Turnaround Lead scheduler

Neste; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Neste is seeking a Turnaround Lead Scheduler in Rotterdam. This role focuses on scheduling and resource optimisation for turnarounds, ensuring safety, cost efficiency, and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, coupled with 5-10 years of relevant experience in planning and scheduling within process plants. Strong interpersonal skills and experience with scheduling tools are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in process-plant turnaround and maintenance activities.
• Deep knowledge of process-plant production and maintenance.
• Experience with turnaround execution and management.
• Excellent people and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Report scheduling status to the Turnaround Steering Team.
• Document scope changes and incorporate them into the schedule.
• Establish schedule development milestones.
• Lead constructability reviews and schedule optimisation.
• Coordinate with Operations for system handover schedules.

Skills

Scheduling tools (MS Project, Primavera, SAFRAN)

Project management

Contractor supervision

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Turnaround Lead Scheduler

The Turnaround Scheduler will be responsible for effectively and efficiently scheduling, resource optimisation for turnarounds and unit shutdowns. The schedule must achieve key deliverables such as safety, cost, schedule, quality and efficiency to secure high operational availability.

Responsibilities

• Report scheduling status, estimated completion dates and preparation status to the Turnaround Steering Team on a regular basis.
• Document scope changes and incorporate them into the schedule.
• Document the scheduling basis, key milestones, reporting needs, assumptions, priorities and structural elements such as resource coding, WBS, work order numbering, logic ties and hold points, and interface with scheduling software.
• Establish schedule development milestones (baseline issue, optimisation, critical‑path analysis, level, final schedule).
• Lead constructability reviews, critical‑path analysis and schedule optimisation reviews to keep maintenance, investment projects and operations fully integrated.
• Test productivity assumptions and tie hold points to inspection, QA/QC, PSSR and MOC activities.
• Coordinate with the Turnaround Lead / Ops Lead and other stakeholders to determine daily schedule reporting needs and establish look‑ahead processing requirements.
• Define and document field schedule progress updating and reporting strategy and deliver schedule‑progress training.
• Coordinate with Operations to establish pre‑ and post‑shutdown, system handover schedules and the needed Operations resources.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Execution Coordinators to support contracting strategy, bidding, package preparation, bid review and contractors’ mobilisation planning.
• Serve as a member of the Turnaround Core Team led by the TA Lead, together with Cost Controller, Planner and Coordinators (Inspection, QA, Operations, Materials, Contracts, Safety, Procurement).

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in process‑plant turnaround and maintenance activities, especially in planning and scheduling.
• Deep knowledge of process‑plant production and maintenance, contractor supervision and management.
• Experience with turnaround execution and management, including contracting, safety and quality management, and familiarity with all turnaround phases from long‑range planning to post‑turnaround review.
• Project‑management skills suited to fast‑paced, high‑intensity and time‑constrained turnaround environments.
• Strong experience with scheduling tools such as MS Project, Primavera or SAFRAN.
• Familiarity with contracts, supply agreements, terms and conditions and ability to work effectively with contractors, suppliers, vendors and partners.
• Excellent people and communication skills, with the ability to organise, deploy and manage resources effectively.
• Team‑player with a collaborative and trust‑building mindset.
• Situational appraisal skills, prioritisation, sense of urgency and strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude and ability to make timely decisions.

Send your CV to [e-mail] and contact Jaron G. Pouwelse for any questions. The recruitment process will include interviews and an aptitude assessment.