Planner/Scheduler I

Company: Consumers Energy
Location: Saginaw
Posted on: June 6, 2021

Job Description:

Join the diverse and dynamic team that powers Michigan's largest energy provider and one of the nation's largest gas and electric combination utilities. Consumers Energy services 6.7 million of Michigan's 10 million residents - caring for our friends and neighbors in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We embrace a cleaner and leaner utility vision focused on eliminating energy waste and adding renewable energy from sources such as wind and solar.

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

Department Summary

The Scheduling Team Leader:

• Is a critical role and will be responsible to supervise non-exempt employees scheduling electric long cycle construction and maintenance work, long cycle customer commitments, long cycle work center forecasting, Distribution & Customer Operations (DCO) long cycle daily/weekly schedules.
• Must have the ability to perform effectively and efficiently on organizational and enterprise-wide projects and initiatives with minimal guidance.
• Must have proven leadership ability and interpersonal skills, along with a strong desire to be part of a team.
• Must have strong communication, analytical, diagnostic, facilitation and computer skills.
• Must also be flexible, have demonstrated strong administrative skills and able to set priorities in a changing environment.

Job Description/Responsibilities

The Scheduling Team Leader:

• Is responsible for the development and optimization of work plans/schedules using complex work management systems through processes (forecasting, planning, scheduling, acquisition of revenue, installations and maintenance of electric lines and services), and the achievement of DCO performance and financial targets.
• Collaborates with Principal Team Leaders, Managers and Executive Managers, along with various departments including Energy Operations, Customer Energy Management, Electric Asset Management, and Work Process & Business Management.
• Is accountable for leadership and management of non-exempt employees who in turn, schedule workloads for union employees.
• Provides guidance and development for all employees in his/her span of control to build engagement and meet key company goals.

Notable responsibilities include:

• Ensure Compliance with all Electric Code and MPSC requirements.
• Schedule long cycle construction and maintenance for Electric Distribution.
• Resource major maintenance programs.
• Oversee the management of long cycle work centers to make the customer commitment Breakthrough Goals.
• Support DCO budget process - Capital programs (Electric) and Maintenance programs (Electric).
• Coordinate statewide on call for movement of field/office resources for normal day and storm support.
• Create DCO schedules that align both internal and external field resources.
• Track and report out daily/weekly schedule adherence.
• Create line of sight around company strategy while managing DCO daily/weekly schedules, customer emergencies and resource plans.
• Interface with senior management for key performance objectives related to Business Operating Plan.
• Succession Planning and Employee Development.

Required Qualifications

• 5 or more years of applicable experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in the applicable field of study. Less than a Bachelor's degree may be acceptable if accompanied by extensive experience in positions that demonstrate required abilities and performance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in planning, project management, scheduling, business analysis, work management or storm support.
• Experience managing a team and/or managing a large project.
• Experience working in a utility (e.g., natural gas, electricity).

Essential Functions

• Support the planning/scheduling functions for the distribution maintenance and construction areas of the Company.
• Duties and who this individual reports to will fluctuate between projects, departments, and offices.
• Plans and prepares schedules for arrival of materials and equipment, installation, and repair of gas and electric distribution systems: Draws up master schedule to establish sequence and lead time of each phase to meet client forecasted master schedule.
• Updates management of schedule status.
• Analyzes designs and construction data and performs mathematical calculations to determine material, tools, and human resource requirements for the schedule.
• Plans and schedules workflow for each required skill set and operation according to previously established sequences and lead times.
• Plans sequence of material, assembly, installation, and other operations for guidance of construction workers.
• Confers with Company management to determine status of projects.
• Expedites operations that delay schedules and alters schedules to meet unforeseen conditions.
• Prepares project reports.
• May prepare lists of required materials, tools, and equipment.
• May prepare purchase orders to obtain materials, tools, and equipment.
• Understands and follows company established standard procedures for file structure and standard procedures for projects.
• Assists in client contact and communication.
• Ensures work is scheduled and completed within applicable compliance dates and required documentation is completed.
• May schedule employee training to ensure qualifications are current.
• Utilizes effective communication and problem-solving skills to answer inquiries from coworkers, clients, or the public.
• Attends internal and external meetings.
• Provides support services in a legal and ethical manner.
• Regular attendance is expected.
• Facilitate meetings and give presentations.
• Excellent communication skills on the phone, radio, email, mobile devices, face-to-face, etc. - Be able to communicate with customers, contractors, and company employees.
• Using a computer for up to 8 hours or more per day - Be able to use multiple applications at once and be able to type at least 30 words or more per minute.
• Follow written and oral work Instructions -Be able to follow Job Aids and Work Instructions.
• Writing / Taking notes - Be able to write and take notes or fill out paper forms.
• Be able to use standard office equipment - Copy machine, fax, printer.
• Leads and assists teams of employees (direct and/or indirect reports).
• Position supports department-specific work scheduling and dispatching.
• Responsible for overseeing timely response to emergent/emergency situations.
• Responsible for establishing schedules that meet commitments that have been made to customer.
• Position may include day-to-day supervision of employees, often located in multiple headquarters.

Field Planner/Schedulers in Gas C&S also have Field Leader responsibilities:

• Responds to complaints and requests for information; prepares and maintains reports of completed job orders and the status of jobs in progress.
• Inspects job sites to check on work progress, assures satisfactory completion and plans new assignments; prepares requisitions for operations and maintenance supplies, equipment, and materials and supervises special projects as required, participates as a member of safety committee; investigates and completes necessary incident reports and accident reports; maintains records, prepares, and submits required reports for appropriate agencies.
• For vacation coverage and on-call assignments, may lead and direct field workers.

Hours and Travel

• Work 40 hours per week with 85% of time spent in the office or specific field locations.
• Work may involve multiple shifts and/or unusual hours to support work through various events.
• Requires employee to participate in an on-call weekend and after-hours support rotation.
• Requires Field Planner/Scheduler storm support, which will involve 12-16 hour shifts and the need to travel to other locations during those events.
• May require after-hours response for both emergent and non-emergent event.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.
• The employee must frequently lift and move up to ten pounds and occasionally lift and move up to twenty-five pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The noise level on the field site is often loud.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Nearest Major Market: Saginaw

Job Segment: Scheduler, Business Manager, Compliance, Business Analyst, Administrative, Customer Service, Management, Legal, Technology

Keywords: Consumers Energy, Saginaw , Planner/Scheduler I, Other , Saginaw, Michigan