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 controller responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real production controller resumes:
- 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.
- Serve as an expediter to communicate routings on shop floor.
- Work with MRP computer system (JD Edwards) to track inventory, orders and shipments.
- Work and run label machine when need.
- Coordinate material movement and operations throughout a CNC shop.
- Maintain all personnel files and information relate to payroll and drug screening report.
- Spearhead the set up and development of a new ERP system and train all employees.
- Maintain FAA accountability, tracking of all paperwork and the completion status of the aircraft.
- Operate cameras, cue and run tapes for live news broadcasts on NBC affiliate stations.
- Write, edit and test new policies and procedures of company with ERP system in plant.
Production controller skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Production Controllers are proficient in Production Control, Production Planning, and Logistics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Production Controllers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Production Control, 28%
Assisted in determining the validity, accuracy, and completeness of data/information reflected on the mechanized production control report.
- Production Planning, 14%
Collaborate with Demand Planning Manager and Director of Production Planning to ensure that inventories are optimized.
- Logistics, 6%
Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer's personnel and involved in or directly relevant to a logistics activity.
- Control Procedures, 5%
Analyzed repair methods and developed control procedures to meet priorities by anticipating problems before issues arose.
- Production Schedules, 3%
Maintained production schedule for material requirements for the manufacture of government and industrial micro and macro electronics.
- MRP, 3%
Inventory Control Skills Used Communication Analysis Efficient MRP Management Customer Focused Able to Prioritize
"production control," "production planning," and "logistics" are among the most common skills that production controllers use at work. You can find even more production controller responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a production controller to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what production controllers 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 controller resume shows how production controllers use communication skills: "controlled all maintenance and computer systems for maintenance department served as communication link from maintenance and supply to the squadrons. "
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling production controller 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 controller resume, here's how production controllers can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "scheduled customer's orders for production in accordance to availability of time, delivery dates and materials. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for production controllers to perform their duties. For an example of how production controller responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a production controller: "maintain detailed files and efficiently perform data entry and maintenance. ".
Math skills. For certain production controller responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a production controller rely on this skill, as "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what production controllers do: "prepared/maintained production reports, statistics, graphs, and general correspondence on a bi-weekly basis. "
The three companies that hire the most production controllers are:
- Northrop Grumman11 production controllers jobs
- Cirrus Aircraft5 production controllers jobs
- AAR4 production controllers jobs
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Compare different production controllers
Production controller 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 controller are more likely to require skills like "production planning," "control procedures," "respirators," and "electronic equipment." 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 earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $46,040. On the other hand, production controllers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $58,093.The education levels that expeditors earn slightly differ from production controllers. In particular, expeditors are 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a production controller. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production controller 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real production controller resumes. While production controller responsibilities can utilize skills like "control procedures," "respirators," "electronic equipment," and "shop space," materials planners use skills like "supply chain," "purchase orders," "customer service," and "material planning."
On average, materials planners earn a higher salary than production controllers. 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 controllers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $58,093.In general, materials planners achieve similar levels of education than production controllers. They're 2.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production controller 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a production controller is likely to be skilled in "control procedures," "respirators," "production schedules," and "electronic equipment," while a typical planning supervisor is skilled in "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 controllers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $58,093.When it comes to education, planning supervisors tend to earn higher degree levels compared to production controllers. In fact, they're 6.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Production controller vs. Maintenance clerk
A maintenance clerk typically works in an organization's maintenance department. As a maintenance clerk, your duties will include overseeing maintenance information, ensuring the department's smooth operation, and generating computer reports. Additionally, you will be responsible for maintaining and managing inventory records and answering telephone calls. Other duties that you will likely perform include preparing written and correspondence materials for personnel, providing or coordinating the response to personnel and customer inquiries, and tracking equipment for maintenance.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between production controllers and maintenance clerks, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a production controller might have more use for skills like "production control," "production planning," "control procedures," and "respirators." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of maintenance clerks require skills like "customer service," "cleanliness," "sales floor," and "preventive maintenance. "
Maintenance clerks enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $38,812. For comparison, production controllers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.In general, maintenance clerks hold similar degree levels compared to production controllers. Maintenance clerks are 1.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of production controller
Updated January 8, 2025
