PRODUCTION CONTROL SCHEDULER
Position Summary
The production control scheduler is responsible for managing the production schedule by collaborating with department leaders, ensuring priorities are met, and supporting problem-solving and recovery planning. They also report delivery updates and performance, work on process improvements utilizing ERP software, and coordinate communication effectively across the plant. To meet these objectives, the scheduler maintains close working relationships with Operations (to ensure efficient workflow), Program Management (to align scheduling with project milestones), Engineering (to incorporate technical requirements), Purchasing (to manage material availability), and Sales (to align production with customer demand). The role requires effective collaboration across all departments whose activities impact plant scheduling. The production control scheduler must be well-versed in manufacturing operations involving multiple departments and processes.
Responsibilities
- Provide tactical and strategic long-range scheduling support to production teams.
- Coordinate and review input from engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and business development to support and maintain Master Schedules for products using applicable software (Infor/ERP) as required.
- Work with all departments to understand critical work requests ahead of and behind targets to mitigate schedule impact risks.
- Ensure Material Requirements Planning dates align with current product schedules across all departments.
- Utilize Infor/ERP and other applicable tools to ensure work is scheduled and prioritized accurately and efficiently, with appropriate resource allocation.
- Prepare daily work schedules, track work progress, update and communicate project critical path schedules, and advise leadership of needed adjustments to daily activities, such as reallocating resources to high-priority tasks or addressing equipment downtime issues.
- Ensure fixture, tooling, and test equipment requirements are properly scheduled to facilitate efficient production processes.
- Support accuracy in the internal logistics movement of critical work.
- Push or pull work into the shop to improve lead times, reduce stagnation, and meet scheduling needs.
- Support additional responsibilities within Production Control, including clerical tasks and data maintenance.
- Manage execution of shipping and production commitments.
Process Improvement Support
- Utilize production, operations planning, and engineering support to eliminate internal and external blockers and ensure on-time product delivery.
- Manage production team metrics to maintain high performance.
- Stay informed regarding applicable facilities and manpower.
- Lead efforts to identify root causes and develop permanent resolutions for issues found during product builds, such as equipment malfunctions, material defects, or process inefficiencies.
- Identify and support opportunities for improvements in product yield, quality, safety, cost, and team efficiency.
- Develop and support efforts to streamline assigned products and automate production processes where applicable.
- Provide daily visibility, weekly status updates, and monthly reviews on schedule performance.
- Create and leverage metrics using queries and Excel to highlight shortages and determine schedule risks.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree OR a minimum of 4 years of manufacturing scheduling experience.
- Proficiency with SQL and data analytics.
- 2 years of experience with MS Office packages.
- Near expert proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
- 2+ years of practical experience with ERP/MRP systems in a production environment.
- Experience in Planning, Bill of Materials, Routings, and Demand Management.
- Knowledge and practical application of Lean and 5S methodologies.
- Familiarity with Lean principles, Six Sigma, and Kaizen concepts.