Master Scheduler
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