Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Manufacturing Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

As our Manufacturing Coordinator, you are the critical link between our planning, production, and logistics teams. You will be the conductor of the factory floor, ensuring a seamless flow of information and materials to meet our production goals. Your primary mission is to translate production plans into actionable tasks, proactively resolve bottlenecks, and maintain clear communication across all departments. This isn't just about tracking progress; it's about actively driving efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery in a dynamic, hands-on environment. You'll be empowered to optimize processes and contribute directly to our operational success and customer satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Assistant / Associate
Inventory Clerk / Analyst
Quality Control Inspector
Machine Operator

Advancement To:

Production Supervisor
Master Scheduler / Production Planner
Manufacturing Manager
Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Supply Chain Planner
Logistics Coordinator
Quality Assurance Specialist
Procurement Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, maintain, and communicate detailed production schedules and work orders to align with master production plans and customer demand.
Coordinate the daily flow of work and materials between departments, including fabrication, assembly, quality control, and shipping, to ensure production targets are met.
Actively monitor production progress against schedules in real-time, identify potential delays or bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to keep operations on track.
Manage and verify Bill of Materials (BOMs) and manufacturing routers, ensuring accuracy and communicating any necessary changes to engineering and production teams.
Liaise with the procurement and supply chain teams to confirm timely availability of raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies required for production runs.
Create, release, and manage manufacturing work orders within the ERP/MRP system, ensuring all data is accurate and up-to-date from initiation to completion.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the production floor, addressing questions, clarifying priorities, and resolving operational issues in real-time.
Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, production output, cycle time, and schedule attainment.
Coordinate with the quality assurance department to ensure products meet all specifications and that any non-conformance issues are addressed promptly and documented.
Plan and prioritize operations to ensure maximum performance and minimum delay, optimizing the utilization of equipment, materials, and labor.
Expedite critical orders and operations as needed, communicating status updates to sales, customer service, and management teams.
Oversee the transfer of finished goods from production to inventory or the shipping department, ensuring accurate documentation and system transactions.
Participate in daily production planning meetings to provide insights on capacity, constraints, and operational feasibility for upcoming orders.
Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with company policies, safety regulations (e.g., OSHA), and quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001).

Secondary Functions

Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process optimization, waste reduction, and efficiency gains using lean manufacturing principles.
Assist in managing inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods to prevent stockouts and minimize carrying costs.
Generate and analyze production data to prepare reports for management, highlighting trends, challenges, and performance metrics.
Collaborate with the engineering team on the introduction of new products (NPI) or engineering change orders (ECOs), ensuring a smooth transition to the production floor.
Maintain accurate and organized manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process sheets, and production records.
Coordinate with the maintenance department to schedule preventative maintenance for critical equipment with minimal disruption to the production schedule.
Assist in resolving discrepancies in inventory counts and work order material consumption through cycle counting and system audits.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MRP (Material Requirements Planning) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite).
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and scheduling (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Formulas).
Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, production workflows, and production planning principles.
Experience with reading and interpreting Bill of Materials (BOMs) and engineering drawings.
Strong knowledge of inventory management and control techniques (e.g., JIT, Kanban, Cycle Counting).
Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
Experience using production scheduling software and tools.

Soft Skills

Exceptional organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues before they escalate.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with diverse, cross-functional teams.
High level of attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work, from data entry to schedule creation.
Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and influence others without direct authority.
Adaptability and flexibility to respond effectively to changing production demands and unforeseen challenges.
A collaborative mindset and a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve common goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or an Associate's degree.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Operations Management
Business Administration
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of experience in a manufacturing, production planning, or coordination role.

Preferred:

Experience in a specific industry (e.g., electronics, automotive, aerospace, medical devices) and hands-on experience with a specific ERP system (e.g., SAP S/4HANA) are highly desirable. APICS (CPIM) certification is a plus.