Senior production planner vs production scheduler

The differences between senior production planners and production schedulers 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 scheduler. Additionally, a senior production planner has an average salary of $81,198, which is higher than the $49,367 average annual salary of a production scheduler.

The top three skills for a senior production planner include production planning, ERP and logistics. The most important skills for a production scheduler are customer service, MRP, and continuous improvement.

Senior production planner vs production scheduler overview

	Senior Production Planner	Production Scheduler
Yearly salary	$81,198	$49,367
Hourly rate	$39.04	$23.73
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	67,432	64,551
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	45	45
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 scheduler do?

A production scheduler is in charge of developing manufacturing schedules to achieve short and long term production goals. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to understand the extent of all procedures, identifying the needs of clients, and devising strategies for optimal operations. They must also monitor the company's resources and workforce to ensure that everything runs smoothly in adherence to all schedules, making changes only when necessary. Furthermore, as a production scheduler, it is essential to encourage the workforce to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Senior production planner vs production scheduler salary

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

	Senior Production Planner	Production Scheduler
Average salary	$81,198	$49,367
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $102,000	Between $33,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Richmond, VA
Highest paying state	Idaho	Virginia
Best paying company	Intuitive Surgical	Amphenol
Best paying industry	Health Care	Technology

Differences between senior production planner and production scheduler education

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

	Senior Production Planner	Production Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Senior production planner vs production scheduler demographics

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

	Senior Production Planner	Production Scheduler
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1%	Male, 54.3% Female, 45.7%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between senior production planner and production scheduler 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 scheduler example responsibilities.

Lead a Kaizen to improve efficiency and reduce non-value add work in the scheduling department.
Manage and purchase all MRO material inventory supplies for the production of automotive safety products.
Design, develop, and manage process of ordering and maintaining materials not migrate into ERP system.
Supervise NPI chip fulfillment process - manage wafer starts to meet internal qualification and board level build plan.
Generate prioritize schedules by manufacturing work centers base on MRP requirements, material availability, and capacity constraints.
Inventory reduction, JIT, OTD ,

Senior production planner vs production scheduler skills

Common senior production planner skills

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

Common production scheduler skills

Customer Service, 12%
MRP, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
ERP, 5%
Production Planning, 4%
Lean Manufacturing, 3%

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Senior Production Planner vs Production Scheduler

Updated January 8, 2025

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