Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Master Scheduler

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

Supply ChainManufacturingOperationsPlanning

🎯 Role Definition

At the heart of our operations, the Master Scheduler serves as the strategic orchestrator of our entire production and supply chain ecosystem. This pivotal role is tasked with the creation, management, and execution of the Master Production Schedule (MPS)—the definitive plan that dictates what products are made, in what quantities, and at what time. By expertly balancing the complexities of customer demand, manufacturing capacity, and strategic inventory goals, the Master Scheduler ensures a seamless, efficient, and cost-effective production flow. This position demands a sophisticated mix of sharp analytical skills, forward-thinking strategy, and influential collaboration to synchronize the efforts of sales, procurement, production, and logistics, ultimately driving unparalleled customer satisfaction and achieving our company's financial targets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Planner
  • Materials Planner / Analyst
  • Supply Chain Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Planning Manager or S&OP Manager
  • Director of Operations or Materials

Lateral Moves:

  • Demand Planner / Manager
  • Senior Buyer / Procurement Manager
  • Logistics Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, maintain, and communicate a valid, forward-looking Master Production Schedule (MPS) for all finished goods, ensuring it is perfectly aligned with the business plan, sales forecast, and actual customer orders.
  • Translate complex demand plans and sales forecasts into a granular, executable production schedule, meticulously considering all manufacturing constraints, material lead times, and available capacity.
  • Perform comprehensive "what-if" analyses and sophisticated scenario planning to proactively assess the impact of demand fluctuations, material shortages, or production disruptions on schedule adherence and costs.
  • Lead and facilitate dynamic weekly scheduling meetings with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, Production, and Procurement, to review performance, address challenges, and resolve scheduling conflicts.
  • Act as a key leader and contributor within the monthly Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle, providing critical data, insights, and recommendations on capacity, production, and inventory health.
  • Proactively manage and optimize inventory levels for both finished goods and work-in-progress (WIP) to meet aggressive service level targets while minimizing carrying costs and the risk of obsolescence.
  • Analyze and manage available plant capacity, including labor, machinery, and tooling, to identify potential bottlenecks well in advance and collaborate with operations to develop effective mitigation strategies.
  • Systematically release and manage production orders to the factory floor in precise alignment with the MPS, ensuring all necessary materials and components are confirmed available to prevent downtime.
  • Monitor production progress against the schedule in real-time, swiftly identifying any deviations, expediting critical orders, and making necessary adjustments to maintain schedule attainment.
  • Serve as the primary, trusted point of contact for Customer Service and Sales teams regarding order status, realistic lead times, and available-to-promise (ATP) commitments.
  • Generate, analyze, and publish a suite of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Schedule Attainment, On-Time Delivery (OTD), Inventory Turns, and Forecast Accuracy to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate intimately with Procurement and Materials Planning teams to ensure the timely availability of all raw materials and components needed to support the production plan without interruption.
  • Drive the rapid resolution of material shortages or quality issues that threaten the production schedule by coordinating and influencing action from relevant departments like Quality Assurance and Purchasing.
  • Maintain the absolute integrity of all planning data and parameters within the ERP system, including manufacturing lead times, safety stock levels, lot sizes, and bill of materials (BOMs).
  • Champion and spearhead continuous improvement initiatives within the end-to-end planning and scheduling processes, leveraging tools like Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other best-practice methodologies.
  • Evaluate and establish optimal production batch sizes and run frequencies to achieve the perfect balance between minimizing changeover costs and reducing inventory holding costs.
  • Meticulously coordinate the introduction of new products (NPI) into the production schedule, guaranteeing a smooth and efficient transition from the development phase to full-scale manufacturing.
  • Effectively manage and plan for the impact of engineering change orders (ECOs) on the production schedule, material requirements, and inventory to minimize disruption and obsolete material.
  • Develop robust long-range capacity and production plans, typically spanning 12-18 months, to support strategic business planning, capital investment decisions, and long-term growth.
  • Clearly identify and communicate significant risks and opportunities related to the production plan to senior management, consistently providing data-driven recommendations for action.
  • Act as the go-to subject matter expert and power user for the company's ERP/MRP system and any associated advanced planning and scheduling (APS) software.
  • Support critical quarter-end and year-end planning activities, working closely with Finance and Operations to ensure all financial and operational targets are successfully met.

Secondary Functions

  • Actively participate in and support continuous improvement projects and Kaizen events aimed at enhancing overall operational efficiency and reducing waste.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for the planning and scheduling modules within the company's ERP system, providing guidance and support to other users.
  • Assist in the formal training and informal mentoring of junior planners and schedulers, sharing best practices and critical process knowledge.
  • Develop, document, and maintain clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for all master scheduling functions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert-level proficiency with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, particularly with planning modules (e.g., SAP IBP/PP, Oracle SCM Cloud, JDE, Microsoft Dynamics 365).
  • Deep, practical understanding of Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP), and Rough-Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP) principles.
  • Advanced mastery of Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, data modeling, and macros for sophisticated analysis and reporting.
  • Significant experience with Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software is a strong differentiator.
  • Proven ability in data analysis and reporting, with a talent for transforming complex data sets into clear, actionable insights and compelling stories.
  • Thorough knowledge of end-to-end supply chain management processes, including demand planning, inventory control, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).
  • APICS certification (CPIM - Certified in Production and Inventory Management or CSCP - Certified Supply Chain Professional) is strongly preferred and highly regarded.
  • Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma principles and their application in a production environment.
  • A firm understanding of manufacturing fundamentals, including Bill of Materials (BOM) and production routing structures.
  • Demonstrable experience in creating, managing, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive supply chain performance.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Analytical and Strategic Thinking
  • Decisive Problem-Solving and Sound Judgment
  • Influential Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Impeccable Accuracy and Unwavering Attention to Detail
  • Natural Ability to Collaborate and Build Consensus Across Functions
  • Superior Organizational and Time Management Capabilities
  • High Degree of Resilience and Adaptability in a Fast-Paced Environment
  • Strong Sense of Ownership and Accountability

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:
Master's Degree or a relevant professional certification such as APICS CPIM or CSCP.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Operations Management
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
A minimum of 5-8 years of progressive experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain management, preferably within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Preferred:
Direct experience in a complex, high-mix manufacturing setting (e.g., make-to-order, engineer-to-order) and a proven track record of leading or significantly contributing to S&OP process implementation and improvement.

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