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What is a master planner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

A Master Planner is responsible for creating and managing shipping and inventory schedules and strategies. They usually create monthly and quarterly timelines, though they may make ones for even smaller portions of time, in order to ensure that no unexpected event changes things in a drastic way and months ahead.

They are also directly involved in the process of ordering materials and wares and often work in architectural settings and on the renovation and upgrading of facilities. This also often includes conducting research on various topics and analyzing data. They do inventory control, organization, and checks and cooperate with a number of other personnel and teams to get their job done properly.

A candidate for the position generally must have a degree in Business or Economics or, if they're working in a role tied to architecture, in the field of Architecture itself. In the latter case, they also need to have a proficiency in software specific to that industry and years of previous experience in their industry and working with supply chains or materials. On average, they earn $74,827 a year.

ScoreMaster PlannerUS Average
Salary
6.3

Avg. Salary $80,433

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.8

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.53%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 10.17%

Hispanic or Latino 16.78%

Unknown 4.93%

White 60.59%

Gender

female 35.06%

male 64.94%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Master planner career paths

Key steps to become a master planner

  1. Explore master planner education requirements

    Most common master planner degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.7 %

    Master's

    14.5 %

    Associate

    11.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific master planner skills

    SkillsPercentages
    MRP6.45%
    Continuous Improvement6.18%
    Program Management5.91%
    On-Time Delivery4.77%
    Logistics4.74%
  3. Complete relevant master planner training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New master planners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a master planner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real master planner resumes.
  4. Research master planner duties and responsibilities

    • Supervise NPI chip fulfillment process - manage wafer starts to meet internal qualification and board level build plan.
    • Enter sales orders into JD Edwards (MRP) system and assign work order with sales order.
    • Generate daily status reports for managers, create and distribute WIP report on MRB/RMA materials per department.
    • Decrease WIP inventory, improve response to retail demand changes, drive inventory cost reductions and decreases in returns.
  5. Prepare your master planner resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your master planner resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a master planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable master planner resume templates

    Build a professional master planner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your master planner resume.
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
    Master Planner Resume
  6. Apply for master planner jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a master planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first master planner job

Zippi

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Average master planner salary

The average master planner salary in the United States is $80,433 per year or $39 per hour. Master planner salaries range between $63,000 and $102,000 per year.

Average master planner salary
$80,433 Yearly
$38.67 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do master planners rate their job?

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Master planner reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Because you will know able equipment and know the planning produce,system like SAP or A/N, PO, PR and SES PROCESS

Cons

Are love the short and long time plant, it make you know so many process in that. thanks


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

KEEPING THE INVENTORY AND COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE

Cons

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT YET. BUT I WOULD LIKE MORE MONEY,


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

I work with an amazing team. To an extent I feel as if I have creative freedom. There are stressful days. In the end, its worth it and I love the challenge.

Cons

The stressful days, and disappointment associated with it.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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