Project Planner | Power and Renewables | Inverurie

Permanent position available with a considerable portfolio of works for the next 5+ years. To build your career by assisting in the delivery of ‘leading edge’ engineering projects. To work with a vibrant, agile and multi‑functional team in delivering projects on time, safely, to budget and to the required quality standards. To benefit from Kirby’s Career Development Programmes that will enhance your leadership capability. Excellent package on offer with room for negotiations.

About Kirby Group Engineering: Kirby Group Engineering is an international multi‑disciplinary engineering services contractor and leading provider of high‑value engineering services to a number of ‘blue chip’ companies. Operating across Ireland, the UK and Europe, Kirby has become the engineering service provider of choice in growth segments such as pharmaceuticals, data centres and power transmission and distribution. Our culture is innovative, collaborative and performance focused. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow and develop in a company committed to developing talent and rewarding performance.

Role Purpose: Kirby Group Engineering is expanding their planning team to support the delivery of complex, high voltage (HV) substation and transmission projects across Aberdeen / Inverurie and beyond. We’re looking for an experienced Project Planner who preferably understands the sequencing, risks, and logistics of electrical infrastructure builds, particularly substations (110kV‑400kV). You’ll work closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and Commercial teams to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and risk‑aware. If you’re detail‑oriented, technically minded, and thrive in fast‑paced grid environments, we want to hear from you.

Key Functions of the Project Planner:

• Review contract documentation and highlight key schedule and tracking requirements.
• Develop construction schedule based on high level target schedule and WBS received from Project Manager.
• Support in client schedule negotiations.
• Labour & metrics load the schedule based on hours & quantities received from the Commercial Team.
• Develop the required trackers and reporting templates.
• Develop fully integrated construction schedule in conjunction with the Main Contractor and Project Manager.
• Measure & track weekly progress and efficiency in consultation with the Site Team and validate this formally with the Commercial Team every 2–3 weeks.
• Highlight potential risks and roadblocks to the project team and lead planner on an ongoing basis.

Project Planner Responsibilities:

• Business Unit Support: Point of contact for the Project Manager for all project related planning issues. Develop schedules and histograms for bid support as required by the Lead Planner.
• Programme Co‑ordination (Planning Phase of Project Life Cycle): Support the implementation of the planning process. Review contract documentation concerning schedule and reporting requirements and ensure that they are met. Facilitate planning meeting(s) where required. Validate high level target schedule as received from PM considering current emerging IFC project information. Optimize build schedule & develop “Pinch Point Register” identifying where we are not in agreement with Main Contractors / CMT schedule. High level labour load of target schedule to be completed and S‑curve to be produced. Submit the schedule and S‑curve (and all subsequent schedules) for review and approval to the Lead Planner. Negotiation strategy to be developed to deal with main contractor schedule risk – influence favourable outcome to KGE. Organise with Kirby PM & attend meeting with Main Contractor / CMT to negotiate and agree Kirby optimum build schedule – minute and circulate. Revise / develop and add agreed level of detail to schedule. Assist Main Contractor / CMT in development of an overall integrated schedule. Ensure that the schedule is “Labour Loaded” and aligned with the Commercial Department budgets – highlight any weeks where large progress is forecasted to PM’s, Lead Planner & Planning Manager. Produce build methodology / phasing drawings. Present the latest version of the schedule to the construction team to ensure there is a thorough understanding. Support in risk identification & mitigation.
• Status and Performance Advisor (Controlling Phase of Project Life Cycle): Provide clear communication of early warnings to project management teams obtained from progress reports and knowledge of project field conditions. Advise project teams on ways to improve performance. Monitor package progress and efficiency (direct and subcontract) provide “estimate at completion” on labour man‑hour spend in conjunction with the Commercial Team. Chair and facilitate weekly “Look Ahead” meetings on site with SM’s as required. Progress measuring/recording & collating actual installation progress for installation progress reporting. Weekly spent/earned man‑hours efficiency reporting in conjunction with the Commercial Team. Compilation of and issuing of period progress reports (internal / external / dashboard). Produce weekly “Drop‑line Schedule” with 2 week look‑ahead and 2 week retrospective. Schedule management, revision and maintenance. Escalation of risk items to Lead Planner & Planning Manager.
• General: Look for new opportunities to improve service to “Internal Customers”. Look for new opportunities to improve processes.

Necessary requirement of the Project Planner:

• 3rd level qualification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or strong trades background coupled with technical ability will be considered.
• Ideally you will possess 3–5 years’ experience / demonstrate ability to develop and implement plans, monitor and control work.
• Must be capable of producing project plans from design and commercial information.
• Microsoft Project / P6 or equivalent planning software, Microsoft Office tools – excellent report writing skills.
• Time management essential to satisfy demands of busy schedule and reporting calendar.

For more information on this Project Planner/Planner position or other Senior Project Planner / Project Planner opportunities based in Ireland, the UK or Europe contact the Talent Acquisition Team in Kirby Group Engineering on +353 (0)1 454 0411 or apply in confidence.