Maintenance Planner
SOC 11-3013.00 · ESCO 4322 · OSCA 313331
Role snapshot
Overview
Schedules and coordinates preventive and corrective maintenance for machinery, equipment, and facilities. Tracks work orders, manages spare parts inventory, and ensures maintenance is completed on time to minimise downtime. Develops detailed maintenance plans, allocates resources, and collaborates with production teams to optimize operational efficiency and asset reliability.
Ensures operational continuity and maximises equipment lifespan by proactively planning and executing maintenance activities, thereby reducing costly breakdowns and production delays.
On the job
- Develop detailed preventive maintenance schedules and procedures
- Coordinate with maintenance technicians, operations, and external contractors for work execution
- Manage and optimize spare parts inventory, including ordering and tracking
- Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to track work orders and asset history
- Analyse maintenance data to identify trends and recommend improvements to reliability
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
Typically requires a vocational certificate, associate's degree, or relevant experience in a technical field, often supplemented by specific maintenance planning certifications.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Maintenance Planner
Manufacturing & Production
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
enterprising · ECR
People who enjoy organizing and coordinating technical activities, working with tangible equipment, and ensuring efficient operations through detailed planning and process adherence tend to thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Organized
Systematically plans and schedules maintenance activities, ensuring all details are covered and procedures are followed.
Reliable
Consistently delivers on maintenance plans and commitments, minimizing disruption to operations.
Practical
Focuses on efficient and effective solutions for equipment maintenance and operational continuity.
Composed
Maintains a calm and steady approach when faced with unexpected equipment failures or urgent demands.
Collaborative
Works effectively with technicians, production staff, and vendors to coordinate maintenance efforts.
Directive
Takes initiative to coordinate resources and ensure maintenance tasks are completed according to plan.
Best for
- Individuals who thrive on bringing order and efficiency to complex operational environments.
- Those who enjoy coordinating people and resources to achieve critical technical outcomes.
- Professionals who value precision, reliability, and continuous improvement in industrial settings.
Watch out for
- Requires a methodical approach; less suited for those who prefer highly unstructured or purely creative roles.
- Can involve managing unexpected breakdowns and conflicting priorities, which requires a calm and organized response.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Maintenance Planner — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
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