Product planner vs production scheduler

The differences between product planners and production schedulers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a product planner and a production scheduler. Additionally, a product planner has an average salary of $94,669, which is higher than the $49,367 average annual salary of a production scheduler.

The top three skills for a product planner include product development, product planning and product line. The most important skills for a production scheduler are customer service, MRP, and continuous improvement.

Product planner vs production scheduler overview

	Product Planner	Production Scheduler
Yearly salary	$94,669	$49,367
Hourly rate	$45.51	$23.73
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	85,346	64,551
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a product planner do?

Product planner positions require a battery of skills, including decisiveness, stress management, leadership, organization, communication, statistics, business operations, computer literacy, and problem-solving, to name a few. Those who choose this career will be required to involve internally-focused decisions, steps, and tasks necessary to develop a successful product.

What does a production scheduler do?

A production scheduler is in charge of developing manufacturing schedules to achieve short and long term production goals. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to understand the extent of all procedures, identifying the needs of clients, and devising strategies for optimal operations. They must also monitor the company's resources and workforce to ensure that everything runs smoothly in adherence to all schedules, making changes only when necessary. Furthermore, as a production scheduler, it is essential to encourage the workforce to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Product planner vs production scheduler salary

Product planners and production schedulers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Product Planner	Production Scheduler
Average salary	$94,669	$49,367
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $124,000	Between $33,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Richmond, VA
Highest paying state	California	Virginia
Best paying company	Apple	Amphenol
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between product planner and production scheduler education

There are a few differences between a product planner and a production scheduler in terms of educational background:

	Product Planner	Production Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Western Carolina University

Product planner vs production scheduler demographics

Here are the differences between product planners' and production schedulers' demographics:

	Product Planner	Production Scheduler
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%	Male, 54.3% Female, 45.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between product planner and production scheduler duties and responsibilities

Product planner example responsibilities.

Manage company MRP purchases including contractor and consultant contract review.
Perform financial forecasting, leveraging MRP to plan performance of products and evaluate ROI of raw materials.
Task with supervising raw materials suppliers for computer test equipment construction using several ERP systems.
Support implementation of new ERP system (MFGPRO Eb2) relate to engineering procurement systems and processes.
Set up KANBAN to assure the steady flow of parts without stock outs as well as growing inventories.
Work collaboratively with purchasing, production, engineering, quality control, BOM analysts, buyers, and suppliers.

Production scheduler example responsibilities.

Lead a Kaizen to improve efficiency and reduce non-value add work in the scheduling department.
Manage and purchase all MRO material inventory supplies for the production of automotive safety products.
Design, develop, and manage process of ordering and maintaining materials not migrate into ERP system.
Supervise NPI chip fulfillment process - manage wafer starts to meet internal qualification and board level build plan.
Generate prioritize schedules by manufacturing work centers base on MRP requirements, material availability, and capacity constraints.
Inventory reduction, JIT, OTD ,

Product planner vs production scheduler skills

Common product planner skills

Product Development, 9%
Product Planning, 7%
Product Line, 7%
Logistics, 5%
MRP, 4%
Product Management, 4%

Common production scheduler skills

Customer Service, 12%
MRP, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
ERP, 5%
Production Planning, 4%
Lean Manufacturing, 3%

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Product Planner vs Production Scheduler

Updated January 8, 2025

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