Description
Position Summary
The Master Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing the Master Production Schedule (MPS) to ensure a feasible and efficient production plan aligned with current customer demand, available capacity, and material availability.
This role focuses on short- to mid-term schedule execution, ensuring production continuity, on-time delivery, and rapid response to changes in the manufacturing environment.
The Master Scheduler plays a critical role in balancing demand and capacity, identifying constraints, and driving proactive solutions to maintain production commitments.
Key Responsibilities
Production Scheduling & Execution
- Develop and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) based on confirmed customer orders and approved demand plans.
- Translate demand requirements into weekly and daily production schedules.
- Ensure schedules are feasible considering available labor, machine capacity, and material supply.
- Continuously adjust schedules based on:
- Production performance
- Material availability
- Changes in customer priorities
Demand & Capacity Alignment
- Balance customer demand with plant capabilities to optimize throughput and delivery performance.
- Identify capacity constraints and production bottlenecks and collaborate with operations to resolve them.
- Support production leadership in planning for overtime, additional shifts, or schedule adjustments when required.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Collaborate closely with Production, Materials, Purchasing, Engineering, and Customer Service to ensure schedule alignment and execution.
- Communicate schedule priorities, changes, and risks clearly across departments.
- Support Customer Service by providing realistic order commit dates based on the current schedule.
ERP / System Management
- Maintain and execute production schedules within the ERP/MRP system.
- Ensure accuracy of planning data including:
- Lead times
- Routings
- Work centers
- Monitor system signals (shortages, order releases, exceptions) to maintain schedule integrity.
Inventory & Material Coordination
- Ensure alignment between production schedules and material availability.
- Work with Purchasing and Materials teams to anticipate shortages and prevent production disruptions.
- Support inventory optimization by balancing service levels and inventory turns.
Performance Monitoring
- Track and report on execution-focused KPIs, including:
- Schedule adherence
- On-time delivery (OTD)
- Production attainment
- Short-term capacity utilization
- Identify gaps in execution and support corrective actions to improve schedule performance.
Material & Production Coordination
- Ensure material availability aligns with the production schedule.
- Partner with Purchasing and Materials teams to highlight shortages and expedite critical items.
- Monitor WIP flow to support continuous production execution
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business Administration or related field preferred.
Experience
- 5-8 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain planning within a manufacturing environment. Desirable as Master Scheduler.
- Experience in a high mix low volume environment
- Experience in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle,etc.) required.
- Experience in electrical equipment, transformers, or heavy manufacturing is highly desirable.
- APICS, CPIM certified
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and planning skills
- Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities
- Strong understanding of MRP/MPS planning principles
- Excellent cross-functional communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- On-Time Delivery (OTD)
- Schedule Adherence
- Revenue target
- Production Throughput
- Inventory Turns
- Capacity Utilization
- Reduction of Production Delays
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business Administration or related field
- 5-8 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain planning within a manufacturing environment
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
- Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities
- Strong understanding of MRP/MPS planning principles
- Experience in a high mix low volume manufacturing environment
- Experience in electrical equipment, transformers, or heavy manufacturing
- APICS CPIM certification
- Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, problem-solve, and make operational decisions in a fast-paced environment
What We Do
VanTran Industries, Inc. manufactures and designs custom liquid-filled transformers and other electrical application products for industrial, commercial, military, and utility markets.
