Production Scheduler

Position Summary and Purpose: The Production Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating the daily and weekly production schedule for our flavor manufacturing operations. This role ensures that customer orders are produced on time and in full while optimizing production efficiency, minimizing changeovers, and maintaining flexibility in our fast-paced, short lead-time environment.

The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic, made-to-order manufacturing setting where every batch is unique and customer satisfaction depends on precision, agility, and cross-department collaboration.

Essential Functions: 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Scheduling & Planning

• Develop and maintain short- and medium-term production schedules based on customer orders, inventory levels, and capacity constraints.
• Coordinate with Customer Service, Procurement, Production, Quality and Shipping/Receiving  teams to align priorities and delivery commitments.
• Adjust schedules daily to respond to rush orders, raw material delays, and unplanned downtime.
• Balance workloads across blending, compounding, and packaging functions to maximize throughput.
• Print and distribute batch cards to appropriate teams

Materials Coordination

• Verify material availability prior to releasing work orders.
• Communicate with Purchasing to expedite critical ingredients or packaging components.
• Work closely with Inventory Control to prevent material shortages or overstocking.
• Work with Quality and R&D teams on first production runs and priority material testing and release

Communication & Coordination

• Act as the central point of contact between Sales, Production, and Purchasing/Logistics for order status updates.
• Conduct daily production meetings to review schedule adherence, issues, and priorities.
• Communicate schedule changes promptly and clearly to all relevant departments.

Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and analyze production metrics such as schedule adherence, lead time, and scheduling efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy, reduce downtime, and enhance responsiveness.
• Support ERP system utilization and data accuracy related to production orders and material transactions.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-changing environment.
• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office and other scheduling tools.

Physical Demands:

The physical responsibilities described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, as well as talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Must be able to regularly use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, and climb stairs. The position requires the ability to occasionally lift, push, or pull office and lab products and supplies up to 25 pounds. 

Working conditions:

The position works in an office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and printers.  The noise level in the work environment is typically quiet.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Standard days and hours of work are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

Education and Experience:

• 2 years of production scheduling or planning experience in a manufacturing environment (food, beverage, chemical, or flavor industry preferred).
• Experience with custom batch manufacturing, made-to-order production and short lead times.
• Familiarity with food manufacturing or flavor formulation environments.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement background.