Project Planner

Project Planner

Start date: ASAP
Duration: Long term
Location: Hoboken, Belgium.
Rotation: Monday-Friday.
Type: Freelance contract.

Description

This client is a global materials technology company and a leading player in its field. We are a stable international group with a strong Belgian identity, operating from four sites across the country. Our core business is the development of technologies and the production of materials for high-performance solar cells used in satellites, rechargeable batteries, LED applications, and catalysts. Through our recycling activities, we recover valuable metals from devices such as laptops and mobile phones.

Department Overview & Responsibilities

The Precious Metals Refining (PMR) department develops solutions based on base and precious metals. At our Hoboken site, we are making significant investments to adapt to evolving processes and regulatory requirements. Our Technology department, driven by a team of enthusiastic professionals, plays a key role in these developments. We support various production departments with technical expertise and manage the full lifecycle of projects—from feasibility studies and design to implementation and commissioning.

Project Description

The Shutdown Projects Team prepares, executes, and follows up on several planned shutdowns each year. The Project Planner plays a crucial role in this process by managing the detailed planning and preparation of these shutdowns. In this role, you will support the department in creating, monitoring, and managing project schedules, primarily related to planned shutdowns and maintenance projects. Together with a colleague, you will be responsible for preparing, drafting, and following up on the shutdown schedules.

Key Responsibilities

- Work in accordance with the shutdown process and ensure compliance by all stakeholders.
- Organize and lead meetings to gather input from colleagues in production, maintenance, and technology, and process this input using the appropriate tools.
- Create detailed task lists and obtain cost estimates for each task.
- Prepare the overall shutdown budget and create task-level orders for cost tracking.
- Develop a detailed schedule of all tasks in collaboration with stakeholders.
- Monitor the schedule during (daily) coordination meetings, track the budget, and collect relevant information for post-shutdown evaluations.
- Provide backup support for your fellow planner as needed.
- Manage supporting processes such as: - Tracking and processing of study and budget requests.
- Managing the department’s project portfolio: keeping it up to date, monitoring progress, and reporting.

Technical Profile Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a technical field.
- Technical background and experience (mechanical, electrical, piping).
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a Project Planner role.
- Experience in an industrial environment.
- Proficiency in MS Project. - Basic knowledge of SAP and SharePoint.
- Strong analytical and technical insight.

Non-Technical Profile Requirements

- Strong administrative skills.
- Communicative, patient, and assertive.
- Proactive, structured, and able to work independently.
- Eager to learn and focused on continuous improvement.
- Flexible, especially during shutdown periods.
- Strong collaboration skills across departments.

Language Requirements

- Fluent in Dutch (spoken and written).
- Other languages are a plus.

Location

- Client site - Hoboken.
- 100% on-site presence required during preparation and execution of shutdowns.
- Outside of these periods, partial remote work may be possible in consultation with the manager.

Contract Details

- Start date: As soon as possible, no later than early January 2026.
- Long-term collaboration envisioned.

Skills

Experience in a project planner role in a similar environment - 3 Years
Experience in an industrial environment - Yes
Technical Bachelor Degree - Yes
Technical Background (piping, mechanical, piping, ..) - 4 Years