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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for MPS Planner

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

Supply ChainManufacturingPlanningLogistics

🎯 Role Definition

As an MPS Planner, you are the conductor of our production orchestra. You will be at the heart of our supply chain, responsible for creating and managing the Master Production Schedule (MPS) that dictates our entire manufacturing operation. This is a highly visible role that requires a blend of analytical prowess, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration. You will be the crucial link between sales forecasting, demand planning, and shop-floor execution, ensuring we have the right products made at the right time to meet customer demand while optimizing inventory and resource utilization. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are passionate about solving complex supply chain puzzles, this is the opportunity for you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

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

Advancement To:

  • Senior MPS Planner / Master Scheduler
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Demand Planning Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Demand Planner
  • Inventory Manager
  • Procurement or Sourcing Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, maintain, and publish a realistic and achievable Master Production Schedule (MPS) for designated product families, ensuring alignment with the business plan, sales forecast, and capacity constraints over a rolling 12-18 month horizon.
  • Conduct thorough analysis of demand data, sales forecasts, and historical material usage to develop and execute a valid, data-driven master schedule.
  • Lead weekly scheduling meetings with production, sales, and procurement teams to validate the production plan, address potential conflicts, and resolve backlogs.
  • Perform robust "what-if" scenario analysis to evaluate the impact of demand changes, material shortages, or capacity fluctuations on the production plan and propose viable solutions.
  • Proactively identify, communicate, and escalate potential risks to schedule attainment, including capacity bottlenecks, material lead time issues, and labor shortages, while driving effective mitigation strategies.
  • Manage and optimize finished goods inventory levels to achieve customer service targets (e.g., fill rates, on-time delivery) while minimizing carrying costs and the risk of obsolescence.
  • Collaborate closely with Demand Planners to understand forecast assumptions, challenge discrepancies, and communicate production capabilities and constraints to ensure a consensus-based plan.
  • Translate the high-level MPS into actionable inputs for detailed production scheduling (MRP) and coordinate with shop floor schedulers for smooth execution.
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Schedule Attainment, On-Time In-Full (OTIF), Inventory Turns, and Backlog, providing regular insights to management.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for customer service and sales teams regarding order status, lead times, and available-to-promise (ATP) information.
  • Spearhead the rough-cut capacity planning (RCCP) process to ensure the master schedule is balanced against critical resources (machinery, labor, materials) over the medium and long-term planning horizon.
  • Actively participate in the monthly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle, providing key inputs, analysis, and recommendations on the supply side of the business.
  • Ensure the integrity of master data within the ERP system, including manufacturing lead times, safety stock levels, lot sizing rules, and bill of materials (BOMs).
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to planning processes, systems, and tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall supply chain responsiveness.
  • Manage product lifecycle events within the production schedule, including coordinating the ramp-up for new product introductions (NPIs) and the phase-out for end-of-life (EOL) products.

Secondary Functions

  • Coordinate with procurement and materials planners to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components to support the committed production schedule.
  • Perform root cause analysis on schedule misses, stock-outs, or inventory discrepancies and implement effective and sustainable corrective actions.
  • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for all master scheduling and capacity planning processes.
  • Support the annual budgeting and long-range strategic planning process by providing data-driven capacity and production volume projections.
  • Train and mentor junior planners or other supply chain team members on MPS principles and system usage.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP/MRP Proficiency: Deep understanding and hands-on experience with major ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, Oracle, NetSuite, JDE).
  • Advanced Excel Skills: Mastery of Excel for data analysis, including pivot tables, advanced formulas (VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS), and data modeling.
  • Advanced Planning Systems (APS): Experience with APS software for complex scheduling and optimization is a significant plus.
  • APICS/ASCM Certification: CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management) or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) certification is highly desired.
  • S&OP Process Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the Sales and Operations Planning cycle and the role of the MPS within it.
  • Data Analysis & Visualization: Ability to interpret large datasets and use tools like Power BI or Tableau to create insightful reports and dashboards.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: Exceptional ability to analyze complex situations, identify root causes, and develop logical, data-driven solutions.
  • Communication & Influence: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams (Sales, Operations, Finance) without direct authority.
  • High Attention to Detail: Meticulous and accurate in managing complex schedules and data, understanding that small errors can have significant impacts.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the bigger picture and understand how the Master Production Schedule impacts overall business objectives.
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Skilled in negotiating priorities and resolving conflicts between competing stakeholder demands in a professional manner.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in a relevant field or an MBA.

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of progressive experience in production planning, supply chain analysis, or master scheduling within a manufacturing environment.

Preferred: Direct experience as an MPS Planner or Master Scheduler in a fast-paced industry such as consumer goods, electronics, automotive, or pharmaceuticals is highly preferred. Proven track record of improving planning metrics and successfully managing a complex product portfolio.

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