Planning Engineer

About Evostel:

Evostel (previously AQESA), is part of the Ali Zaid Al Quraishi & Brothers Company (AZAQ Group), a closed joint stock company with a diversified investment portfolio. The Group takes pride in its Saudi roots and has been successfully operating in the GCC region for over 60 years. The Group has long-established associations and strategic relationships with several well-known international names.

1. Job Purpose / Summary

The Project Planner is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and maintaining project plans and schedules for projects executed within an industrial plant environment (e.g., capital projects, plant expansions, EPC packages, shutdowns/turnarounds, and major maintenance projects). The role covers the full planning lifecycle, including development of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), baseline scheduling, progress measurement and reporting, monitoring of project progress against plan, support to cost control and progress-based invoicing, and ensuring that planning activities comply with the organization's project management procedures and recognized international project management standards.

2. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

2.1 Project Planning, Scheduling and WBS Development

Develop, issue, and maintain the overall project schedule (from summary/Level 1 down to detailed Level 3-4/5 schedules) using industry-standard scheduling software such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project

• Develop and maintain the project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and WBS Dictionary in line with the approved project scope of work, ensuring alignment between engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, cost control, and contracts functions
• Define activity sequencing, durations, and logic relationships, and identify the critical path and float for all major project activities
• Develop resource-loaded and cost-loaded schedules in coordination with discipline leads, procurement, construction, and commissioning teams
• Establish the project baseline (time, scope, and resource baseline) and manage baseline changes through the approved change control process
• .ntegrate subcontractor, vendor, and third-party schedules into the master project schedule, ensuring consistency of logic and milestones
• Prepare short-term look-ahead schedules (e.g., 90-day, 30-day, and weekly look-aheads) to support execution planning and resource allocation

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2.2 Project Progress Monitoring, Measurement and Reporting

Monitor, update, and analyze project progress against the approved baseline schedule on a regular basis (daily, weekly, and monthly, as required).Develop and maintain progress measurement methodologies (e.g., weighted milestones, physical percent complete, and earned value) for engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.Prepare progress curves (S-curves), histograms, and trend charts illustrating planned versus actual and forecast progress.Perform schedule variance analysis, identify critical deviations and delay, investigate root causes, and recommend corrective or recovery actions.Prepare and issue periodic project progress reports (daily, weekly, and monthly) to project management, client representatives, and other stakeholders, in the required format and within agreed timelines.Support preparation of management dashboards, KPI summaries, and presentations for project review meetings and steering committees.Conduct schedule risk reviews and support development of mitigation and recovery plans for at-risk activities and milestone

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2.3 Compliance with Procedures and Standards

Ensure that all planning, scheduling, and reporting activities are carried out in accordance with the organization's project management procedures, the Project Execution Plan (PEP), and applicable contractual requirements. Apply planning and scheduling practices consistent with recognized international frameworks, including the PMI PMBOK Guide and relevant AACE International recommended practices for scheduling and cost/schedule integration. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable planning records and documentation to support internal reviews, client audits, and regulatory or certification audits. Support document control practices consistent with the organization's quality management system (e.g., principles aligned with ISO 9001) for planning deliverables and reports. Participate in project reviews, audits, and lessons-learned sessions, and implement corrective actions related to planning and scheduling process

es.

2.4 Cost Control and Invoicing Support

Coordinate with the cost control and finance teams to align the WBS with the project's Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and budget/cost codes. Support the implementation of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles to integrate scope, schedule, and cost performance reporting. Verify physical progress and completed milestones against the schedule and WBS to support the preparation of progress-based invoices and payment certificates. Prepare and compile supporting documentation (e.g., progress reports, marked-up schedules, and milestone completion certificates) required for invoice submission, client review, and approval. Track committed, actual, and forecast costs against the schedule baseline, and report on cost-schedule integration and variances to project management.

2.5 Coordination and Stakeholder Manag ement

Liaise with engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, quality, and HSE teams to obtain progress data and update the project schedule and reports. Coordinate with subcontractors and vendors to collect schedule updates, progress data, and resource/manpower information.Attend and contribute to project progress and coordination meetings, providing planning and scheduling input and preparing related meeting records as required.Act as the planning and scheduling focal point for queries from internal teams, client representatives, and auditors.

2.6 Health, Safety, Security and Environment

• (HSE)Comply with the plant's HSE policies, procedures, and site-specific rules when working at or visiting the industrial plant site, including completion of required inductions and use of personal protective equipment
• (PPE).Incorporate HSE-related constraints, permits, and milestones (e.g., shutdown windows, permit-to-work durations, and HSE inspection holds) into the project schedule. Promote a positive HSE culture and report any unsafe conditions, near-misses, or non-compliance observed during site activities, in line with the organization's HSE reporting procedures.

5. Qualifications and Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Automation, Electrical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering) or a related technical discipline. The organization may also consider an equivalent diploma combined with relevant professional experience. Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), or active progress toward such certification, is considered an advantage.Formal training or certification in project scheduling software, such as Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project, is man

datory.3. Key Performance Indicators

(KPIs)Performance in this role may be assessed against the following indicators. Specific targets, weightings, and review frequency should be defined by the relevant department in line with the organization's performance management

6. Experience Requirements

A minimum of three years of relevant experience in project planning, scheduling, or project controls roles, to be defined by the hiring organization based on the seniority level of the position (e.g., entry/mid-level versus senior planner).Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining a WBS, project schedules, and progress reports for projects of comparable scale and complexity, preferably within an industrial plant or process industry environment (e.g., oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, or manufacturing).Experience working within an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contractor or an owner's project control/project management organization is preferred. Experience supporting progress-based invoicing processes and interfacing with cost control, contracts, or finance teams is pr

7. Technical Skills and Com petencies

Strong working knowledge of project planning and scheduling principles, including the Critical Path Method (CPM), resource leveling, and progress measurement techniques. Proficiency in developing and maintaining a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) consistent with PMI PMBOK guidance .Proficiency in project scheduling software such as Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project .Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and their application to schedule and cost reporting. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, for data analysis, tracking, and reporting. Familiarity with project reporting and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI or similar) is an advantage. General understanding of project cost control concepts and how planning/scheduling data integrates with cost reporting. Familiarity with common contract types (e.g., lump sum, unit rate, reimbursable) and how progress measurement supports milestone-based

8. Software

• and Tools Primavera P6 (Enterprise Project Portfolio Management) Microsoft Project Microsoft Excel (advanced level)Microsoft PowerPoint and Word for reporting and presentations Project reporting/dashboard tools (e.g., Power BI), where used by the organization Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) or document control platforms.