Lead Scheduler

Job Title: Lead Turnaround Scheduler

Job Description

The Lead Turnaround Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing detailed schedules for plant turnarounds, outages, and related events in an industrial environment. This role combines deep technical scheduling expertise with strong leadership and collaboration skills to ensure that complex mechanical turnaround activities are planned and executed safely, efficiently, and on time. The Lead Turnaround Scheduler builds trust through clear communication, fosters a culture of teamwork, accountability, and respect, and actively drives solutions rather than simply identifying problems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize detailed, resource-loaded, logic-driven turnaround and outage schedules for mechanical work in industrial facilities.
• Formalize turnaround shutdown and startup logic and schedules using Primavera P6 software.
• Create conceptual turnaround schedules to support early planning and scenario analysis.
• Input and review field planning data to ensure accuracy and completeness of the schedule.
• Determine internal and external logic ties between activities and ensure proper sequencing in the schedule.
• Complete schedule data entry checklists for each job package to maintain quality and consistency.
• Update and forecast the turnaround schedule against plan, adjusting as needed to reflect current conditions.
• Solicit planning and scheduling assumptions from turnaround management and test these hypotheses within the schedule.
• Advise turnaround management on schedule-related opportunities and risks, and recommend strategies to capitalize on or mitigate them.
• Lead schedule review exercises with the core planning team to validate logic, resources, and timelines.
• Lead contractor schedule reviews and manage the contractor schedule integration process into the master schedule.
• Prepare user-friendly schedule formats for stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
• Produce clear, user-friendly shift schedules and three-day look-ahead schedules during turnaround execution.
• Manage schedule progress and change during turnaround execution, ensuring timely updates and communication.
• Generate turnaround progress reports and other schedule-related reports as needed for leadership and stakeholders.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to junior peers and counterparts in planning and scheduling best practices.
• Promote high standards of quality control on step-outs and other critical planning elements to support successful events.
• Collaborate closely with turnaround planners, mechanical teams, and field personnel to ensure alignment between the schedule and field execution.
• Support continuous improvement of turnaround planning and scheduling processes, tools, and practices.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience building and executing complex turnaround or outage schedules in oil and gas, LNG, or chemical facilities.
• Proven experience as a Turnaround Planner, with direct involvement in field planning and execution of mechanical work.
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with Primavera Project Management P6, including building schedules in a new P6 database.
• Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite for reporting, analysis, and communication.
• Demonstrated background in turnaround planning and mechanical work, with a strong focus on quality control of planning details and step-outs.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and activities.
• Advanced planning and scheduling skills, capable of tracking multiple activities with a high degree of accuracy.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical abilities, with the capacity to work effectively in a fluid, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain high levels of customer service, confidentiality, and integrity in all interactions.
• Capability to set high standards and promote continuous improvement in turnaround planning and scheduling.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to establish mutually respectful relationships with management, peers, contractors, and facility-level workers.
• Ability to lead schedule reviews, facilitate discussions, and drive decisions that support successful turnaround outcomes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• A degree or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus but not required.
• Prior use of IPS (Integrated Planning System) is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in best practices and cycles for turnaround data communication.
• background as a pipefitter or boilermaker is an asset and supports understanding of mechanical field work.
• Experience with initial turnaround scheduling setups in new P6 databases is a significant advantage.
• Ability to mentor and coach junior planners and schedulers, sharing best practices and lessons learned.
• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork, accountability, and respect across diverse teams.
• Track record of driving solutions and improvements rather than focusing solely on identifying problems.

Work Environment

This is a 1-year contract role with the possibility of extension, based onsite at an industrial facility in Superior, Wisconsin. The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week during the planning phase. During turnaround execution (currently anticipated for 2028), the schedule will shift to an intensive rotation of 7 days per week with 13-hour shifts (7–13s) to support around-the-clock activities. The position requires close collaboration with turnaround planners, mechanical teams, contractors, and operations personnel in a plant environment. Work is performed primarily onsite, using Primavera P6, Microsoft Office Suite, and other planning tools and systems. There is a preference for local candidates; however, non-local candidates are also considered and may receive a per diem of $178 per calendar day. The role operates in a culture that values safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement, with an emphasis on clear communication and respectful collaboration across all levels of the organization.

This is a Contract position based out of Superior, WI.

The pay range for this position is $74.00 - $91.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Superior,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on May 13, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.