Production Control Coordinator - Scheduler

The Production Control Coordinator - Scheduler is responsible for maintaining the production schedule, monitoring work in process (WIP), and coordinating production priorities to support customer due dates and timely shipment. This position works closely with the Production Control Manager and serves as a liaison between Production, Shipping, and Sales.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Update and maintain the master schedule for layup presses based on customer due dates, material availability, production requirements, and mill conditions.
• Identify and schedule blanks and needed to support the production schedule.
• Monitor WIP and work with Value Stream Managers and proactively follow up on delayed, incomplete, and priority orders to keep production moving and meet customer commitments.
• Track remake/relay requirements and ensure relays are scheduled and prioritized appropriately.
• Develop, update, and distribute Priority Lists for day and swing shifts.  Work With VSMs and departmental Mentors and leads to ensure priority completion is realistic and achievable.
• Adjust schedules and priorities in response to material shortages, production delays, equipment constraints, quality issues, remakes, Engineering projects and changing customer needs.
• Maintain production tracking sheets and reports for WIP, order status, priorities, remakes, and other production-control needs.
• Utilize Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Excel, including pivot tables, to track, analyze, and communicate production information.
• Serve as a liaison between Production, Shipping, and Sales regarding order status, priorities, scheduling changes, and potential delays.
• Attend the daily Sales and Production meeting to provide input and receive feedback.  When required, lead this meeting as a stand in for the Production Control Manager.
• Communicate potential scheduling or customer due-date issues promptly and escalate significant conflicts or constraints to the Production Control Manager.
• Perform other production-control duties as assigned.

Key Performance Indicators:

Performance in the Production Control Coordinator – Scheduler position may be evaluated using the following measures:

• On-Time Delivery: Percentage of customer orders completed and available to support committed shipment dates.
• Schedule Attainment: Percentage of scheduled production completed within the planned production period.
• Schedule Accuracy: Effectiveness of production plans in reflecting realistic capacity, production rates, material availability, and operational constraints.
• Past-Due Orders: Number and duration of past-due production orders and effectiveness in identifying and addressing at-risk orders before customer commitments are affected.
• Production Flow: Effectiveness of scheduling in maintaining consistent material flow between work centers and minimizing bottlenecks and interruptions.
• Work-in-Process (WIP): Appropriate management of WIP levels relative to downstream demand and available capacity.
• Inventory Performance: Effective use of existing inventory and avoidance of unnecessary production or excessive finished goods inventory.
• Capacity Utilization: Effective alignment of production requirements with available equipment and manufacturing capacity.
• Changeover Efficiency: Scheduling and sequencing that minimizes unnecessary product changes, setups, and production disruptions.
• Planning Parameter Accuracy: Accuracy and maintenance of production rates, lead times, capacity assumptions, and other planning data used within D365.
• Schedule Communication: Timely and accurate communication of production priorities, schedule changes, constraints, and customer risks to affected stakeholders.
• Constraint Identification: Proactive identification and escalation of material, capacity, equipment, labor, and other issues that could impact production or customer commitments.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated improvements in scheduling effectiveness, production flow, lead time, inventory, schedule attainment, and planning processes.

PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum three years’ experience in production scheduling, production control, manufacturing planning, expediting, or a related manufacturing role. Plywood manufacturing preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• Experience in a multi-step manufacturing environment.
• Experience coordinating production activities across departments and/or shifts.
• Hardwood plywood or wood-products manufacturing experience is beneficial but not required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a combination of office and industrial manufacturing environments.
• The position requires regular interaction with manufacturing operations and periodic presence on the production floor to understand production conditions, equipment constraints, material flow, inventory, and scheduling issues.
• While on the manufacturing floor, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical equipment, forklifts and other mobile equipment, wood products, dust, noise, fumes, odors, adhesives, chemicals, heat, cold, and other conditions common to plywood manufacturing.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn while in designated manufacturing areas.
• The position requires frequent computer use and regular use of D365 ERP, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and other planning and business systems.
• The employee must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where production priorities, customer requirements, equipment availability, and material conditions may change throughout the day.
• This role requires frequent communication and coordination with employees and leaders throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position.
• The position may occasionally require work outside normally scheduled hours to respond to significant production changes, customer requirements, inventory issues, or other operational needs.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to the Production Control Manager and is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and execution of the production schedule and associated expediting activities.