What does a master scheduler do?
A master scheduler is in charge of overseeing and developing a company's overall production schedule, ensuring quality and workforce adherence. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs, developing daily schedules and objectives, disseminating scheduling notices, and conducting regular inspections to ensure the completion of projects in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, a master scheduler must produce progress reports and encourage workforce members to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Master scheduler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real master scheduler resumes:
- Supervise NPI chip fulfillment process - manage wafer starts to meet internal qualification and board level build plan.
- Facilitate production release of drawings, bills of materials, and QC specs.
- Coordinate the flow of machine and electronic parts through the production process including QC.
- Experience with the engineering change order (ECO) process including documentation and documentation control.
- Create BOM's, standardize part numbers, and standardize part descriptions in the MRP software.
- Develop, coordinate, and maintain CPM and EVM cost loaded schedules for various BRPH customers.
- Reduce WIP inventory by setting the production flow at the first operations and manpower requirements on down stream operations.
- Monitor finish good and WIP levels while using continual improvement activities to reduce inventory levels at all stages of production.
- Monitor schedule progress and prepare periodic reports using Primavera software.
- Participate in implementation of upgrade ERP system, overseeing scheduling as system power user.
- Develop and implement data input process to transition customer requirements into company ERP system.
- Coordinate multiple facility efforts in area of material logistics to support manufacturing in Mexico and Brazil.
- Coordinate and incorporate into the IMS any engineering design refinements or rework efforts incur during product development.
- Conduct daily reviews determining internal and external requirements of the purchase requisitions and product materials generate by MRP.
- Track metrics and generate monthly reports for key business performance indicators relating to logistics and manufacturing process execution.
Master scheduler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Master Schedulers are proficient in Customer Service, MRP, and Program Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Master Schedulers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 8%
Develop and recommend strategies to rectify current and projected customer service issues by identifying shortages as well as expediting production requirements/orders.
- MRP, 6%
Improved inventory velocity through a strategic MRP scheduling approach designed to minimize on- hand inventory while sustaining material availability.
- Program Management, 5%
Teamed with program management to ensure that resources are effectively allocated and projects are time phased efficiently.
- Continuous Improvement, 5%
Interpret and implement company policies and develop operating procedures to facilitate corporate operations, drive continuous improvement, and increase profitability.
- Microsoft Project, 4%
Implemented Microsoft Project Server, integrating all active program schedules and assisted program controls in integrating Server into Enterprise system.
- ERP, 4%
Gained additional responsibilities as Finished Goods Warehouse Manager, managing inventory at various Maytag Facilities through ERP system.
Most master schedulers use their skills in "customer service," "mrp," and "program management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential master scheduler responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a master scheduler to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Master schedulers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "acted as communication liaison with sales and marketing regarding schedule changes that affect customers regarding product, process and market trends. "
Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform master scheduler duties is customer-service skills. Master schedulers responsibilities require that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Master schedulers also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "prepared schedule related presentation materials for program management and customer reviews. "
Detail oriented. master schedulers are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to master scheduler responsibilities, 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." A master scheduler resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "provide program management with detailed schedule analysis as requested. "
Math skills. master scheduler responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This resume example shows what master schedulers do with math skills on a typical day: "analyze production specifications and perform mathematical calculations to determine manufacturing process. "
The three companies that hire the most master schedulers are:
- Peraton11 master schedulers jobs
- Booz Allen Hamilton9 master schedulers jobs
- Parker Hannifin9 master schedulers jobs
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Compare different master schedulers
Master scheduler 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, master scheduler responsibilities require skills like "program management," "continuous improvement," "microsoft project," and "primavera." Meanwhile a typical inventory control coordinator has skills in areas such as "data entry," "purchase orders," "inventory control procedures," and "shipping receiving." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Inventory control coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the transportation industry, with an average yearly salary of $38,327. On the other hand, master schedulers are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $78,633.inventory control coordinators tend to reach lower levels of education than master schedulers. In fact, inventory control coordinators are 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Master scheduler 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, master scheduler responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "program management," "continuous improvement," "microsoft project," and "primavera." Meanwhile, an inventory coordinator has duties that require skills in areas such as "cleanliness," "sales floor," "physical inventory," and "purchase orders." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, inventory coordinators earn a lower salary than master schedulers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, inventory coordinators earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $40,639. Whereas master schedulers have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $78,633.In general, inventory coordinators achieve lower levels of education than master schedulers. They're 8.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Master scheduler vs. Planning coordinator
As planning coordinators, there are certain skills that this job requires to accomplish their responsibilities. They mostly work at the non-profits and health care facilities. Working as planning coordinators, it is expected that your communication skills are good, excellent customer service skills, and detail-oriented. Moreover, as a planning coordinator, part of their job is to focus on patient care, treatment plans, and medical records. This job is complex, and it's not limited to patient care but also managing financial statements and providing good customer service throughout.
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 scheduler is likely to be skilled in "program management," "continuous improvement," "microsoft project," and "primavera," while a typical planning coordinator is skilled in "patients," "insurance benefits," "data entry," and "rehabilitation."
Planning coordinators make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $54,780. On the other hand, master schedulers are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $78,633.When it comes to education, planning coordinators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to master schedulers. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Master scheduler vs. Production planner
Production planners or schedulers are employees who take charge of the timeliness and accuracy of the production process. The planners develop production schedules which detail the tasks that need to be done to meet the set completion date. They emphasize the goods and materials necessary in the production phase. It is their job to make sure that the working space is well-maintained for optimal performance. They also manage the flow of information during production.
Types of master scheduler
Updated January 8, 2025
