What does a project scheduler do?
A project scheduler is responsible for organizing and managing project schedules, including meetings, appointments, and other related activities involved in the operational production. Project schedulers coordinate with clients and business partners to inform them of the schedule, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and take note of their availability, especially on cancellations and reschedules. They also perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed, such as writing meeting reports, updating clients' information on the database, operating the scheduling management system software, and evaluating progress reports and project deadlines.
Project scheduler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real project scheduler resumes:
- Manage WIP at outside vendors to ensure the timely completion of orders and desire priorities are achieve.
- Manage multiple fee pools (CPFF, CPAF, and CPIF).
- Deliver assets and manage QA segment for creative team
- Make purchase requisitions in MAXIMO program, inventory, accounts payable and manage budget.
- Manage daily ERP requirements for work order release to the manufacturing floor to ensure on-time delivery.
- Manage logistics activities with suppliers and carry out plans to gather, box and ship material for overseas projects.
- Publish meeting minutes in SharePoint.
- Use both P6 & Prometheus scheduling software.
- Assist with updates to SharePoint Intranet site for the department.
- Provide AutoCAD mapping of campus fiber optic cables & pathways.
- Monitor bi-weekly performance to EV (earn value) milestones.
- Work with clients to review the IMS and have weekly status meetings.
- Develop complex IPT program schedules from start up phase to program execution.
- Produce monthly CPR and CDRL supplementals reflecting performance in comparison to plan.
- Create and maintain program schedules for various NASA and U.S. military programs.
Project scheduler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Project Schedulers are proficient in Project Management, Primavera P6, and Project Controls. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Project Schedulers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 10%
Developed and maintained schedules for commercial projects in Microsoft Project and tracked progress while reporting to project management.
- Primavera P6, 8%
Prepared schedules for the design and development of software safety systems on nuclear reactors, using PRIMAVERA P6.2 scheduling software system.
- Project Controls, 6%
Keep Project Control Manager or Lead Planner/Scheduler advised of potential problem areas.
- Microsoft Project, 5%
Generated resource usage reports from Microsoft Project schedules utilizing visual basic for application scripts.
- Work Breakdown Structure, 4%
Prepare and manage overall master schedule integrating work breakdown structure using scheduling software.
- Scheduling Software, 4%
Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting for scheduling software and technological problems.
Most project schedulers use their skills in "project management," "primavera p6," and "project controls" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential project scheduler responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a project scheduler to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role 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." Additionally, a project scheduler resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "maintain and finalize detailed online and outage work schedules including assisting with critical path scheduling. "
Math skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling project scheduler duties is math skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." According to a project scheduler resume, here's how project schedulers can utilize math skills in their job responsibilities: "project planning using primavera p6 and perform quantitative assessment of the schedule risk. "
Customer-service skills. project schedulers are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to project scheduler responsibilities, because "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." A project scheduler resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "send the project baseline and monthly status report in xer format to customer provides forward looking schedule analysis to managers. "
Communication skills. For certain project scheduler responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a project scheduler rely on this skill, as "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what project schedulers do: "determined and analyzed critical path activities in primavera for identification and communication of potential delay impacts to stakeholders. "
The three companies that hire the most project schedulers are:
- CDM Smith285 project schedulers jobs
- Leidos22 project schedulers jobs
- The Walsh Group18 project schedulers jobs
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Compare different project schedulers
Project scheduler vs. Material coordinator
A material coordinator is in charge of processing requisitions and ensuring that all departments receive necessary goods and materials within a company. Aside from this, they must maintain positive engagements with vendors, suppliers, and business partners, negotiate contracts, manage schedules of deliveries, and prioritize cost-efficient goods. It is also a material coordinator's responsibility to keep an accurate record of inventory, secure sensitive data, and coordinate with all departments to ensure that all transactions are efficient and precise.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a project scheduler are more likely to require skills like "project management," "primavera p6," "project controls," and "microsoft project." On the other hand, a job as a material coordinator requires skills like "logistics," "customer service," "purchase orders," and "inventory control." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Material coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $41,571. On the other hand, project schedulers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $87,182.material coordinators tend to reach lower levels of education than project schedulers. In fact, material coordinators are 8.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Project scheduler vs. Inventory control coordinator
An inventory control coordinator is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of office inventory to ensure that the company has enough supplies to support the employees' needs for business operations. Inventory control coordinators manage supply chain systems, conduct inventory checks regularly, write inventory reports, create purchase requests, and file inventory documents on the database. They must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in analyzing the chain processes, and strictly adhere to the company's internal guidelines and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that project scheduler responsibilities requires skills like "project management," "primavera p6," "project controls," and "microsoft project." But an inventory control coordinator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "logistics," "data entry," and "purchase orders."
Inventory control coordinators earn a lower average salary than project schedulers. But inventory control coordinators earn the highest pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $38,327. Additionally, project schedulers earn the highest salaries in the professional with average pay of $87,182 annually.inventory control coordinators earn lower levels of education than project schedulers in general. They're 9.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Project scheduler 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, project schedulers are more likely to have skills like "project management," "primavera p6," "project controls," and "microsoft project." But a materials planner is more likely to have skills like "supply chain," "mrp," "purchase orders," and "logistics."
Materials planners make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $69,067. On the other hand, project schedulers are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $87,182.When it comes to education, materials planners tend to earn lower degree levels compared to project schedulers. In fact, they're 5.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Project scheduler vs. Inventory control lead
An Inventory Control Lead oversees supplies in an organization, aiming to meet market demands and avoid oversupply. They perform regular inspections and assessments, review invoices and other documentation, monitor product distribution operations, and produce regular progress reports. It is their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolve them promptly, and efficiently maintain smooth workflow operations. Moreover, an Inventory Control Lead manages different teams, encouraging them to reach goals while implementing company policies and guidelines.
Types of project scheduler
Updated January 8, 2025
