What does a production control clerk do?
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.
Production control clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real production control clerk resumes:
- Manage warehouse and shipping departments, responsible for outsourcing secondary machining of materials, purchasing MRO supplies and logistics.
- Create shippers and labels, manually or electronically in EDI.
- Operate CNC Router/Engraver to produce ADA compliant signs, plaques.
- Receive and process order information from customers via e-mail and EDI.
- Assist in the setup & programming of CNC machines for production.
- Research, recommend, set up and maintain the company's new ERP system.
- Work closely with QC department to ensure finish product is within tolerance according to the blueprint.
- Assist QC with checks, paperwork update & upkeep of daily & monthly files & paperwork.
- Schedule the jobs in the ERP system and perform other miscellaneous transaction in the ERP system.
- Coordinate with multiple departments to facilitate payroll.
- Experience inputting electronic payroll labor processing programs.
- Direct and perform logistics operations to include: planning, coordinating and evaluating logistical actions require to support missions.
- Work directly with the defense logistics agency representatives to obtain the correct information and properly identify a need item.
- Enter, update, complete work orders in CMMS.
- Maintain a computer database (CMMS) for equipment that are on a calibration schedule.
Production control clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Production Control Clerks are proficient in Data Entry, Production Reports, and Customer Orders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Production Control Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Entry, 11%
Preside over supply management and data entry processing functions in support of military operations of international significance.
- Production Reports, 11%
Prepared production reports based on data complied, tabulated and computed using a prescribed format using various Microsoft programs.
- Customer Orders, 10%
Performed various production control activities including gathering and filing records, reporting on use of materials, monitoring customer orders.
- Production Sheets, 9%
Counted, weighed, and recorded number of materials and units moved or handled on daily production sheets.
- Product Specifications, 8%
Compile and record production data from product specifications, and individual worker production sheets, following prescribed recording procedures.
- Logistics, 7%
Direct and perform logistics operations to include: planning, coordinating and evaluating logistical actions required to support missions.
"data entry," "production reports," and "customer orders" are among the most common skills that production control clerks use at work. You can find even more production control clerk responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a production control clerk to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what production control clerks do because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a production control clerk resume shows how production control clerks use communication skills: "maintained the ulls-a servers and satellite communication equipment. "
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling production control clerk duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." According to a production control clerk resume, here's how production control clerks can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "research customer complaints and identify solutions extensive computer use for data entry and necessary input/adjustment of system transactions"
Detail oriented. production control clerks are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to production control clerk 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 production control clerk resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "provided detailed production reports for management review. "
Math skills. A big part of what production control clerks do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to production control clerk responsibilities because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical production control clerk tasks: "prepared the production reports for the daily, weekly and monthly reporting of statistics to pbgc. "
The three companies that hire the most production control clerks are:
- Lockheed Martin5 production control clerks jobs
- Vectrus4 production control clerks jobs
- Systems & Solutions, Inc3 production control clerks jobs
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Production control clerk vs. Expeditor
The role of expeditors is to ensure the timely and efficient preparation and delivery of food. To accomplish this task, they also perform other duties, including managing inventory levels, managing supply requisition, and coordinating with subcontractors. They are also responsible for streamlining interdepartmental communication, monitoring job progress, and collaborating with project managers to collect relevant information about job status. This role requires specific skills and qualifications, including a high school diploma or an associate degree in food service, business management, and hospitality management, relevant work experience, and certifications in CCP, CPSM, or CPPB.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a production control clerk are more likely to require skills like "data entry," "production reports," "production sheets," and "product specifications." On the other hand, a job as an expeditor requires skills like "customer service," "cleanliness," "house training," and "team work." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Expeditors tend to make the most money working in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $46,040. In contrast, production control clerks make the biggest average salary, $43,635, in the manufacturing industry.On average, expeditors reach similar levels of education than production control clerks. Expeditors are 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Production control clerk vs. Materials planner
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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that production control clerk responsibilities requires skills like "data entry," "production reports," "production sheets," and "product specifications." But a materials planner might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "supply chain," "customer service," "material planning," and "continuous improvement."
On average, materials planners earn a higher salary than production control clerks. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, materials planners earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $69,067. Whereas production control clerks have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $43,635.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Materials planners tend to reach similar levels of education than production control clerks. In fact, they're 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production control clerk vs. Planning supervisor
Planning supervisors are professionals who are responsible for coordinating the health and safety aspects of project design and the initial planning. These supervisors are required to ensure that designers cooperate and comply with their duties, especially in avoiding and reducing risks. They must prepare the health and safety plan before arrangements are made for appointing a principal contractor. Planning supervisors must also provide advice to their clients about the competence and allocation of resources by designers and all contractors.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, production control clerks are more likely to have skills like "data entry," "production reports," "production sheets," and "product specifications." But a planning supervisor is more likely to have skills like "continuous improvement," "material planning," "strong analytical," and "on-time delivery."
Planning supervisors earn the highest salary when working in the energy industry, where they receive an average salary of $88,382. Comparatively, production control clerks have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $43,635.When it comes to education, planning supervisors tend to earn higher degree levels compared to production control clerks. In fact, they're 8.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Production control clerk vs. Master scheduler
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.
Types of production control clerk
Updated January 8, 2025











