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.
Master planner responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real master planner resumes:
- 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.
- Create weekly finish goods build plans (weekly MPS) and generate replenishment signal to suppliers.
- Work with engineering, purchasing and vendors to set up buy strategies for additional order quantities through the MPS.
- Execute the building of EPC schedule and maintaining of projects activities.
- Create replenishment loads (purchase or DRP) that are optimized to minimize logistical costs.
- Control the master EPC project schedule and are responsible for updating it on a weekly basis.
- Develop and maintain SharePoint sites, including project artifact repository and project communications.
- Reduce inventory on-hand by developing a JIT system with corrugate suppliers that utilize drop trailers.
Master planner skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Master Planners are proficient in MRP, Continuous Improvement, and Program Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Master Planners that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- MRP, 6%
Developed and implemented an integrated Excel solution to supplant a failed MRP implementation.
- Continuous Improvement, 6%
Identified, led, and where appropriate executed materials organization, scheduling, manufacturing and supply chain related continuous improvement activities.
- Program Management, 6%
Create and document best practices for the Program Management Office regarding the Project Development Lifecycle and Integrated Master Schedule techniques.
- On-Time Delivery, 5%
Established and developed supplier relationships to ensure on-time delivery of quality materials at the best competitive pricing.
- Logistics, 5%
Facilitate communication between Regional/Plant/External Planning groups, Logistics team and Quality Assurance regarding upcoming production schedules and pending batch releases.
- Master Plan, 4%
Position was expanded to include the additional duties of Buyer to Master Planning responsibilities for commodity components to support manufacturing.
Common skills that a master planner uses to do their job include "mrp," "continuous improvement," and "program management." You can find details on the most important master planner responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a master planner to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what master planners do because "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Additionally, a master planner resume shows how master planners use customer-service skills: "lead the production planning group to create feasible plans and comply with customer commitments. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling master planner duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." According to a master planner resume, here's how master planners can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "provide customer service with details and physical specifications of new parts. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of master planners is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday master planner duties, as "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "organized all statistics generated by production planning and control functions and activities. "
Communication skills. A big part of what master planners do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to master planner responsibilities because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical master planner tasks: "maintained quality and continuously improved customer service through excellent communication. "
The three companies that hire the most master planners are:
- Jabil12 master planners jobs
- INFICON9 master planners jobs
- A-dec4 master planners jobs
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Compare different master planners
Master planner vs. Inventory control lead
An Inventory Control Lead oversees supplies in an organization, aiming to meet market demands and avoid oversupply. They perform regular inspections and assessments, review invoices and other documentation, monitor product distribution operations, and produce regular progress reports. It is their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolve them promptly, and efficiently maintain smooth workflow operations. Moreover, an Inventory Control Lead manages different teams, encouraging them to reach goals while implementing company policies and guidelines.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, master planner responsibilities require skills like "continuous improvement," "program management," "on-time delivery," and "master plan." Meanwhile a typical inventory control lead has skills in areas such as "inventory adjustments," "physical inventory," "inventory cycle counts," and "inventory control procedures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Inventory control leads earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $55,732. On the other hand, master planners are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $78,330.The education levels that inventory control leads earn slightly differ from master planners. In particular, inventory control leads are 9.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a master planner. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Master planner vs. Inventory control coordinator
An inventory control coordinator is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of office inventory to ensure that the company has enough supplies to support the employees' needs for business operations. Inventory control coordinators manage supply chain systems, conduct inventory checks regularly, write inventory reports, create purchase requests, and file inventory documents on the database. They must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in analyzing the chain processes, and strictly adhere to the company's internal guidelines and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real master planner resumes. While master planner responsibilities can utilize skills like "continuous improvement," "program management," "on-time delivery," and "master plan," inventory control coordinators use skills like "data entry," "purchase orders," "inventory control procedures," and "shipping receiving."
On average, inventory control coordinators earn a lower salary than master planners. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, inventory control coordinators earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $38,327. Whereas master planners have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $78,330.In general, inventory control coordinators achieve lower levels of education than master planners. They're 10.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Master planner vs. Production control clerk
Production control clerks will need to possess skills in data, entry, drafting customer supports and orders, dealing with production workers, and handling material inventory records. Also, clerical skills are a plus. This career calls for the reviewing and distribution of production work and shipment schedules, conferring with department supervisors on work progress and dates of completion, as well as the compilation of work progress reports, inventory levels, costs, and any issues in production.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a master planner is likely to be skilled in "continuous improvement," "program management," "on-time delivery," and "master plan," while a typical production control clerk is skilled in "data entry," "production reports," "production sheets," and "product specifications."
Production control clerks earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $43,635. Master planners earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $78,330.When it comes to education, production control clerks tend to earn lower degree levels compared to master planners. In fact, they're 12.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Master planner vs. Inventory coordinator
An inventory coordinator specializes in overseeing the supply flow of materials in a warehouse or similar setting. It is their responsibility to manage and handle the inventory, ensuring that the quantity and quality of materials align with company standards. Moreover, they are also responsible for assessing staff's performance, coordinating with different employees to ensure the accuracy of services, gathering and organizing data, maintaining records of transactions, and responding to any inquiries or concerns. As an inventory coordinator, it is essential to devise strategies for optimal performance, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Types of master planner
Updated January 8, 2025
