What does a schedule planning manager do?
Schedule planning manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real schedule planning manager resumes:
- Manage and reduce inventory by deploying Kanban, consign and vendor-manage inventory.
- Create and implement a MRP system to purchase raw materials and packaging base on demand.
- Enhance MRP system by creating sequels for a more accurate control of inventory, and designing screen and report layouts.
- Monitor performance at third-party manufacturing sites measuring on-time and accurate order fulfillment and ensuring that all critical KPIs are meet.
- Implement raw material direct delivery Kanban process.
- Assist with implementation and troubleshooting of BAAN production scheduling system.
Schedule planning manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Schedule Planning Managers are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Production Schedules, and Microsoft Project. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Schedule Planning Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 10%
Led Continuous Improvement/LeanSigma Teams focused on Working Capital Reduction.
- Production Schedules, 8%
Collaborate with Architectural Entertainment project managers to adjust production schedules and level load work centers to meet installation deadlines.
- Microsoft Project, 8%
Use Microsoft Project to schedule the entire project and Microsoft Offices to monitor the entire project.
- Critical Path, 8%
Evaluate critical and near critical path activity sequences.
- Earned Value Management, 5%
Evaluate schedule for company commensurate to Earned Value Management practices as well as company policies applications.
- Logistics, 5%
Oversee activities relating to distribution requirements planning and coordination with Sales, Customer Service, Logistics, Procurement and Production.
Common skills that a schedule planning manager uses to do their job include "continuous improvement," "production schedules," and "microsoft project." You can find details on the most important schedule planning manager responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a schedule planning manager to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Schedule planning managers often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "communicated with sales and purchasing all critical path issues to align customer expectation to reality. "
Detail oriented. Many schedule planning manager duties rely on detail oriented. "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot.," so a schedule planning manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways schedule planning manager responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "developed resource loaded detailed schedules and wbs coding structures. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for schedule planning managers to perform their duties. For an example of how schedule planning manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a schedule planning manager: "enhanced communications, manpower, and resource planning for multi-site operation; consolidated planning functions, developing master production schedule. ".
Math skills. For certain schedule planning manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a schedule planning manager 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 schedule planning managers do: "demand planning/forecasting (quantitative, qualitative, intrinsic, extrinsic) administer/analyze/forecast vendor managed inventory (vmi) programs cycle analysis. "
The three companies that hire the most schedule planning managers are:
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Schedule planning manager 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a schedule planning manager are more likely to require skills like "continuous improvement," "production schedules," "microsoft project," and "critical path." On the other hand, a job as an inventory control lead requires skills like "inventory adjustments," "physical inventory," "inventory cycle counts," and "inventory control procedures." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Inventory control leads earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $55,732. On the other hand, schedule planning managers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $91,019.The education levels that inventory control leads earn slightly differ from schedule planning managers. In particular, inventory control leads are 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a schedule planning manager. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Schedule planning manager vs. Production control clerk
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, schedule planning manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "continuous improvement," "microsoft project," "critical path," and "earned value management." Meanwhile, a production control clerk has duties that require skills in areas such as "data entry," "production reports," "production sheets," and "product specifications." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Production control clerks may earn a lower salary than schedule planning managers, but production control clerks earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $43,635. On the other hand, schedule planning managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $91,019.In general, production control clerks achieve lower levels of education than schedule planning managers. They're 8.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Schedule planning manager vs. Production controller
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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, schedule planning managers are more likely to have skills like "continuous improvement," "microsoft project," "critical path," and "master schedule." But a production controller is more likely to have skills like "control procedures," "respirators," "electronic equipment," and "shop space."
Production controllers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $58,093. On the other hand, schedule planning managers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $91,019.Most production controllers achieve a lower degree level compared to schedule planning managers. For example, they're 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Schedule planning manager 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between schedule planning managers and inventory control coordinators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a schedule planning manager might have more use for skills like "continuous improvement," "microsoft project," "critical path," and "earned value management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of inventory control coordinators require skills like "data entry," "purchase orders," "inventory control procedures," and "shipping receiving. "
In general, inventory control coordinators earn the most working in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $38,327. The highest-paying industry for a schedule planning manager is the technology industry.inventory control coordinators reach lower levels of education compared to schedule planning managers, in general. The difference is that they're 6.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of schedule planning manager
Updated January 8, 2025











