Position Description

The Master Scheduler is responsible for planning production, maintaining inventories, and shipping finished goods. The Master Scheduler generates production schedules based upon customer and production forecasts, material availability and constraints in personnel and equipment. In addition, the Master Scheduler initiates requisitions for additional equipment and materials and advises each supervisor of the production required. Lastly, this role will continually review the progress of production and warehousing through personal observation and analysis of reports on departmental production, quality, and shipments.

Key Responsibilities

• Creates and maintains a comprehensive Master Schedule using input from sales forecasts, customer orders, plant capacities and MRP recommendations.
• Maintains production schedule in SAP while enhancing the use of the system to optimize results.
• Interacts regularly with Production, Quality, Sales, Customers and Engineering in matters pertaining to the Master Schedule and customer commitments.
• Maintains a materials shortage list and expedites materials with the Purchasing group.
• Recommends improvements and changes to current practices to continuously improve schedule accuracy, on-time delivery, inventory levels and use of SAP.
• Adjusts Master Schedule to minimize the impact of unforeseen manufacturing, personnel or materials issues.
• Works to reduce WIP inventory levels and improve inventory turns.
• Coordinates with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, and Product Development to
• effectively schedule test or prototype runs without interruptions to scheduled production.
• Advises management of projected conflicts or issues which would not allow Master Schedule to be met. Evaluates the projected resolution of these conflicts or issues and develops schedule changes to minimize impact to customer or corporate commitments.
• Works with the Purchasing Department to develop and implement an inventory strategy that maximizes compliance with customer or corporate goals while minimizing WIP or RM inventory.
• Assists management in setting production priorities.
• Works with management to generate rolling 3 month build schedule.
• Assists Materials Manager in prioritizing continuous improvement efforts.
• Creates and/or modifies SAP BOMs and Routings.
• Issues, converts and in some cases closes SAP work orders.
• Participates in daily production meetings to communicate schedules, priorities and potential issues.
• Responds to customer requests for service and assistance.

Required Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, or in lieu of degree, a combination of education and experience 
• 3+ years of production planning and scheduling experience 
• Prior experience working in a manufacturing environment 
• Well-versed in Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Access Database experience required
• A strong background in SAP or a comparable MRP/ERP system is required.
• APICS CPIM certification a plus