Production Scheduler

Summary

The Production Scheduler develops, maintains, and optimizes the master production schedule in a heavy metal fabrication manufacturing environment. This role balances customer demand, production capacity, material availability, and resource constraints to ensure on-time delivery, efficient operations, and minimal downtime. The Production Scheduler serves as the central coordinator, communicating schedule status, managing expectations, resolving conflicts, and driving cross-functional collaboration to meet customer commitments while optimizing shop floor efficiency.

Essential Job Duties

• Develop and maintain a practical master production schedule (MPS) based on customer orders, sales forecasts, project timelines, shop capacity, and material availability.
• Create detailed daily, weekly, and monthly schedules for the production processes.
• Analyze capacity requirements (machines, labor, cranes, fixtures, and floor space) and identify bottlenecks or constraints in the heavy fabrication environment.
• Adjust schedules in response to rush orders, design changes, material delays, or production issues while minimizing impact on overall performance.
• Act as the primary point of contact between Sales, Customer Service, and Manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Sales and Customer Service to provide accurate lead time estimates, promise dates, and status updates. Manage customer expectations on delivery timelines.
• Work closely with Production teams in Manufacturing to communicate priorities, resolve scheduling conflicts, and support daily execution.
• Partner with materials purchasing contacts to align raw material (plate, structural steel, etc.) procurement with the production schedule.
• Participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to align demand and supply plans.
• Monitor schedule adherence, on-time delivery (OTD), and key metrics (utilization, backlog, lead times).
• Provide regular reports and visibility to leadership on production status, risks, and recovery plans.
• Drive continuous improvement in scheduling processes, capacity planning, and use of ERP/MRP systems.
• Manage work orders, routings, and priorities in the ERP system for heavy fabrication jobs.
• Ensuring schedules support quality, safety, and regulatory requirements in a heavy industrial environment.
• Support inventory management goals by minimizing excess WIP and finishing goods where possible.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications - Required qualifications to effectively perform the job. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. (Additional requirements may be designated by position.)

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: 5 years of production planning, scheduling or similar role in heavy metal fabrication, steel manufacturing, or custom equipment environment. Experience with complex, long-lead-time projects is essential.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in CPIM, CSCP, or similar supply chain credentials preferred.
• Experience with project-based or make-to-order manufacturing.
• Familiarity with heavy fabrication-specific challenges (e.g., large part handling, welding certifications, heat treatment, NDT requirements).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Epicor, Infor, SAP, or similar) and
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities under pressure.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills - ability to influence and coordinate across departments.
• Deep understanding of capacity planning, rough-cut capacity planning (RCCP), and finite scheduling.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• Strong understanding of fabrication processes (CNC cutting, plate rolling, heavy welding, assembly, etc.) and associated lead times and constraints.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.

Work Environment - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions. Exposed to moderate noise levels. Schedule is typical 40- hour work week during business hours. Little overnight travel required.
• Outside of office area is general Manufacturing environment including regular exposure to loud and distracting noises, outdoor climate and weather fluctuations including, temperature, humidity, rain, etc., dust, uneven ground, exposure to hazardous equipment, and contaminants.

Physical Abilities - Activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Required to use close vision and be able to focus.
• Regularly required to talk and hear audible signals and warnings from computers, machines, mobile equipment, and plant warning systems.
• Must be able to have repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination to type on computers, telephones, office equipment regularly.
• Ability to sit, stand or walk frequently and for prolonged periods of time (up to 10 hours per shift). Ability to bend, kneel, reach overhead, climb stairs occasionally.
• Ability to wear all personal protective equipment as required in all areas outside the office area, including safety boots with metatarsal guards and safety glasses. Hearing protection, gloves based on tasks, and other PPE may be required as posted.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Fairbanks Scales Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets

DISCLOSURE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Fairbanks Scales Inc. may obtain information about you from a third-party consumer reporting agency for employment purposes. Thus, you may be the subject of a "consumer report" and/or "investigative consumer report" which may include information about your character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and/or mode of living, and which can involve personal interviews with sources such as neighbors, friends, or associates, The reports may contain information regarding your credit history, criminal history, social security verification, motor vehicle records ("driving records"), verification of your education or employment history, or other background checks. Credit history will only be requested where such information is substantially related to the duties and responsibilities of the position for which you are applying.

NOTIFICATION OF PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING

Fairbanks Scales Inc. performs post-offer, pre-employment drug testing for all roles prior to being hired into any role as part of our Drug Free Workplace Policy. In addition, Fairbanks Scales Inc. performs post-offer, pre-employment drug testing under the authority of the U.S. Department of Transportation prior to being hired for any role or transferred into a safety-sensitive role.