Master Production Scheduler

Job Summary:

The Master Production Scheduler (MPS) is responsible for developing and maintaining a strategic, efficient production schedule across all manufacturing facilities. This role ensures alignment between customer demand, production capacity, and material availability, while leading and managing a team of plant-based planners. The MPS also owns the accuracy of planning-related master data and plays a critical role in reducing and controlling working capital by optimizing inventory levels and production flows.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage the Master Production Schedule across all manufacturing sites to ensure timely product delivery, optimal resource utilization, and balanced inventory.
• Lead, coach, and manage a team of planners at each plant location, ensuring consistent planning practices, goal alignment, and performance standards.
• Collaborate with Plant Managers, Operations, Procurement, and Sales to translate demand forecasts into executable production plans.
• Monitor capacity, identify potential constraints, and develop solutions to optimize production flow.
• Drive schedule adherence and proactively address disruptions or material shortages through effective planning and communication.
• Participate in and contribute to the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.
• Maintain and manage accurate planning-related master data (e.g., lead times, lot sizes, routings, BOMs) in ERP systems.
• Analyze and optimize inventory levels to reduce working capital while ensuring service level targets are met.
• Ensure ERP/MRP systems are used effectively across sites and maintain planning accuracy and data integrity.
• Establish and monitor planning KPIs (schedule attainment, plan accuracy, lead times) and lead corrective actions as needed.
• Champion best practices in production planning and promote standardization across plants.
• Act as a key point of escalation for plant planners and resolve issues impacting the master schedule.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in production scheduling or planning, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
• Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Acumatica).
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive accountability, and build cross-functional relationships.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with scheduling/planning software.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification.
• Experience in multi-site or network-level scheduling in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.

Work Environment:

• Primarily office-based, with regular coordination across plant locations and occasional site visits.
• Leadership role requiring team management, decision-making, and the ability to influence across functions.