POSITION SUMMARY
The Master Scheduler & Digital Planning Manager is responsible for leading production planning, master scheduling, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), operational analytics, and digital manufacturing initiatives within a high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environment.
This position serves as the organization's primary authority on production flow, manufacturing capacity, schedule risk, operational forecasting, and performance measurement. Using M1 ERP, Foundry, Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, and integrated manufacturing systems, this role drives improved schedule adherence, throughput, on-time delivery, and data-driven decision-making across the organization.
The Master Scheduler & Digital Planning Manager owns the enterprise Master Production Schedule (MPS), facilitates the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, and provides leadership for Production Planning and Production Control activities. This position aligns customer demand, manufacturing capacity, material availability, labor resources, and business priorities while providing executive leadership with accurate and timely visibility into operational performance.
This role serves as the business owner for operational planning systems, performance reporting, capacity modeling, schedule adherence methodology, and operational analytics. Success will be measured through improvements in delivery performance, planning accuracy, throughput, labor utilization, schedule stability, and overall manufacturing effectiveness.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and maintain the master production schedule (MPS) across multiple product lines in a high-mix manufacturing environment.
- Optimize production by balancing demand, capacity, inventory, and lead times while coordinating labor, equipment, facilities, suppliers, and materials across all value streams.
- Ensure alignment between customer demand, manufacturing capacity, workforce needs, material availability, and overall business priorities.
- Monitor schedule adherence and proactively adjust and develop recovery plans to address constraints, disruptions, delivery risks and priorities.
- Leverage AI/ML-based planning and scheduling tools to improve forecast accuracy, capacity planning, and sequencing.
- Deploy predictive analytics for demand variability, bottleneck detection, and throughput optimization.
- Continuously evaluate and enhance algorithm performance and applicability within the manufacturing environment.
- Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for ERP, APS (Advanced Planning & Scheduling), and MES systems related to scheduling.
- Ensure data integrity for key planning inputs such as BOMs, routings, lead times, and capacity models.
- Develop dashboards and reporting tools to provide real-time visibility into schedule performance, KPIs, and risks.
- Lead system enhancements, integrations, and digital transformation initiatives tied to production planning.
- Drive Schedule adherence and capacity utilization.
- Communicate schedule changes, risks, and recovery plans clearly to stakeholders.
- Manage scheduling complexity associated with frequent changeovers, diverse product configurations, and variable processing times.
- Optimize sequencing to minimize setup time while maintaining customer delivery commitments.
- Implement strategies for flexible manufacturing and rapid response to changing customer demands.
- Develop short, medium, and long-range production plans aligned with customer commitments and business objectives.
- Establish and maintain finite-capacity planning methodologies.
- Lead weekly and monthly planning reviews.
- Evaluate the operational impact of changing customer priorities, engineering changes, and new business opportunities.
- Ensure planning processes support both operational execution and strategic business objectives.
- Own and facilitate the monthly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.
- Develop demand, capacity, and supply planning scenarios.
- Identify and communicate future constraints, risks, and resource requirements.
- Present operational forecasts and recommendations to executive leadership.
- Drive organizational alignment regarding production priorities and resource allocation.
- Monitor and report S&OP plan attainment.
- Own the development, governance, and reporting of operational performance metrics.
- Establish standard KPI definitions, calculations, reporting methodologies, and accountability structures.
- Lead operational performance reviews with leadership teams.
- Analyze trends and provide recommendations based on operational data.
- Ensure performance reporting drives action and continuous improvement.
- Serve as the business owner for Foundry-related operational planning and analytics initiatives.
- Develop and maintain operational and executive dashboards, workflows, visual management systems and decision-support tools.
- Integrate ERP, labor, quality, engineering, and manufacturing data into a unified operational environment.
- Develop automated reporting and exception-management systems.
- Develop predictive analytics related to capacity utilization, delivery risk, schedule adherence, labor demand, and throughput performance.
- Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies that improve operational effectiveness.
- Lead, coach, and develop the Planning team.
- Establish organizational goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
- Develop team competencies in planning, scheduling, analytics, Foundry utilization, and AI-enabled decision support.
- Drive cross-functional alignment between Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.
- Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making.
- Improve planning accuracy, schedule stability, and operational predictability.
- Identify and eliminate planning-related inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
- Support Lean Manufacturing, Theory of Constraints, Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management initiatives.
- Lead projects focused on throughput improvement, delivery performance, and operational excellence.
- Standardize planning and reporting methodologies across the organization.
- Work to reduce and eliminate barriers and obstacles to improve overall cost and scheduling performance.
- Your leadership is expected to make it easier for employees to make quality products and make it easier for customers to do business with GSM.
- Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for creating a professional, safe, and clean environment evidenced by: being at work on time to perform assigned duties, following the policies of Granite State Manufacturing, always wearing safety glasses in designated areas, maintaining a neat and orderly work area, and following safety practices to prevent errors.
- Demonstrates commitment to teamwork by establishing effective relationships and networks with both managers/directors and workers, and collaborating with them to accomplish shared purposes and goals.
- Abides by GSM Code of Ethics and Business Conduct standards and strictly observes all U.S. and foreign laws and regulations.
- Completes other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Data Science, or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in production planning/scheduling in a manufacturing environment (high-mix preferred).
- 3+ years leading planning or scheduling teams
- Strong analytical skills with experience using data and modeling to drive decisions.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, capacity planning, and constraint-based scheduling.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing setting with high variability and evolving priorities.
- Experience with AI tools or platforms applied to supply chain or manufacturing optimization.
- Familiarity with Python, SQL, or data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and business intelligence skills.
- Experience with Foundry platforms and digital manufacturing ecosystems.
- Experience implementing AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, or advanced planning systems.
- Experience with ERP systems such as M1, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or similar platforms.
- Experience within defense, aerospace, naval, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Experience with MES integration and Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Systems thinking and problem-solving
- Data-driven decision-making
- Adaptability in complex, high-mix environments
- Strong communication and stakeholder management
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Inventory Management
EEO STATEMENT
Granite State Manufacturing (GSM) is an equal opportunity employer. GSM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its programs, activities or employment.
Benefits
Granite State Manufacturing offers a comprehensive benefits package to all GSM employees.
- Health & Wellness Programs
- Health Insurances (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Basic & Optional Life Insurance
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Worksite Benefits
- 401k Retirement Plan
- Paid Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Workers Compensation
…and much more.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Data Science, or related field
- 7+ years of experience in production planning/scheduling in a manufacturing environment (high-mix preferred)
- 3+ years leading planning or scheduling teams
- Strong analytical skills with experience using data and modeling to drive decisions
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, capacity planning, and constraint-based scheduling
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing setting with high variability and evolving priorities
- Experience with AI tools or platforms applied to supply chain or manufacturing optimization
- Familiarity with Python, SQL, or data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau)
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and business intelligence skills
- Experience with Foundry platforms and digital manufacturing ecosystems
- Experience implementing AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, or advanced planning systems
- Experience with ERP systems such as M1, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or similar platforms
- Experience within defense, aerospace, naval, or highly regulated manufacturing environments
- Experience with MES integration and Industry 4.0 technologies
- Systems thinking and problem-solving
- Data-driven decision-making
- Adaptability in complex, high-mix environments
- Strong communication and stakeholder management
- Continuous improvement mindset (Lean, TOC, Six Sigma familiarity)
- Inventory Management experience
Granite State Manufacturing Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Granite State Manufacturing and has not been reviewed or approved by Granite State Manufacturing.
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Affordable Benefits — Health coverage is described as having low employee contributions with the employer covering a substantial share in many cases. This reduces out-of-pocket costs alongside options like FSAs and wellness incentives.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision plans are offered together with company-paid short- and long-term disability and life/AD&D insurance. Additional programs such as an EAP and voluntary worksite benefits expand the protection set.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is included to support long-term savings. The broader package is complemented by paid time off and holidays.
Granite State Manufacturing Insights
What We Do
Granite State Manufacturing (GSM) is a New Hampshire-based precision manufacturer with more than 85 years of history and a clear purpose: building complex systems that support the U.S. Navy submarine fleet. From our facilities in Manchester and Nashua, NH, our 170+-person team produces precision-machined components, certified weldments, electromechanical assemblies, and integrated systems for U.S. Navy programs, including submarine life support, sonar, & communications systems. We hold AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and ITAR registrations — and we take those standards seriously, because the people who use what we build depend on them. GSM is a growing company. We've received Navy Supplier Development Funding across four programs, invested in advanced 5-axis machining, large-scale welding, and high-bay assembly capability, and helped build active training partnerships with Nashua Community College, Manchester Community College, and UMass Lowell — with machining and welding programs funded in full by the U.S. Navy. Machinists, welders, quality professionals, engineers, planners, and program managers are some of the roles we hire for. People who do their best work when the stakes are real. If that sounds like you, we'd like to talk.
Why Work With Us
We machine, weld, and assemble systems for U.S. Navy submarines. Not generic contract work — specific, high-consequence builds that have to be right. Family-owned for 85+ years. Two NH facilities. Work worth being good at.
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