Maintenance Planner
Job Title: Maintenance Planner
Department: Engineering / Maintenance
Reports To: Maintenance Manager / Engineering Manager
Location: Liverpool
Industry: Manufacturing / FMCG
Salary: £42,000
Working Pattern: Monday–Friday (Days)
Employment Type: Permanent / Full-Time
Overview
The Maintenance Planner will be responsible for developing and managing effective maintenance plans to support a fast-paced manufacturing/FMCG operation. This role ensures maintenance tasks are prioritised, scheduled, and executed safely and efficiently, reducing downtime and improving overall equipment reliability.
Key Responsibilities
Planning & Scheduling
Create, manage, and optimise the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedule through the CMMS system.
Prioritise and coordinate reactive and corrective maintenance work orders.
Plan labour, materials, tools, and contractor requirements for all maintenance activities.
Schedule major shutdowns, project work, and engineering upgrades.
Ensure all work orders are accurately logged, updated, and closed in a timely manner.
Coordination & Communication
Work closely with Engineering, Production, and Facilities teams to align maintenance activity with operational needs.
Coordinate external contractors, ensuring appropriate permits, RAMS, and compliance documentation are in place.
Lead or contribute to daily and weekly maintenance planning meetings, reviewing backlog, KPIs, and resourcing.
Compliance & Documentation
Maintain accurate asset records, maintenance history, and technical documentation.
Ensure all maintenance activity adheres to statutory guidelines and company safety procedures.
Support internal and external audits by maintaining high data integrity in the CMMS.
Continuous Improvement
Analyse maintenance performance data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Support initiatives such as root cause analysis, reliability improvements, and optimisation of the PPM schedule.
Assist in developing long-term maintenance strategies to enhance asset health and reduce breakdown risk.
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
Experience in a Maintenance Planner or Engineering Coordinator role within manufacturing or FMCG.
Strong understanding of mechanical and/or electrical maintenance practices.
Proficiency with CMMS or CAFM systems.
Excellent organisational, planning, and scheduling skills.
Ability to interpret technical drawings, manuals, and engineering instructions.
Good communication skills with the ability to liaise across multiple departments.
Strong understanding of health & safety and permit-to-work systems.
Desirable
Engineering qualification (NVQ Level 3, HNC, HND, Apprenticeship, or similar).
Background in high-volume, automated, or continuous-process environments.
Knowledge of reliability-centred maintenance techniques and lean methodologies.
Key Competencies
Attention to detail
Proactive planner
Strong problem-solving skills
Stakeholder management
Technical aptitude
Ability to manage multiple priorities