Maintenance Planner

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany•Kankakee, IL

8d•$27 - $42

About The Position

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in keeping a 24/7 operation running at its best? As our Maintenance Planner, you’ll be the organizing force behind all maintenance activities—ensuring that preventive, corrective, and urgent repairs are scheduled, resourced, and executed for seamless performance. You’ll collaborate with technicians, engineers, vendors, and contractors to minimize downtime and ensure critical equipment is always ready for action. In this position, you’ll manage our computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), ensure records are accurate and up to date, and oversee spare parts inventory and equipment calibration. You’ll coordinate with procurement, support audits, and play a key part in driving safety, quality, and compliance across our facility. Your analytical skills will help identify trends, optimize processes, and support data-driven decision-making. You’ll also play a key role in communicating with cross-functional teams and facilitating alignment on maintenance priorities. You will also have proven experience planning and scheduling maintenance activities in a fast-paced environment, ideally with a background in CMMS or similar systems. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential, as you’ll coordinate across diverse teams, lead change management and change control processes, and ensure all maintenance activities meet regulatory and quality standards. You’ll manage operational budgets, proactively identifying and resolving issues, and maintaining thorough documentation. You’ll drive continuous improvement, work independently, and foster a culture of safety, reliability, and accountability. A collaborative mindset, adaptability, and a commitment to both operational excellence and responsible budget stewardship are key to making a real impact here. Join a team that values growth, inclusivity, and innovation—where your work directly impacts our success and the satisfaction of everyone who relies on our operation.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
3+ years of maintenance or operations experience.
2+ years experience with inventory management.
Don/wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Nice To Haves

2+ years experience in ISO 9001 & GMP.
2+ years experience with management of change process.
Experience in Oracle, SAP, or other ERP systems.
Experience with computerized maintenance management system ( CCMS, Blue Mountain).
3+ years of experience purchasing and invoice management or equivalent.
3+ years in Maintenance Planning.
Excellent oral, and written communication skills. Experience in technical writing.
Excellent teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and interpersonal skills. “Can Do”, positive mindset.
Ability to work independently and in a team with minimal supervision.
Generate process improvement ideas and communicate them to management.
Ability to complete all required documentation using Good Documentation Practices.
Exemplary attendance, adherence to schedule and excellent time management skills.

Responsibilities

Manage computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
Ensure records are accurate and up to date
Oversee spare parts inventory and equipment calibration
Coordinate with procurement
Support audits
Drive safety, quality, and compliance
Identify trends, optimize processes, and support data-driven decision-making
Communicate with cross-functional teams and facilitating alignment on maintenance priorities
Coordinate across diverse teams
Lead change management and change control processes
Ensure all maintenance activities meet regulatory and quality standards
Manage operational budgets
Proactively identifying and resolving issues
Maintaining thorough documentation
Drive continuous improvement
Foster a culture of safety, reliability, and accountability