Maintenance Planner

Job Description

The Maintenance Planner is responsible for designing, scheduling, and coordinating the planned maintenance workload for the Maintenance Section. The role builds and maintains the Preventive Maintenance Schedule (PMS), prepares work packs (parts, tools, procedures, manpower), and ensures that the right job is ready to be executed by the right team at the right time — minimising downtime and maximising asset availability. The position is the bridge between maintenance strategy and shop-floor execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintenance Planning and Scheduling:
  • Develop, maintain, and continuously refine the Preventive Maintenance Schedule (PMS) for all mining machinery, vehicles, and fixed equipment, based on OEM recommendations and operating data.
  • Plan and schedule weekly and monthly maintenance work, balancing PM tasks, corrective work orders, and equipment availability against production priorities.
  • Prepare detailed work packs for each scheduled job — including the work scope, parts list, tools required, procedures, and estimated labour hours.
  • Coordinate maintenance windows with the Production team to minimise impact on operations.
• Work Order Management:
  • Generate and release work orders to the maintenance teams in line with the schedule.
  • Track work order status (open, in progress, completed, on hold) and follow up on overdue or stuck jobs.
  • Close out completed work orders, ensuring all data (parts used, hours, findings) is captured before closure.
  • Maintain the work order backlog at healthy levels and report aged backlog to the Maintenance Supervisor.
• Spare Parts and Materials Coordination:
  • Identify spare parts and materials required for each scheduled job; raise reservations or requisitions through the Storekeeper ahead of execution.
  • Verify parts availability before releasing a job to the team; reschedule if parts are not available.
  • Monitor consumption patterns and recommend MIN/MAX corrections to the Storekeeper and Maintenance Supervisor.
• KPI Tracking and Reporting:
  • Track planning KPIs: PM compliance, schedule compliance, work order completion rate, planning accuracy, and aged backlog.
  • Produce weekly planning reports for the Maintenance Supervisor showing scheduled vs. completed work, slippages, and root causes.
  • Support the Data Administrator (engineering) with accurate work order and PM data inputs to the CMMS or maintenance database.
• CMMS and Documentation:
  • Maintain the integrity of the maintenance management system (CMMS or equivalent), ensuring schedules, work orders, and asset data are accurate and up to date.
  • Maintain and update standard maintenance procedures, job plans, and task libraries.
  • Document lessons learned from completed jobs and feed them back into improved job plans.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Analyse breakdown and PM data to identify opportunities to improve task frequency, scope, or methods.
  • Recommend changes to PM strategy (run-to-failure, time-based, condition-based) for specific assets, in collaboration with the Maintenance Supervisor.
  • Participate in root cause analysis (RCA) sessions and translate findings into updated job plans.
• Compliance and Safety:
  • Ensure all planned jobs include the relevant safety steps, permits, and risk assessments in the work pack.
  • Embed PPE, LOTO, hot work, and confined-space requirements into job plans where applicable.
  • Comply with HSSE, environmental, and company policies in all planning activities.
• Ad-hoc Duties:
  • Deputise for the Maintenance Administrative Assistant on routine administrative matters when required.
  • Perform other duties as required by management, within the scope of the role.

Job Requirements

Education and Certification

• A minimum of A1 Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, Electromechanics, or a related engineering field. A bachelor's degree is an added advantage.
• Certification in maintenance planning, reliability, or CMMS use (e.g., CMRT, SMRP) is a plus.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in maintenance planning, scheduling, or a hands-on maintenance role with planning exposure.
• Experience working with a CMMS or structured planning system is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in a mining, manufacturing, or heavy industrial environment is preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and auto-electrical systems on heavy industrial equipment.
• Proficient in CMMS / EAM platforms (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, Pragma, Fiix, or similar).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, pivots, charts) and competency in Microsoft Project or equivalent scheduling tools.
• Working knowledge of maintenance KPIs (PM compliance, schedule compliance, MTBF, MTTR).
• Ability to read technical drawings, P&IDs, schematics, and OEM service manuals.

Soft Skills

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work across maintenance teams, stores, and production.
• Ability to prioritise multiple tasks and work to deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Office-based role with regular site visits to validate plans, walk-down jobs, and engage with maintenance teams.

Other

• Willing to work occasional overtime to support major shutdowns or planned outages.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in maintenance planning and reliability practices.

How to Apply

recruitment.rmines@trinity-metals.com for Human Resources Office indicating the position you are applying for and addressed to the General Manager of Rutongo Mines Ltd.

A Motivation letter addressed to the General Manager explaining your suitability for the position.

A Curriculum vitae is a maximum of 3 pages with 3 referee names.

A copy of education and training certificates/diplomas/degrees

A copy of relevant work certificates.

A copy of ID