Project Planner - Groundworks & Civil Engineering
Smith's (gloucester) Limited
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd is seeking a Construction Project Planner to develop, monitor and manage complex civil engineering programmes across multiple groundworks projects. You will work with Pre-Construction and Contracts teams, and keep clients informed with regular reporting.
The role requires strong planning software skills, experience in NEC/contractual environments, and a proactive approach to mitigating delays.
Qualifications
- Strong understanding of construction sequencing and methodologies.
- Experience producing and managing construction programmes.
- Proficient in planning software such as Microsoft Project, Asta Powerproject and Primavera.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret drawings and technical information.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Responsibilities
- Develop comprehensive project programmes and NEC-compliant plans.
- Monitor progress and update programmes with site progress.
- Analyse programme performance and identify delays or risks.
- Provide planning support for groundworks and civil packages.
- Support commercial and contract activities with programme evidence.
- Prepare tender, construction, target and recovery programmes.
- Produce weekly/monthly programme reports and dashboards.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Who are we?
Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd is a family run business owned and run by the Smith family since 1982. Smiths has grown from a single owner-operated plant hire company to a multifaceted group with family values still firmly at the heart of each project undertaken. With depots in Avonmouth, Cardiff, Gloucester, Stonehouse and Tewkesbury we operate predominately across the South-West of England. We specialise in Construction, Waste Management, Plant Hire, Demolition and Transport operations.
The Construction Project Planner is responsible for the development, monitoring and management of project programmes across multiple groundworks and civil engineering projects. The role will ensure projects are accurately planned, resourced, monitored and reported to support safe, efficient and profitable delivery.
Working closely with Pre-Construction Manager, Commercial Manager, Contracts Managers, Site Managers, and Clients, the Planner will create robust construction programmes, identify risks and opportunities, monitor progress against key milestones, efficiently deal with change management, and provide regular reporting to senior management.
The role plays a critical part in ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and in accordance with contractual obligations.
Develop comprehensive project programmes using industry-standard planning software.
Produce NEC compliant programmes
Determine scalable outputs for self-delivered works.
Produce tender, construction, target and recovery programmes.
Establish project critical paths and identify programme risks.
Develop resource requirements aligned to construction programmes.
Prepare look-ahead programmes
Assist operational teams in sequencing works for optimum productivity.
Monitor progress against agreed baselines.
Update project programmes using actual site progress information.
Analyse programme performance and identify delays or slippage.
Recommend mitigation and recovery measures where required.
Support monthly project reviews through accurate programme reporting.
Track key milestones and contractual completion dates.
Attend site visits and project progress meetings.
Work collaboratively with Contracts Managers and Site Teams.
Provide planning support for complex groundworks and civil engineering packages.
Identify opportunities to improve productivity and project efficiencies.
Support mobilisation and sequencing of plant, labour and subcontract resources.
Produce weekly and monthly programme reports.
Generate progress updates for senior management and clients.
Present programme performance at operational review meetings.
Provide earned value and progress analysis where required.
Maintain programme dashboards and KPI reporting systems.
Assist Commercial Teams with extension of time submissions.
Provide supporting programme evidence for contractual claims.
Demonstrate the impact of variations and compensation events.
Support dispute avoidance through robust programme management.
Monitor and report programme-related commercial risks.
Assist estimating and bid teams in developing tender programmes.
Review proposed construction methodologies.
Assess construction durations and resource requirements.
Provide planning input during bid submissions and client presentations.
Preparing phasing plans, logistic plans, and methodology statements to support tender submissions.
Support project handovers from pre-construction into operations.
The successful candidate will provide planning support for:
Housing infrastructure projects
Groundworks
Roads and sewers works
Earthworks and bulk excavation
Drainage and utilities
Commercial developments
Industrial developments
Retaining structures
Public realm works
Ground remediation projects
Civil engineering
Strong understanding of construction sequencing and methodologies.
Experience producing and managing construction programmes.
Proficient in Microsoft Project, Asta Powerproject, Primavera
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to interpret drawings and technical information.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Full UK Driving Licence.
At least 5 years previous experience within Groundworks or Civil Engineering.
HNC/HND or Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or related discipline.
Membership of CIOB, ICE or APM.
Knowledge of NEC and JCT contract environments.
Understanding of delay analysis and extension of time processes.
Planning and organisation
Commercial awareness
Attention to detail
Communication and influencing skills
Data analysis and reporting
Problem solving
Time management
Decision making
Collaboration
Continuous improvement mindset
What can we offer you as Construction Project Planner?
Life Assurance Scheme
Free on-site Parking
Company Vehicle or Car Allowance
Earn Additional Annual Leave with Length of Service
Corporate gym membership discount
Annual Salary Review
Employee discount (50% on Skip Hire, other discounts on group services)
Progression opportunities
24 hour unlimited access to mental health support
What are our core values?
If these values align with yours you are in the right place!
Honesty - We believe that honesty in all matters is the best policy.
Family values - We operate as a family unit with high moral standards, discipline and respect.
Hardworking - We are certain that nothing is impossible if you work hard enough at it.
Reliability - We pride ourselves on not letting people down and being true to our word.
Environmental sustainability - We aim to minimise the impact that our company has on the environment by reducing emissions and waste, and recycling a large proportion of our waste (90% plus). We truly believe in a greener future for generations to come.
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