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Production control specialist vs production controller

The differences between production control specialists 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 production control specialist and a production controller. Additionally, a production control specialist has an average salary of $60,387, which is higher than the $53,125 average annual salary of a production controller.

The top three skills for a production control specialist include production control, MRP and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a production controller are production control, production planning, and logistics.

Production control specialist vs production controller overview

Production Control SpecialistProduction Controller
Yearly salary$60,387$53,125
Hourly rate$29.03$25.54
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs89,32071,747
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a production control specialist do?

In manufacturing facilities, a production control specialist is in charge of overseeing and coordinating production activities to ensure everything runs efficiently and smoothly from planning to completion. Their responsibilities include understanding the projects' needs, performing research and analysis, setting goals and daily objectives, establishing timelines and guidelines, reviewing documents and plans, conducting risk assessments, and resolving scheduling conflicts should any arise. Moreover, a production control specialist must monitor the daily workflow and assist customers with their orders when necessary.

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.

Production control specialist vs production controller salary

Production control specialists and production controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production Control SpecialistProduction Controller
Average salary$60,387$53,125
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $84,000Between $37,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityChesapeake, VAFremont, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companySQAIntuitive Surgical
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between production control specialist and production controller education

There are a few differences between a production control specialist and a production controller in terms of educational background:

Production Control SpecialistProduction Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Production control specialist vs production controller demographics

Here are the differences between production control specialists' and production controllers' demographics:

Production Control SpecialistProduction Controller
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 61.1% Female, 38.9%Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.5% 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between production control specialist and production controller duties and responsibilities

Production control specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage kanban implementation and accuracy.
  • Operate in multiple shop floor and MRP relate systems to ensure alignment between material position and production capability/schedule.
  • Provide detailed WIP status reports for customer calls by program management.
  • Monitor orders in WIP, replace rejected materials, and facilitate production holds.
  • Design and successfully implement ERP software.
  • Plan inventory levels base on dependent and independent BOM requirements.
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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.
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Production control specialist vs production controller skills

Common production control specialist skills
  • Production Control, 13%
  • MRP, 8%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 7%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • Inventory Control, 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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