API Maintenance Planner

Orion Group; Clonmel; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Group Life Sciences is recruiting an API Maintenance Planner for a multinational biopharmaceutical client in Tipperary. The role is a 12-month contract with 100% onsite work and reports to the Maintenance & Reliability Lead.

The ideal candidate will support the Maintenance Management System, develop and maintain the PPM program, and coordinate CM backlog management while liaising with external providers to ensure timely, safe, and compliant maintenance activities.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in maintenance planning and scheduling.
• Experience with preventive maintenance systems and change control.
• Ability to plan shutdown activities and coordinate with multiple teams.
• Strong data analysis and KPI reporting abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the overall development, implementation and day-to-day operation of the Maintenance Management System.
• Develop and maintain the Preventive Planned Maintenance (PPM) system, including writing job plans and establishing maintenance frequencies.
• Liaise with the Maintenance & Reliability Engineer on the PdM programme.
• Operate and execute the PPM Change Control System to ensure changes are documented and implemented.
• Coordinate Work Scheduling to meet PM and CM backlog targets.
• Act as second-level Gatekeeper to assess incoming work requests and CM backlogs.
• Plan CM work orders by site visits, resource confirmation, materials, risk assessments and task lists.
• Collaborate with contractors for maintenance activities and vendor support.
• Develop and communicate maintenance KPIs (PPM compliance, overdue PMs, schedule adherence, MTBF, PdM execution, backlog).
• Plan, estimate and coordinate Annual Plant Shutdown activities.
• Support annual equipment reviews and reliability trend reporting.
• Promote Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement in maintenance.
• Develop Standard Work for routine activities and assist in asset criticality assessments.
• Coordinate with Project Engineering on new maintenance strategies.

Skills

Maintenance planning

Scheduling

PdM knowledge

Safety & GMP awareness

Stakeholder communication

Data-driven improvements

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Orion Group Life Sciences are currently recruiting an API Maintenance Planner on behalf of our Multinational Biopharmaceutical Client based in Tipperary on an initial 12 - month contract with potential to extend. Days Position – 100% Onsite. Reporting To: Maintenance & Reliability Lead.

Principal Accountabilities

• Support the overall development, implementation and day-to-day operation of the Maintenance Management System under the direction of the Maintenance & Reliability Lead.
• Develop and maintain the Preventive Planned Maintenance (PPM) system, including writing job plans and establishing appropriate maintenance frequencies.
• Liaise with the Maintenance & Reliability Engineer on the implementation and ongoing development of the Predictive Maintenance (PdM) programme.
• Operate and execute the PPM Change Control System, ensuring changes are appropriately managed, documented and implemented.
• Work in conjunction with the Maintenance Manager and Operations Scheduler to coordinate the Work Scheduling process and ensure site‑specific targets for PM and CM backlog management are achieved.
• Act as a second‑level Gatekeeper, following the Operations Gatekeeper review, to assess incoming work requests, ensuring data accuracy, correct work type selection and effective management of CM backlogs.
• Actively plan Corrective Maintenance (CM) work orders by:
  • Visiting job sites.
  • Identifying and confirming required resources.
  • Booking and ordering materials.
  • Preparing task lists and job plans.
  • Completing or supporting appropriate risk assessments.
  • Ensuring work is adequately prepared for execution.
• Work closely with contract providers and external service providers to plan work requests requiring vendor or contractor assistance, including mechanical and electrical contractors.
• Work closely with the Maintenance & Reliability Engineer to develop, monitor and communicate relevant maintenance KPIs for the maintenance team, including:
  • PPM Compliance %.
  • Overdue PMs.
  • Schedule Adherence.
  • Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).
  • % PdM Executed.
  • Maintenance backlog performance.
• Plan, estimate and coordinate all aspects of maintenance and project activities associated with the Annual Plant Shutdown.
• Support the Maintenance & Reliability Lead in the development of the annual equipment review.
• Support the Maintenance & Reliability Engineer in the development of periodic maintenance and reliability trend reports.
• Support and assist the Maintenance & Reliability Lead in implementing maintenance best‑practice methodologies and technologies.
• Support the use of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) processes and continuous improvement methodologies within maintenance activities.
• Develop Standard Work for routine maintenance activities where appropriate.
• Liaise with Project Engineering and the Maintenance & Reliability Engineer on equipment criticality assessments.
• Support the development of new maintenance strategies and maintenance plans for new assets.

Plant Annual Shutdown Planning Process

Responsibilities include:

• Schedule shutdown review meetings between all relevant departmental and contractor groups.
• Develop detailed work plans and schedules for all departmental and contractor work activities.
• Procure materials, tools and equipment required to complete planned shutdown activities.
• Plan and schedule contractor work groups to ensure resources are available when needed.
• Coordinate and plan all interrelated departmental and contractor work activities.
• Coordinate and plan plant and equipment availability with the relevant Mechanical Coordinator and Utilities Coordinator.
• Ensure maintenance activities are appropriately sequenced and coordinated to support the efficient execution of the shutdown.
• Monitor planned activities against agreed schedules and identify potential delays, resource constraints or conflicts.
• Support effective communication between Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, Utilities and contractor groups throughout the shutdown planning process.
• Compile the Maintenance Shutdown Report for inclusion in the overall site report.
• Support post-shutdown reviews and identify opportunities for improvement in future shutdown planning and execution.

Core Competencies

Technical

• Knowledge of electrical installation practices and maintenance.
• Knowledge of piping installation practices and maintenance.
• Knowledge of hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Knowledge and experience in maintenance planning and scheduling.
• Ability to use and maintain site plant and machinery databases.
• Understanding of process operations.
• Knowledge of safety, GMP, environmental and validation permits, policies and procedures.
• Understanding and application of relevant engineering standards.
• Understanding of vendor limitations and capabilities.
• Understanding of contractor capabilities and limitations.

Business

• Strong written, oral and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings.
• Estimating skills, including labour and materials.
• Strong team-working and interpersonal skills.
• Strong planning, organising and sourcing skills.
• Effective safety assessment skills.
• Good listening and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in relevant computer and software systems, including:
  • SAP or equivalent maintenance management systems.
  • Microsoft Word.
  • Microsoft Excel.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint.

Leadership

• Maintain a strong focus on customer needs.
• Ability to integrate ideas and collaborate effectively with others.
• Ability to organise and plan work assignments effectively.
• Ability to make sound judgements when setting priorities and managing deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to meet individual and group objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build positive working relationships across different functions.
• Demonstrate ownership, accountability and a proactive approach to work.

People are our business worldwide.

Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.