Senior Project Planner - EPCM & Mining

Our client, a leading Engineering and Consulting organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Project Planner to join their team based in Centurion.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, managing and monitoring comprehensive project schedules across complex, multidisciplinary engineering and infrastructure projects. The role requires an individual with strong project planning and scheduling expertise, an excellent understanding of project management principles, and the ability to coordinate multiple project workstreams to ensure successful project delivery.

While direct mining or underground mining experience is not essential, a good understanding of mining operations, engineering project environments and project execution processes will be highly advantageous.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Project Planning and Scheduling

• Develop, implement and maintain detailed project schedules throughout the project lifecycle, from engineering and design through to procurement, construction, commissioning and project close-out.
• Establish project timelines, key milestones, deliverables, dependencies and critical paths in collaboration with project managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and integrated project schedules.
• Ensure project schedules are aligned with contractual requirements, project objectives, resource availability and delivery milestones.

2. Project Monitoring and Progress Reporting

• Monitor actual project progress against approved baseline schedules and identify potential delays, deviations and scheduling constraints.
• Regularly update project schedules to reflect progress, changes and revised project requirements.
• Prepare and present weekly, monthly and ad-hoc project progress reports to management, clients and relevant stakeholders.
• Highlight schedule variances, identify areas of concern and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

3. Risk Management and Schedule Control

• Identify and assess risks that may affect project timelines, including procurement delays, resource constraints, scope changes and construction challenges.
• Conduct critical path analysis and identify activities that may impact key project milestones.
• Develop proactive mitigation and recovery plans to address potential delays.
• Monitor schedule performance and recommend interventions to maintain project delivery targets.

4. Resource Planning and Coordination

• Work closely with project managers and technical teams to align resource requirements with project schedules.
• Coordinate the availability of personnel, equipment, materials and other resources required for project execution.
• Identify resource constraints and scheduling conflicts and recommend solutions.
• Liaise with procurement teams to ensure that materials and equipment are delivered in accordance with project requirements.

5. Stakeholder and Project Team Coordination

• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, procurement specialists, contractors, clients and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate project planning and progress review meetings.
• Communicate scheduling challenges, project dependencies and potential delivery risks.
• Ensure alignment across multidisciplinary teams to support effective project execution.

6. Change Management and Schedule Optimisation

• Assess the scheduling impact of changes to project scope, deliverables, resources and execution strategies.
• Incorporate approved changes into project schedules and maintain accurate records of revisions.
• Identify opportunities to optimise project sequencing, resource utilisation and overall delivery timelines.
• Analyse scheduling trends and recommend improvements to project planning processes.

7. Cost and Performance Alignment

• Work alongside project managers and cost control teams to ensure project schedules are aligned with budgetary and resource constraints.
• Identify potential cost implications arising from scheduling delays or resource changes.
• Provide scheduling information and performance analysis to support project forecasting and decision-making.

8. Project Documentation and Close-Out

• Maintain accurate project schedules, planning documentation, progress reports and schedule revision records.
• Ensure all planning documentation complies with relevant project and organisational standards.
• Support project completion, final milestone tracking and formal project close-out.
• Participate in project evaluations and contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mining, Civil, Mechanical or Electrical), Construction Management, Project Management or a related technical field.
• A Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualification is preferred. Candidates holding a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) qualification will also be considered where supported by exceptional relevant experience.
• Minimum of 7 years' experience in project planning and scheduling within complex, multidisciplinary project environments.
• Strong understanding of project management principles, methodologies and project execution processes.
• Good knowledge and understanding of mining operations and engineering project environments.
• Proven experience developing and managing integrated project schedules across multiple project phases.
• Experience working with engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning activities.
• Strong understanding of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), critical path analysis, project baselines, progress measurement and schedule forecasting.
• Demonstrated ability to identify scheduling risks, manage project changes and develop schedule recovery strategies.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and reporting skills.

ADVANTAGEOUS

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or recognised Project Management qualification.
• PMBOK knowledge or formal training in project management methodologies.
• AACE International certification or other relevant project controls qualifications.
• Experience within Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) environments.
• Exposure to mining, minerals processing, infrastructure or large-scale industrial projects.
• Experience using multiple project planning and scheduling platforms.

PROJECT PLANNING SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE

Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in project planning and scheduling software. Experience with Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project is beneficial; however, exposure to additional scheduling and project management platforms will be advantageous.

Examples include:

• Primavera P6
• Microsoft Project
• Asta Powerproject
• Deltek Open Plan
• Oracle Primavera Cloud
• Safran Project
• TILOS
• EcoSys
• Synchro 4D
• Monday.com or Smartsheet (as supplementary project planning tools)

R 90 000 - R 130 000 CTC per month (depending on qualifications and experience)