Company Overview:
Vanderlande is a global leader in material handling solutions, specializing in the design, manufacture, and implementation of advanced conveyor belt systems. Our clients include major companies such as Amazon, and we are dedicated to delivering high-quality, efficient solutions for their logistics and distribution needs.
Position Overview:
We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Specialist Project Planner to lead the planning and execution of major projects ranging from $150M to $300M. The Planner Specialist is a senior-level planning professional responsible for developing, maintaining, and analyzing complex project schedules while also serving as a subject matter expert for planning standards, tools, and processes. In addition to performing all Senior Planner duties, this role provides guidance, training, and onboarding support to planners across the department and plays a key role in developing and improving planning processes and governance. This role demands strong leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional teams.
Job Tasks & Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary subject matter expert (SME) for planning and scheduling within the department.
- Develop, maintain, and oversee comprehensive project schedules using Primavera P6.
- Identify critical path activities and manage schedule risks to ensure timely project delivery.
- Manage change orders and maintain baseline schedules to reflect accurate project scope and progress.
- Coordinate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, procurement, supply chain, and installation, to align project activities and milestones.
- Conduct regular schedule reviews and updates, providing accurate status reports to stakeholders.
- Analyze project performance data to identify trends, variances, and areas for improvement.
- Lead project planning meetings and facilitate effective communication among team members.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior planners, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.
- Ensure compliance with company standards and best practices in project planning and execution.
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve planning standards, templates, and scheduling guidelines.
- Perform schedule quality audits to ensure logic integrity, resource loading, and compliance with internal and client requirements.
- Support development and implementation of new planning tools, systems, and methodologies.
- Partner with leadership to define planning governance, KPIs, and performance metrics.
- Provide advanced schedule analysis, scenario modeling, and recovery planning for at-risk projects.
- Promote consistency and best practices across multiple projects and regions.
Qualifications:
- BS Degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in project planning, preferably in material handling or related industries.
- Proficient in Primavera P6 and project scheduling methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with budgets up to $300M.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop junior team members.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across diverse teams.
- High attention to detail and a strong sense of accountability.
- Willingness to travel up to 20% for project site visits and meetings.
Preferred Qualifications:
- PMP or similar project management certification.
- Advanced knowledge of material handling systems and supply chain processes.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working for an international organization.
Top Skills
What We Do
Vanderlande is the global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation at airports. The company is also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses and in the parcel market.
Vanderlande’s baggage handling systems are capable of moving over 4 billion pieces of baggage around the world per year. Its systems are active in more than 600 airports including 12 of the world’s top 20. More than 52 million parcels are sorted by its systems every day, which have been installed for the world’s leading parcel companies. In addition, many of the largest global e-commerce players and retailers have confidence in Vanderlande’s efficient and reliable solutions.
The company focuses on the optimisation of its customers’ business processes and competitive positions. Through close cooperation, it strives for the improvement of their operational activities and the expansion of their logistical achievements. Vanderlande’s extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology.
Established in 1949, Vanderlande has more than 7,500 employees, all committed to moving its customers’ businesses forward at diverse locations on every continent. With a consistently increasing turnover of 1.8 billion euros, it has established a global reputation over the past seven decades as a highly reliable partner for future-proof logistic process automation.
Vanderlande was acquired in 2017 by Toyota Industries Corporation, which will help it to continue its sustainable profitable growth. The two companies have a strong strategic match, and the synergies include cross-selling, product innovations, and research and development.
