Description
The Production Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating the production schedule to ensure customer orders are completed on time and manufacturing resources are used effectively. This role coordinates closely with Operations, Purchasing, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Service to balance customer demand, available labor, material availability, machine capacity, and production priorities.
The position serves as a key link between customer requirements and plant execution, proactively identifying shortages, capacity constraints, and schedule risks before they impact delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and maintain the daily, weekly, and monthly production schedule based on customer orders, backlog, inventory requirements, and available capacity.
Prioritize work orders to support on-time delivery, customer commitments, and expedited requirements.
Review open orders and backlog daily to identify potential delivery risks and develop recovery plans.
Coordinate with Purchasing to identify material shortages, supplier delays, and required delivery dates.
Work closely with Production and Plant Leadership to balance labor, equipment, tooling, and capacity requirements.
Coordinate with Engineering on engineered-to-order products, drawings, BOMs, routings, and technical requirements that may affect production timing.
Release and manage manufacturing work orders according to the approved production schedule.
Monitor work-in-process and production progress and adjust schedules when priorities, material availability, or capacity conditions change.
Maintain accurate order dates, lead times, routing information, and scheduling data within the ERP/MRP system.
Participate in daily production meetings and weekly planning reviews, providing updates on schedule status, shortages, constraints, and overdue orders.
Communicate schedule changes and delivery risks promptly to Sales, Customer Service, Operations, and other stakeholders.
Support inventory planning for raw materials, components, work-in-process, and finished goods.
Assist with identifying appropriate make-to-stock inventory levels for frequently ordered products.
Review capacity requirements and identify potential bottlenecks involving labor, machinery, outside processing, or suppliers.
Coordinate outside processing and subcontracted operations as necessary to support production schedules.
Track and report key planning and scheduling metrics, including:
o On-Time Delivery
o Schedule Attainment
o Past-Due Backlog
o Manufacturing Lead Time
o Work-in-Process
o Material Shortages
o Capacity Utilization
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing lead time, improving material flow, increasing schedule adherence, and improving overall plant productivity.
Assist with demand planning, and production forecasting activities.
Maintain clear documentation and scheduling practices consistent with the company's ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System.
Perform additional planning, scheduling, inventory, and operational support activities as required.
Collaboration & Communication
The Production Scheduler works closely with:
Plant / Operations Management
Production Supervisors & Leads
Purchasing
Engineering
Sales and Customer Service
Quality
Inventory / Warehouse personnel
Finance
Key Requirements
3+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, manufacturing, supply chain, or materials management preferred.
Minimum Associates Degree in Operations or equivalent certification.
Experience working in a manufacturing environment, preferably industrial equipment, machining, valves, engineered products, or similar make-to-order manufacturing.
Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, work orders, bills of material, routings, and inventory management.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills and ability to analyze production and inventory data.
Ability to understand manufacturing lead times, capacity constraints, and material requirements.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and changing customer requirements.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments.
Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, ISO 9001, SIOP, or continuous improvement practices is a plus.
