Permanent - Workshop Production Planner - Ekurhuleni (East Rand) - South Africa

Position Overview

Position requires a detail-oriented, highly organized Workshop Planner to join the team.

This role is strictly focused on workshop operations and scheduling. You will act as the workshop planner for all jobs passing through the company's workshop floors. This includes managing schedules for new machine builds, spare parts fabrication, and equipment repairs.

You will work closely with the workshop team to map out production timelines, track daily progress, and optimize workshop efficiency.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

Scheduling & Timeline Management:

• Create master workshop schedules using Microsoft Project for all parallel workloads, including new equipment builds, spare components, and breakdown repairs.
• Update workflows for the workshop floors to balance work distribution across the machine -, fabrication - and assembly shops.
• Identify the critical path for complex assembly and refurbishment projects to anticipate bottlenecks before they impact delivery dates.

Tracking & Progress Optimization:

• Track daily jobs and monitor work-in-progress (WIP) to ensure tasks stay aligned with planned timelines.
• Forecast realistic completion dates based on actual workshop performance data and machine availability.
• Identify execution bottlenecks or schedule slippages, and communicate warnings in advance.

Stakeholder & Operational Support:

• Provide scheduling support to the workshop to help optimize the workflow through and between departments.
• Update schedules based on feedback received from the Commercial Department regarding lead times, order updates, and target delivery windows.

Qualifications & Experience:

Education & Experience:

• Education: A high school diploma or equivalent (NQF Level 4) is a prerequisite, math and science as main subjects would be advantageous. A National Diploma or Higher Certificate would be advantageous.
• Experience Level: at least 5 years of planning/scheduling experience within the heavy fabrication sector. Direct exposure to the mining machinery sector is highly advantageous.

Technical & Software Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Project (essential for building, updating, and maintaining workshop schedules).
• Strong command of MS Office software, with intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (for tracking and basic data sorting) and MS Word.
• Engineering Drawing Interpretation: must be able to read and interpret fabrication, machining and assembly drawings
• Bill of Materials (BOM) Familiarity: must be able to look at a master assembly BOM to sequence which sub-assemblies need to be pre-planned and completed first.

Core Competencies:

• Strong logical thinking with an aptitude for sequencing tasks and calculation of timeframes.
• Assertive communication style to gather progress updates comfortably from busy workshop floors.
• Resilience and adaptability to re-prioritize schedules rapidly when urgent repair or breakdown jobs enter the workflow.