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Master planner vs materials planner

The differences between master planners and materials planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a master planner and a materials planner. Additionally, a master planner has an average salary of $80,433, which is higher than the $58,467 average annual salary of a materials planner.

The top three skills for a master planner include MRP, continuous improvement and program management. The most important skills for a materials planner are supply chain, MRP, and purchase orders.

Master planner vs materials planner overview

Master PlannerMaterials Planner
Yearly salary$80,433$58,467
Hourly rate$38.67$28.11
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs26,86923,019
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a master planner do?

A master planner is responsible for creating and implementing inventory and overseeing shipment master schedules. You will develop planning tools to obtain stakeholders' approval, and convey and liaise master production schedule to ensure schedule availability. Additionally, your role will require you to plan the calendar to ensure monthly updates to the master production schedule. You are also responsible for developing, executing, and maintaining the tools and techniques needed to evaluate the effect of proposed changes to the schedule.

What does a materials planner do?

Usually working in a manufacturing setting, a materials planner's role is to manage the supply flow and inventory of materials. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with vendors and other external agencies, processing purchase orders, monitoring the quality of supplies to ensure it is according to the standards, and coordinating with various teams to learn their needs. Furthermore, as a planner, it is essential to devise strategies to resolve any issues, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.

Master planner vs materials planner salary

Master planners and materials planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Master PlannerMaterials Planner
Average salary$80,433$58,467
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $102,000Between $45,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CAOakland, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyHuntsmanApple
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between master planner and materials planner education

There are a few differences between a master planner and a materials planner in terms of educational background:

Master PlannerMaterials Planner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Master planner vs materials planner demographics

Here are the differences between master planners' and materials planners' demographics:

Master PlannerMaterials Planner
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 64.9% Female, 35.1%Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between master planner and materials planner duties and responsibilities

Master planner example 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.
  • Develop all turnaround lift plans, monitor / track subcontractor QA/QC, adherence to design/industry specifications and all safety performance.
  • Forecast DRP shipments by brand, size, source points.
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Materials planner example responsibilities.

  • Develop and implement purchasing and contract management, policies and procedures and manage ISO documents and improvements.
  • Determine material and component requirements base on the MRP system and ensure availability to support production schedules.
  • Monitor MRP forecasts, inventory, customer demand, production requirements, inventory transactions and reject material.
  • Create and maintain MRP classification codes in addition to reviewing BOM accuracy to ensure correct component identification, ordering and release.
  • Maintain and setup supplier pull systems (KANBAN).
  • Key team member in planning, training, implementation, and support of a new ERP system.
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Master planner vs materials planner skills

Common master planner skills
  • MRP, 6%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Program Management, 6%
  • On-Time Delivery, 5%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • Master Plan, 4%
Common materials planner skills
  • Supply Chain, 12%
  • MRP, 8%
  • Purchase Orders, 5%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Material Planning, 5%

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