Project Planner

Job Description: Assistant Project Planner

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Reporting to: Project Planner / Planning Manager

Duration of Role: Permanent

Company: Tate Middle East

About Tate

At Tate we are passionate about everything we do. As an independent brand operating within Kingspan Group, a global plc, Tate has been recognised worldwide as an industry leader in the development and manufacture of data centre infrastructure solutions and commercial office raised access floors for over 60 years. With revenues of over $500m and growing, Tate plays a pivotal role in offering expertise in cutting-edge design engineering, working collaboratively with clients as a trusted partner.

As a market leader within our industry, Tate continues to grow and expand, operating 12 manufacturing sites across the US, Europe and Australia. We are excited about our fresh, dynamic and inclusive team of experts working on new innovations and forward-thinking designs. We continue to invest heavily in the best available manufacturing tools and equipment needed to adhere to Tate’s world-class standards. In keeping with our Planet Passionate sustainability strategy, our mission is to accelerate a net zero emissions future built environment with the wellbeing of people and planet at its heart.

About the Role

The Assistant Project Planner will provide day-to-day planning and reporting support to the regional planning and project delivery teams. The role is designed for an early-career planner who wants to build practical experience in data centre and construction delivery while learning how design, procurement, manufacturing, logistics and site activities are linked within an integrated programme.

Working under the guidance of the Project Planner or Planning Manager, the postholder will maintain schedule information, collect progress updates, prepare planning reports and support programme coordination. The role does not hold overall ownership of the planning function; its purpose is to improve the accuracy, timeliness and consistency of project controls across live projects.

This role is based out of our office in Dubai, UAE, supporting Tate installations across data centres within the Middle East. Travel may be required for client meetings, manufacturing coordination and site visits.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Support

· Assist with developing and updating project programmes covering design, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, installation and commissioning.

· Input approved progress updates, actual dates, remaining durations and revised forecasts into the planning system.

· Maintain short-term look-ahead schedules, milestone trackers and action logs under the direction of the lead planner.

· Help ensure schedule information is clearly structured, version-controlled and issued to agreed reporting cycles.

Progress Monitoring & Reporting

· Collect weekly progress information from project, design, supply chain, manufacturing and site teams.

· Check submissions for completeness and follow up missing or inconsistent information.

· Prepare draft progress reports, charts and dashboards showing planned versus actual progress, key milestones and upcoming activities.

· Highlight emerging slippage, constraints and interface issues to the Project Planner or Planning Manager.

Project Coordination

· Support coordination between design, procurement, manufacturing, logistics and site teams.

· Attend planning and project review meetings, record planning actions and track close-out.

· Assist with aligning manufacturing and delivery dates with site readiness and installation sequencing.

· Maintain planning inputs for tender-to-project handover and mobilisation.

Planning Controls & Records

· Maintain programme registers, calendars, coding structures, baseline records and approved revisions.

· Assist with simple critical-path, float and variance reviews, escalating concerns rather than independently determining contractual impact.

· Support preparation of recovery or mitigation schedules using information agreed by project leadership.

· Maintain accurate records that support project controls and contractual reporting requirements.

Process Improvement & Team Support

· Use Tate planning templates, standard operating procedures and reporting formats consistently.

· Help improve trackers, meeting inputs and dashboard data where practical.

· Share lessons learned and participate in planning-system and project-controls training.

· Provide general planning administration to support the regional project portfolio.

Compliance

· Adhere to the Company’s compliance obligations, policies, processes and procedures.

· Report compliance concerns, issues and failures.

· Participate in training as required.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Education

Diploma or degree in construction management, civil engineering, project management, quantity surveying, manufacturing, operations or a related discipline. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience

· Approximately 1-3 years of experience in project coordination, planning, project controls, construction, manufacturing or engineering is desirable.

· Strong graduates with relevant placements or internships may also be considered.

· Exposure to data centres, mission-critical construction, modular manufacturing or installation projects would be advantageous.

Technical Skills

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Project is desirable.

· Exposure to Primavera P6 is advantageous, but training can be provided.

· Strong Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint capability.

· Basic understanding of programmes, milestones, dependencies, critical path, progress measurement and look-ahead planning.

· Awareness of design, procurement, manufacturing, logistics or site delivery interfaces is beneficial.

Competencies

· Organised and accurate, with strong attention to detail.

· Comfortable following up actions and coordinating information across several teams.

· Clear written and verbal communication skills.

· Able to challenge data constructively and escalate issues promptly.

· Motivated to learn and develop within a planning and project-controls environment.

· Able to work independently on assigned tasks and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Success Measures

· Reliable and timely weekly progress information.

· Accurate programme updates and clearly maintained planning records.

· Early escalation of missing data, constraints and milestone risks.

· Consistent use of Tate planning templates and reporting standards.

· Visible development in Microsoft Project or Primavera P6 and integrated project planning.

Development Opportunity

This role provides a structured route toward a Project Planner position. Development will focus on schedule creation, progress measurement, critical-path awareness, resource planning, reporting and the integration of factory output with site delivery.

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Tate is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us in our mission to make a difference through exceptional solutions.