsequent schedules) for review and approval to the Lead Planner

*        Negotiation strategy to be developed to deal with main contractor schedule risk – influence favorable outcome

*        Organize with company PM & attend meeting with Main Contractor / CMT to negotiate and agree company optimum build schedule – minute and circulate

*        Revise/Develop and add agreed level of detail to schedule

*        Assist Main Contractor/CMT in development of an overall integrated schedule

*        Ensure that the schedule is “Labour Loaded” and aligned with the Commercial Department Budgets – highlight any weeks where large progress is forecasted to PM’s, Lead Planner & Planning Manager

*        Produce Build Methodology/Phasing Drawings

*        Present the latest version of the schedule to the construction team to ensure there is a thorough understanding

*        Support in Risk identification & mitigation

  3.         Status and Performance Advisor (Controlling Phase of Project Life Cycle):  

*        Provide clear communication of early warnings to project management teams obtained from progress reports and knowledge of project field conditions

*        Advise project teams on ways to improve performance

*        Monitor package progress and efficiency (direct and subcontract) provide “estimate at completion” on labor man-hour spend in conjunction with the Commercial Team

*        Chair and facilitate weekly “Look Ahead” Meetings on site with SM’s as required

*        Progress Measuring/recording & collating actual installation progress for installation progress reporting

*        Weekly Spent/Earned man-hours efficiency reporting in conjunction with the Commercial Team

*        Compilation of and issuing of period progress reports (internal/external / dashboard)

*        Produce Weekly “Drop-line Schedule” cw. 2 week look ahead and 2-week retrospective

*        Schedule management, revision and maintenance

*        Escalation of risk items to Lead Planner & Planning Manager

  4.         General  

*        Identify new opportunities to improve service

  Essential Criteria 

*        Degree qualification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or strong trades background coupled with technical ability will be considered

*        Ideally you will possess 4+ years’ experience/demonstrate ability to develop and implement plans, monitor and control work

*        Previous experience in a pharma/biomedical/medical devices environment is required.

*        Must be capable of producing project plans from design and commercial information

*        Microsoft Project/P6 or Equivalent Planning Software, Microsoft Office tools

*        Excellent report writing skills

*        Time management essential to satisfy demands of busy schedule and reporting calendar

  Desired Competencies/special role requirements

*        Primavera P6 planning software experience