Project Planner / Scheduler

About the role

This position requires individuals to be on-site in five days per week or as required by the client. Relocation assistance offered.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed OT/MES implementation schedules in Primavera P6 for multiple concurrent API facility projects
• Create Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) specific to automation systems, MES platforms, industrial networks, and process control systems
• Establish and maintain loose coupling between OT/MES schedules and master project schedules to enable independent tracking while preserving critical dependencies
• Define interface points, handoffs, and integration milestones between OT/MES scope and other project workstreams (construction, process equipment, utilities, CQV)
• Work closely with CQV (Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation) schedulers to align validation dependencies and testing sequences
• Cook up with master scheduler(s) on each project to ensure proper integration of OT/MES activities into overall project timelines
• Participate in integrated scheduling reviews to identify cross-discipline dependencies and conflicts
• Maintain consistent coding structures, calendars, and reporting standards across the scheduling team
• Contribute to portfolio-level schedule analysis and reporting
• Schedule automation system design, configuration, FAT/SAT activities, and deployment
• Plan MES software implementation phases including system build, integration testing, and cutover activities
• Schedule industrial network infrastructure installation and commissioning (switches, firewalls, server infrastructure)
• Schedule PLC/DCS programming, SCADA configuration, and system integration activities
• Plan for phased go-lives and production cutover windows in coordination with plant operations
• Account for shared resources (system integrators, IT personnel, vendors) across concurrent projects
• Schedule facility-specific requirements for both expansion projects and the greenfield facility
• Integrate CSV (Computer System Validation) activities into OT/MES schedules
• Schedule IQ/OQ/PQ, or similar, activities for automation and MES systems
• Identify and communicate OT/MES-related schedule risks and mitigation strategies
• Update schedules weekly based on progress from system integrators, vendors, and internal teams
• Generate OT/MES-specific reports and contribute to integrated project reporting

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of project scheduling experience, including extensive experience with Primavera P6
• Proven experience scheduling OT/MES implementations in a pharmaceutical or other regulated manufacturing environment for at least 5 years
• Direct experience working within a team of schedulers on large capital projects
• Background in API or pharmaceutical manufacturing facility projects strongly preferred
• Expert proficiency in Primavera P6 (required for this role)
• Strong understanding of schedule integration techniques and loose coupling methodologies
• Knowledge of MES platforms and their implementation lifecycles
• Understanding of OT systems including SCADA, DCS, PLC, industrial networks, and process automation
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical CSV requirements and validation protocols
• Ability to work with complex multi-project P6 databases
• Advanced critical path method (CPM) and schedule network analysis experience
• Experience defining and managing interface points between loosely coupled schedules
• Strong collaborative skills with ability to work effectively within a scheduling team
• Excellent communication skills for coordinating with CQV, construction, engineering, and IT teams
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently while maintaining team alignment
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical capabilities
• Experience with API manufacturing facilities and containment requirements
• Knowledge of GAMP 5 2nd Ed guidelines and 21 CFR Part 11 requirements
• Background in both brownfield (expansion) and greenfield facility projects
• Previous experience with multi-project P6 environments and enterprise project structures