Senior production planner vs production control manager

The differences between senior production planners and production control managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior production planner and a production control manager. Additionally, a production control manager has an average salary of $89,453, which is higher than the $81,198 average annual salary of a senior production planner.

The top three skills for a senior production planner include production planning, ERP and logistics. The most important skills for a production control manager are continuous improvement, logistics, and delivery performance.

Senior production planner vs production control manager overview

	Senior Production Planner	Production Control Manager
Yearly salary	$81,198	$89,453
Hourly rate	$39.04	$43.01
Growth rate	-3%	3%
Number of jobs	67,432	92,439
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	45	48
Years of experience	2	2

What does a senior production planner do?

Senior production planners decide on items to be manufactured and their quantities based on carefully researched consumer demand forecasts. The production planners analyze data to revise staff schedules to reach the agreed quota in the manufacturing process. They find solutions for internal material concerns like quality checking and transfer issues. Also, they make sure that the products at the end of the manufacturing phase pass their quality standards.

What does a production control manager do?

A project control manager is an executive who manages, develops, and coordinates the schedules of production in the industrial environment. Production control managers make sure of the flow of parts, materials, and assemblies within or between departments. Typically, they handle the production workers. They make certain that manufacturing processes operate efficiently and reliably. Part of their responsibilities includes the estimation, negotiation, and agreement of timescales and budgets with the clients and the other managers. Among the qualifications for this job include a specialty in electrical engineering, communications, or business management.

Senior production planner vs production control manager salary

Senior production planners and production control managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Senior Production Planner	Production Control Manager
Average salary	$81,198	$89,453
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $102,000	Between $54,000 And $147,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Idaho	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Intuitive Surgical	NVIDIA
Best paying industry	Health Care	Automotive

Differences between senior production planner and production control manager education

There are a few differences between a senior production planner and a production control manager in terms of educational background:

	Senior Production Planner	Production Control Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Northwestern University

Senior production planner vs production control manager demographics

Here are the differences between senior production planners' and production control managers' demographics:

	Senior Production Planner	Production Control Manager
Average age	45	48
Gender ratio	Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1%	Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 7.2% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	8%

Differences between senior production planner and production control manager duties and responsibilities

Senior production planner example responsibilities.

Manage forecast product as required by customer needs, including VMI and KANBAN programs.
Manage cost effective inventory levels for purchase & manufacture assemblies through ERP maintenance of WIP, safety stock & lead-time settings.
Set up reverse logistics supply chain to manage customer returns enabling timely replacement or repair to customers satisfying contractual agreements.
Manage customer requirements including factory schedules/production, planning and order integrity by directing manufacturing and logistics to optimize supply chain availability.
Reconcile inventory and make sure the allocated inventory is flushed out against work orders in process (WIP).
Perform key tasks, including BOM accuracy and shipment of materials that enable successful transfer of tools to volume manufacturing.

Production control manager example responsibilities.

Manage production team to company goals through the use of KPI's.
Document department processes to achieve ISO certification.
Manage site operational support functions including scheduling, vendor certification, purchasing, materials planning, inventory management and logistics.
Contact various suppliers for monthly ECO updates, changes, price negotiations and order cancellations.
Monitor each lines plan and actual to ensure optimal line balancing, WIP control, and elimination of over production
Work with QA and production to ensure quality parts and that all ISO standards are met in compliance with the customer.

Senior production planner vs production control manager skills

Common senior production planner skills

Production Planning, 5%
ERP, 5%
Logistics, 4%
Lean Manufacturing, 4%
Capacity Constraints, 4%
Purchase Orders, 4%

Common production control manager skills

Continuous Improvement, 7%
Logistics, 6%
Delivery Performance, 5%
MRP, 5%
Lean Manufacturing, 5%
Inventory Control, 5%

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Senior Production Planner vs Production Control Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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