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What is a production scheduler/planner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

In very simple terms, the job of a production scheduler/planner is to ensure that production deadlines are met. This is done by developing daily, weekly or monthly schedules. However, this is not all they do. They also have to oversee all production operations, handle complaints efficiently and prepare regular production progress reports.

You will also be required to ensure that all company policies and guidelines are upheld in the production process. It is also expected that you coordinate the efforts of all workers and engage all resources to ensure an efficient and effective workflow. You must be on your toes seeking to improve company processes and meeting your company expectations.

The most commonly required educational qualification is a bachelor's degree in any related field. Highly rated skills include customer service skills, excellent communication skills, MRP, production, and planning. The mean annual salary of a production scheduler is $67,141 at the rate of $32.28 per hour.

ScoreProduction Scheduler/PlannerUS Average
Salary
4.7

Avg. Salary $60,287

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.8

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.53%

Asian 7.03%

Black or African American 10.27%

Hispanic or Latino 16.92%

Unknown 4.95%

White 60.30%

Gender

female 42.06%

male 57.94%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
7.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Production scheduler/planner career paths

Key steps to become a production scheduler/planner

  1. Explore production scheduler/planner education requirements

    Most common production scheduler/planner degrees

    Bachelor's

    57.0 %

    Associate

    23.2 %

    High School Diploma

    9.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific production scheduler/planner skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Master Production Schedule7.81%
    MRP7.37%
    Material Availability5.37%
    Production Planning5.24%
    Inventory Control4.90%
  3. Complete relevant production scheduler/planner training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New production scheduler/planners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a production scheduler/planner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real production scheduler/planner resumes.
  4. Research production scheduler/planner duties and responsibilities

    • Manage ECO activities for various product lines.
    • Provide daily reports to manage and track customer requirements and provide updates to managers, operations, warehouse and logistics.
    • Manage and maintain inventory levels to the company goals at the raw, sub-assembly, WIP and finish good levels.
    • Utilize EDI communications to manage customer requirements and shipment coordination.
  5. Prepare your production scheduler/planner resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your production scheduler/planner resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a production scheduler/planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable production scheduler/planner resume templates

    Build a professional production scheduler/planner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your production scheduler/planner resume.
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
    Production Scheduler/Planner Resume
  6. Apply for production scheduler/planner jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a production scheduler/planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first production scheduler/planner job

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Average production scheduler/planner salary

The average production scheduler/planner salary in the United States is $60,287 per year or $29 per hour. Production scheduler/planner salaries range between $42,000 and $85,000 per year.

Average production scheduler/planner salary
$60,287 Yearly
$28.98 hourly

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How do production scheduler/planners rate their job?

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Production scheduler/planner reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Because you will know able equipment and know the planning produce,system like SAP or A/N, PO, PR and SES PROCESS

Cons

Are love the short and long time plant, it make you know so many process in that. thanks


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Cons

Whirlwind or fire working and overlapping responsibilities


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

KEEPING THE INVENTORY AND COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE

Cons

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT YET. BUT I WOULD LIKE MORE MONEY,


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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