Master Planner/Scheduler

Roles and responsibilities

• Create and maintain master schedules: Develop and manage the master production plan to satisfy customer demand while optimizing inventory levels and resource utilization.
• Balance supply and demand: Use sales forecasts, historical data, and new opportunities to develop a production plan that aligns with factory capacity.
• Manage inventory: Set and maintain finished goods inventory at target levels to ensure high service levels while achieving corporate inventory turn targets.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams: Collaborate with various departments, including production, procurement, sales, engineering, and logistics, to ensure seamless operations and material availability.
• Lead meetings and process improvement: Facilitate Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to review performance, and lead or participate in continuous improvement projects to enhance process efficiency.
• Monitor and adjust schedules: Continuously monitor production progress against the plan. Identify gaps and delays, communicate issues to management, and develop solutions to get back on track.
• Analyze capacity: Perform regular capacity assessments, lead-time analyses, and bottleneck identification to align production rates with customer demand and optimize workflow.
• Utilize ERP systems: Maintain data integrity within the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including bills of materials (BOMs), lead times, and safety stock levels.
• Report key metrics: Prepare and distribute regular reports and dashboards on production performance, schedule adherence, inventory status, and forecast accuracy for stakeholders and management.
• Troubleshoot issues: Resolve conflicts and shortages related to capacity, materials, and other scheduling issues by gathering and analyzing information. 

Required skills and qualifications

• Experience: 3 years of proven experience in production planning, scheduling, or a related role within a manufacturing or project-based environment.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or Business Administration.
• Technical expertise:
  • Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and scheduling software.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
  • Knowledge of demand forecasting and inventory management techniques.
• Certifications (preferred): APICS (Association for Supply Chain Management) CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional).
• Analytical skills: Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, with meticulous attention to detail to interpret complex data and make informed decisions.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with diverse teams and present findings to management.
• Leadership and influence: The ability to influence and guide cross-functional teams to achieve production goals and drive process improvements.
• Adaptability: Capability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly to changing demands in a fast-paced environment.