The Production Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating production schedules to ensure customer orders are completed on time while maximizing labor, equipment, and material utilization. This position works closely with Production, Purchasing, Sales, Warehouse, and other departments to identify constraints, resolve scheduling issues, and maintain an efficient flow of work throughout the manufacturing operation. The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, detail-oriented, and able to make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where priorities can change quickly.

VE Solutions Company Values

At VE Solutions, our values guide how we work, make decisions, and interact with one another. The Production Scheduler is expected to consistently demonstrate and promote these values:

Family

• Treat coworkers, customers, and business partners with respect, professionalism, and consideration.
• Support a positive, team-oriented work environment.
• Recognize that every employee plays an important role in the success of the organization.

Innovation

• Look for better, more efficient ways to schedule production and utilize resources.
• Embrace new technologies, systems, processes, and ideas that improve operations.
• Challenge existing processes when opportunities for improvement are identified.

Growth & Recognition

• Continuously develop knowledge of production planning, scheduling, ERP/MRP systems, and manufacturing operations.
• Recognize and support the contributions of team members.
• Seek opportunities to improve individual and departmental performance.

Authenticity

• Communicate honestly, professionally, and respectfully.
• Provide accurate production information, even when the information may be difficult or unfavorable.
• Take ownership of scheduling decisions, commitments, and mistakes.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise good judgment when handling company and employee information.

Collaboration

• Work closely with Production, Purchasing, Sales, Warehouse, Quality, and other departments to achieve shared goals.
• Communicate proactively and ensure the right people have the information needed to make effective decisions.
• Approach problems as a team and focus on solutions rather than assigning blame.

Core Responsibilities

Production Scheduling

• Create, maintain, and update short- and long-term production schedules using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Develop production schedules based on customer demand, inventory levels, material availability, labor capacity, equipment capacity, and established production priorities.
• Prioritize and sequence work orders to meet customer delivery requirements and maximize production efficiency.
• Monitor daily production progress and adjust schedules as priorities, capacity, or customer requirements change.
• Ensure production schedules are realistic, achievable, and aligned with available resources.

Resource Coordination

• Confirm the availability of raw materials, components, labor, equipment, tooling, and other resources required for scheduled production.
• Coordinate with Purchasing and Inventory/Warehouse personnel to ensure materials are available when needed.
• Work with Production Supervisors to understand staffing levels, equipment availability, downtime, and production capacity.
• Identify potential constraints before they impact production or customer delivery commitments.

Constraint & Issue Management

• Identify material shortages, equipment downtime, staffing limitations, quality issues, and other potential production constraints.
• Adjust production schedules and priorities to minimize delays and maintain workflow.
• Communicate schedule changes promptly to affected departments.
• Escalate significant risks to production schedules, customer commitments, or capacity to appropriate management.
• Develop practical solutions when complete information is not available.

Cross-Functional Communication

• Conduct or participate in daily production meetings with Plant Supervisors, Purchasing, Sales, Warehouse, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide accurate updates regarding production status, work order progress, material availability, and anticipated completion dates.
• Communicate changes to production priorities and delivery expectations.
• Partner with Sales and Customer Service to provide realistic order completion and delivery information.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation of scheduling changes and production commitments.
• Promote a culture of Collaboration by ensuring departments work together toward common production and customer-service goals.

Reporting & Analysis

• Monitor production performance against established schedules and customer requirements.
• Track key performance indicators, including schedule adherence, production output, capacity utilization, order backlog, and on-time completion.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare reports and communicate scheduling and production performance to management.
• Use Microsoft Excel to analyze data, develop reports, and support production planning decisions.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve production flow, line efficiency, scheduling accuracy, and resource utilization.
• Recommend improvements that reduce downtime, production delays, excess inventory, and unnecessary changeovers.
• Work with Operations and other departments to implement process improvements.
• Demonstrate Innovation by seeking new approaches, technologies, and processes that improve efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that contribute to the Growth & Recognition of both employees and the organization.

Required Qualifications

Experience

• 2–5 years of production planning, production scheduling, materials planning, or related experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing operation with multiple priorities is strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency with ERP/MRP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, data analysis, sorting/filtering, and reporting.
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize company-specific ERP, production planning, and reporting systems.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to evaluate multiple variables and make sound decisions.
• Ability to make effective decisions with incomplete or changing information.
• Ability to analyze production capacity, inventory, labor availability, material requirements, and order priorities.
• Strong mathematical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications, work orders, bills of materials, and other manufacturing documentation.

Communication & Organizational Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong follow-through and accountability.
• Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and effective under pressure when schedules and priorities change.
• Demonstrated commitment to VE Solutions' values of Family, Innovation, Growth & Recognition, Authenticity, and Collaboration.

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience may be considered.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NetSuite or another ERP/MRP system.
• Experience in production planning, materials requirements planning, or capacity planning.
• Experience in a remanufacturing, assembly, or multi-product manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, or other process-improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with bills of materials, routings, work orders, and inventory requirements.
• APICS/ASCM certification or related supply-chain certification is a plus.

Key Performance Expectations

• Maintain accurate and achievable production schedules.
• Support on-time completion of customer orders.
• Minimize production delays caused by material, labor, or equipment constraints.
• Improve schedule adherence and production efficiency.
• Maintain accurate ERP/MRP and scheduling information.
• Communicate production risks and changes promptly and effectively.
• Support continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Demonstrate VE Solutions' values in daily interactions, decision-making, and problem-solving.
• Build strong working relationships across departments through Collaboration, Authenticity, and respect.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in a manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with production personnel, supervisors, warehouse employees, purchasing, sales, and management. The position may require time on the production floor to observe workflow, verify production status, and identify scheduling constraints.

The Production Scheduler must be able to effectively balance office-based planning and analysis with hands-on interaction with the manufacturing operation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VE Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.