Master planner vs production controller

The differences between master planners and production controllers 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 production controller. Additionally, a master planner has an average salary of $80,433, which is higher than the $53,125 average annual salary of a production controller.

The top three skills for a master planner include MRP, continuous improvement and program management. The most important skills for a production controller are production control, production planning, and logistics.

Master planner vs production controller overview

	Master Planner	Production Controller
Yearly salary	$80,433	$53,125
Hourly rate	$38.67	$25.54
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	26,869	71,747
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

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 production controller do?

A production controller is in charge of overseeing manufacturing operations, ensuring the workflow adheres to the quality standards, budgets, and deadlines. It is their duty to develop production and inventory control techniques, coordinate with managers to establish objectives and guidelines, review production plans and job orders, and supervise the supply chain operations. They also monitor every procedure, implement solutions in problem areas, and produce progress reports as needed. Furthermore, as a production controller, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with the production team while implementing the company's protocols and policies.

Master planner vs production controller salary

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

	Master Planner	Production Controller
Average salary	$80,433	$53,125
Salary range	Between $63,000 And $102,000	Between $37,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	Huntsman	Intuitive Surgical
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Technology

Differences between master planner and production controller education

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

	Master Planner	Production Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Master planner vs production controller demographics

Here are the differences between master planners' and production controllers' demographics:

	Master Planner	Production Controller
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 64.9% Female, 35.1%	Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0%
Race ratio	Black 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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between master planner and production controller 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.

Production controller example responsibilities.

Manage multiple windows to access accurate inventory, P.O numbers and job numbers.
Schedule production and manage inventory of raw materials and finish products using the MRP inventory control system.
Manage production order releases base on space, capacity, man power and indenture BOM build schemes.
Provide management with visibility of material shortages, backlogs, manage WIP variances and other potential schedule conflicts.
Manage warehouse and shipping departments, responsible for outsourcing secondary machining of materials, purchasing MRO supplies and logistics.
Flight line expediter ensures maintenance accomplishment and sortie production by managing, controlling and directing allocate resources and personnel.

Master planner vs production controller skills

Common master planner skills

MRP, 6%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Program Management, 6%
On-Time Delivery, 5%
Logistics, 5%
Master Plan, 4%

Common production controller skills

Production Control, 28%
Production Planning, 14%
Logistics, 6%
Control Procedures, 5%
Production Schedules, 3%
MRP, 3%

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Master Planner vs Production Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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