Production Scheduler/Planner

Production Scheduling Job Profile (MPI Label Systems)

This profile outlines the typical duties, responsibilities, and necessary qualifications for a Production Scheduling position at MPI Label Systems. This key role is responsible for translating sales demand into an efficient, executable manufacturing schedule that optimizes machine time and meets customer delivery commitments.

Position Overview

The Production Scheduler is the central coordinator responsible for developing, releasing, and maintaining the master production schedule for the entire manufacturing plant, including both printing presses and finishing equipment. This role balances customer delivery requirements with material availability and machine capacity to maximize efficiency, reduce non-productive time, and control inventory levels.

Functional Responsibilities and Tasks

The core functions involve strategic scheduling, capacity planning, material coordination, and cross-functional communication:

I. Scheduling and Execution Strategy

• Schedule Development: Create the daily and weekly production schedule for all work centers (Flexo Presses, Digital Presses, QC/Inspection, and Finishing) using the company's ERP/MRP system and specialized scheduling tools.
• Optimization: Sequence jobs intelligently to minimize changeover time, focusing on grouping jobs by common attributes like plate repeats, colors, material types, and ink systems.
• Prioritization: Balance conflicting priorities by determining the order of job execution based on customer need dates, machine constraints, material readiness, and profitability metrics.
• Schedule Maintenance: Monitor the progress of jobs on the floor in real-time. Proactively adjust the schedule when unexpected events occur (e.g., equipment failure, material issues, quality holds) and communicate impacts to all stakeholders.

II. Capacity and Material Management

• Capacity Planning: Analyze available machine hours and labor capacity. Work with Production Supervisors to resolve potential bottlenecks and overload conditions, ensuring realistic delivery commitments are made.
• Material Coordination: Review the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) output and work closely with the Purchasing and Warehouse departments to confirm all required raw materials (substrates, inks, dies, plates) are available before a job is scheduled to run.
• WIP Management: Monitor and manage the flow and staging of Work-in-Process (WIP) inventory, minimizing congestion and ensuring smooth transfers between production stages.
• Lead Times: Maintain accurate standard lead times for various product types and communicate any deviations to the Sales team promptly.

III. Administration and Communication

• Job Release: Generate and release complete production job packets to the manufacturing floor, ensuring all necessary documentation (job tickets, specifications, quality notes) is included.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Serve as the key communication hub, providing accurate scheduling updates to Sales/Customer Service, Production Supervision, and Management.
• Performance Analysis: Track and report on key scheduling performance indicators (KPIs), such as Schedule Adherence and On-Time Delivery (OTD) performance, providing feedback to the Plant Manager on areas for process improvement.
• Data Integrity: Ensure the accuracy of all scheduling master data, including machine standards, labor rates, and routing paths within the ERP system.

You should be proficient in:

• Continuous Improvement
• Production Planning & Scheduling
• Inventory Management & Control
• Excellent Communication Skills

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• ERP Software