Senior production planner vs project scheduler

The differences between senior production planners and project 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 project scheduler. Additionally, a project scheduler has an average salary of $85,491, 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 project scheduler are project management, primavera p6, and project controls.

Senior production planner vs project scheduler overview

	Senior Production Planner	Project Scheduler
Yearly salary	$81,198	$85,491
Hourly rate	$39.04	$41.10
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	67,432	17,065
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
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 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.

Senior production planner vs project scheduler salary

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

	Senior Production Planner	Project Scheduler
Average salary	$81,198	$85,491
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $102,000	Between $61,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Idaho	California
Best paying company	Intuitive Surgical	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	Health Care	Professional

Differences between senior production planner and project scheduler education

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

	Senior Production Planner	Project Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Senior production planner vs project scheduler demographics

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

	Senior Production Planner	Project Scheduler
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1%	Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between senior production planner and project 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.

Project scheduler example responsibilities.

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.

Senior production planner vs project scheduler skills

Common senior production planner skills

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

Common project scheduler skills

Project Management, 10%
Primavera P6, 8%
Project Controls, 6%
Microsoft Project, 5%
Work Breakdown Structure, 4%
Scheduling Software, 4%

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Senior Production Planner vs Project Scheduler

Updated January 8, 2025

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