Production Scheduler

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for tactical production scheduling to meet customer requirements while minimizing manufacturing and distribution costs, as well as the corporate inventory investment. The position requires the incumbent to communicate clearly and openly with both operations personnel regarding production schedules and the planning group regarding capacity and material issues. The incumbent must actively participate in problem solving and process improvements with operations, team members, purchasing, and customer service.

Essential Functions:

• Schedule utilizing MRP demand to execute planned work orders. Utilize released and created work orders to ensure compliance with the planned demand to support sales and inventory levels, while effectively utilizing available capacity.
• Analyze and create operating schedules that support maximizing machine and labor efficiency and efficiently utilize material and storage space resources while meeting customer requirements.
• Expedite operations and modify scheduling demands to meet changes such as back orders or unforecasted customer demand.
• Communicate daily with internal and external customers as to status of all open orders/jobs.
• Provide management visibility over work-in-progress, material availability, and potential production issues, ensuring that personnel, equipment, tools, materials, and services are available as needed.
• Maintain and monitor inventory levels to maximize customer deliveries and minimize the overall inventory investment.
• Monitor safety stocks to ensure that inventory levels are maintained at or above safety stock to minimize back orders.
• Coordinate the movement of raw materials between facilities to facilitate the on-time execution of the production schedule. For materials in short supply, ensure that their use is prioritized based on customer demand.
• Provide solutions, creative and logistical, to problems concerning production, shipments, shortages, changes, and cancellation of orders.
• Ensure key performance indicators are monitored for performance. These include inventory turns of finished goods by product and by classification, on-time completion of work orders, sales backorder volumes, and fill rates to customer requested delivery dates.

Other Responsibilities:

• Contribute to an environment in which all team members are respected regardless of their individual differences and are motivated to improve both their individual and team contributions to achieve desired business results.
• Call out supplies, such as tape, glue, staples, pallets, cartons, etc., in support of the production processes, from blanket purchase orders established by Purchasing.
• Complete special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Materials Requirement Planning/Enterprise Resource Planning experience preferred.
• SAP experience is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with other functional areas to build trusted relationships.
• Effective trouble shooting, problem solving, and organizational skills. Ability to handle frequent interruptions, meet tight deadlines, and effectively handle conflict.
• Sound knowledge of supply chain processes and procedures, including logistics, manufacturing planning, demand, and replenishment processes, is a plus.
• Ability to manage complexity and resolve conflicts that arise from balancing multiple priorities.
• Demonstration of thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills in MS Office, including Excel and MRP/ERP Systems.

Education and Experience

• Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Logistics/Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred
• Experience in manufacturing production planning/logistics preferred
• APICS certification (CPIM or CSCP) is a plus

Working Conditions:

• The employee may experience variable working conditions in the work environment. Examples include, but are not limited to, temperature variations, dust, noise, and exposure to moving mechanical parts.

Note:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee and are not be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, abilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.