Senior Specialist Shutdown Planning & Scheduling at First Quantum Minerals, Solwezi

Senior Specialist Shutdown Planning & Scheduling at First Quantum Minerals in Solwezi. Full-time. Apply with swipeandhired.

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:
Shutdown Planning & Scheduling

• Develop, maintain, and control integrated shutdown schedules using Microsoft Project.
• Build and maintain detailed Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), activity logic, milestones, calendars, constraints, and critical paths.
• Produce fully integrated schedules across Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Operations, Projects, and Contractors.
• Ensure schedules comply with corporate scheduling standards and shutdown governance requirements.
• Perform schedule quality assurance reviews before schedule approval.

Schedule Optimisation

• Proactively optimize shutdown schedules to minimize overall shutdown duration while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Perform resource balancing and resource levelling to maximize workforce productivity.
• Identify schedule constraints, bottlenecks, and opportunities for parallel execution.
• Develop recovery scenarios and alternative execution strategies when required.
• Continuously improve shutdown performance through schedule analysis and lessons learned.

Coaching, Mentoring & Capability Development

• Act as the technical authority for shutdown scheduling within the organization.
• Coach, mentor, and develop the Shutdown Planning team through structured knowledge transfer and on-the-job training.
• Design and deliver training programs covering Microsoft Project, scheduling methodology, resource optimization, critical path management, and shutdown scheduling best practices.
• Assess competency levels and prepare development plans for schedulers.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and schedule discipline.
• Support succession planning by developing team members to independently manage complex shutdown schedules.

Shutdown Execution Support

• Maintain accurate progress updates throughout shutdown execution.
• Monitor critical path activities and advise leadership on recovery actions.
• Produce daily progress reports, dashboards, S-curves, look-ahead schedules, and executive reports.
• Maintain schedule baselines and control approved changes.

Scheduling Standards & Governance

• Develop and maintain shutdown scheduling standards, templates, coding structures, calendars, and reporting formats.
• Drive consistency across all shutdown schedules within the business.
• Ensure schedule quality aligns with recognized planning and scheduling best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the shutdown planning process.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in maintenance planning and shutdown scheduling.
• Demonstrated experience scheduling complex plant shutdowns in mining or heavy industry.
• Advanced Microsoft Project expertise.
• Strong understanding of Critical Path Method.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent analytical and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related discipline highly regarded
• Experience with CMMS systems (Pronto, SAP, Oracle, Maximo or equivalent).
• Power BI and Power Query knowledge.
• Maintenance Planning & Scheduling certification (SMRP or equivalent).

Key Competencies

• Advanced Shutdown Scheduling
• Microsoft Project Expert
• Critical Path Analysis
• Resource Levelling & Optimization
• Schedule Risk Assessment
• Leadership through Influence
• Coaching & Mentoring
• Stakeholder Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Problem Solving
• Communication Skills

Behavioural Traits

• Strong leadership and the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Coaching and mentoring mindset with a passion for developing local talent.
• Proactive and results-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Excellent planning, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet demanding shutdown deadlines.
• High attention to detail while maintaining focus on the overall shutdown strategy.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills at all organizational levels.
• Collaborative team player who promotes cross-functional cooperation.
• Adaptable and resilient in dynamic operational environments.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a drive to challenge existing processes and implement best practices.
• High level of accountability, integrity, and professionalism.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on data, risk, and operational priorities.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.

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