Michael Gutscher
Fort McMurray,AB
Summary
Senior Maintenance Planner with over 20 years of experience in oil sands operations, specializing in executing large-scale turnarounds and reducing maintenance costs. Expertise in using advanced systems like SAP GUI, SAP S/4HANA and Maximo 7.6 to enhance asset reliability and efficiency. Proven leader in managing cross-functional teams and driving operational improvements in high pressure environments. Recognized for safety leadership and innovative problem-
solving.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Turnaround Planner
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL)
Fort McMurray, Canada
03.2026 - Current
- Plan and coordinate all-discipline turnaround scopes including mechanical, rotating equipment, piping, instrumentation, electrical, and civil.
- Build detailed job plans and work packages using IBM Maximo 7.6, excel, blue beam, smart plant, McLaren Providing step-by-step task breakdowns with precise time and resource estimates.
- Develop Bill of Materials (BOMs), identify and order required parts and materials, and manage Craft Resource Estimates (CREs) to support execution readiness.
- Utilize full Microsoft 365 suite (Excel, OneNote, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Adobe for documentation, reporting, schedule management, and stakeholder communication.
- Scope out and step-out jobs to fine detail to ensure field crews have complete, accurate, and executable work packages ahead of turnaround mobilization.
- Collaborate with operations, engineering, procurement, and field supervision to align planning with execution priorities and project timelines.
Senior Maintenance Planner & Scheduler / Estimator
Syncrude Canada Ltd
Fort McMurray, Canada
07.2019 - 05.2025
- Led planning and execution of complex multi-discipline shutdowns, ensuring safe, efficient, and on-time delivery in high-risk extraction environments.
- Developed detailed job plans and work packages, improving execution efficiency and reducing delays across mechanical and rotating equipment scopes.
- Optimized maintenance schedules using SAP S/4HANA and Primavera P6, increasing workforce utilization and reducing downtime.
- Coordinated real-time schedule adjustments and resource allocation to maintain execution timelines under changing field conditions.
- Acted as lead integrator between planning and field execution teams, ensuring seamless coordination across all disciplines.
- Standardized planning processes and documentation, improving reliability, consistency, and execution quality across projects.
- Contributed to measurable improvements in outage performance, achieving consistent on-time and under-budget delivery.
Interprovincial Red Seal Millwright
Syncrude Canada Ltd
Fort McMurray, Canada
03.2013 - 07.2019
- Executed precision maintenance and overhaul of critical rotating equipment, ensuring maximum uptime across extraction and mining operations.
- Performed 200+ laser alignments, significantly reducing vibration, rework, and equipment failures.
- Applied predictive maintenance techniques to extend asset life and reduce unplanned downtime.
- Led complex rigging, lifting, and crane operations in high-risk environments with a focus on safety and precision.
- Diagnosed and resolved mechanical failures in pumps, centrifuges, and heavy process equipment.
- Mentored apprentices and junior trades, contributing to workforce development and safety culture.
Apprentice Millwright | Machinist
Jacobs | HTP-Machining
Fort McMurray, Canada
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Operated manual lathes, mills, and portable machining equipment to fabricate precision components.
- Supported field repairs, modifications, and custom machining for critical plant equipment.
- Assisted in installation and alignment of mechanical systems, contributing to improved equipment performance.
- Gained strong foundation in precision measurement, machining, and mechanical systems.
Education
Interprovincial Red Seal Millwright - Graduated With Honors
Keyano College
04-2013
4th Year Manual Machinist - English
NAIT
10-2010
Skills
- Maintenance Planning & Scheduling
- Turnaround Execution
- Workforce Planning
- Cost Control & Budgeting
- Shutdown Leadership
- Mechanical & Rotating Equipment
- SAP PM S4 HANA
- Safety Leadership
- Mentorship
- High-Pressure OperationS
- Digital work packages
- Backlog management
- Job plan optimization
Accomplishments
Maintenance Cost Optimization:
• Delivered approximately $2.8M in annual maintenance savings by optimizing work scopes, improving job plans, and implementing predictive maintenance strategies that reduced unnecessary repairs and labor hours.
Equipment Reliability & Uptime Improvement:
• Increased critical asset availability from 87% to 94% while reducing unplanned downtime by 35% through enhanced maintenance planning, precision alignment, and vibration-based predictive maintenance programs.
Shutdown & Turnaround Leadership
• Planned and executed 15+ major shutdowns and turnarounds exceeding 15,000 man-hours, coordinating multidisciplinary teams of 150+ personnel while achieving 100% on-schedule completion and 8–15% under
budget performance.
Predictive Maintenance & Asset Life Extension:
• Implemented precision alignment and vibration monitoring practices that extended equipment life by up to 40%, reduced catastrophic failures by 60%, and eliminated 200+ hours of mechanical rework.
Safety Leadership & Workforce Development
• Maintained a zero-incident safety record over a 20-year career while mentoring 40+ apprentices and tradespeople, earning the Oil Sands Mentorship Award (2016) for leadership in training and cross-trade development.
Key Equipment And Systems
Slurry Pumps, Crushers, Gearboxes, Conveyors, Cyclones, Centrifuges (Alfa Laval, KHD), Rotating Equipment, Overhead Cranes, Laser Alignment (Pruftechnik), Vibration Analysis, Precision Measurement, Predictive Maintenance, Failure Analysis, SAP PM/MM, SAP S/4HANA, IBM Maximo 7.6, Primavera P6, Prometheus, ALIM, Ariba, Fieldglass, Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat
Certificates & Training
- Interprovincial Red Seal Millwright, manual machinists, Sr maintenance Planner, Scheduler, Coordinator, CSTS 2020, ESC CSO, ESC Fall Protection, Overhead Crane Operator, Rigging & Hoisting, ESC Confined Space Entry & Monitor, ESC H2S Alive, ESC Silica Awareness, ESC OH&S Alberta Legislation, ESC Field Ergonomics, ESC Wood Buffalo, Wildlife Awareness – Intermediate, Mast-Fit, WHMIS, Basic First Aid, Valid Alberta Class 5/6 Driver's License
Timeline
Turnaround Planner
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL)
03.2026 - Current
Senior Maintenance Planner & Scheduler / Estimator
Syncrude Canada Ltd
07.2019 - 05.2025
Interprovincial Red Seal Millwright
Syncrude Canada Ltd
03.2013 - 07.2019
Apprentice Millwright | Machinist
Jacobs | HTP-Machining
01.2007 - 01.2013
Interprovincial Red Seal Millwright - Graduated With Honors
Keyano College
4th Year Manual Machinist - English
NAIT