What does a Planner/Scheduler do?
The duties of a planner/scheduler depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a manufacturing setting, their responsibilities revolve around creating different schedules for projects, production, releases, contracts, and other deliverables, ensuring everyone's adherence by regular reminders and inspections. Typically, they are also responsible for devising strategies for optimizing operations, coordinating with other skilled professionals to develop controls, maintaining records of all schedules and other necessary documentation, and implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Planner/scheduler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real planner/scheduler resumes:
- Review maintenance backlog and identify work to be accomplish along with PMs and assist in establishing priorities.
- Design, implement and manage MFCY J2's USG, DOD, Interagency and IC external engagement strategy.
- Coordinate and manage high visibility and important customer BOM changes.
- Act as interface between sales/project managers, engineering, manufacturing operations, purchasing and inventory control / logistics.
- Conduct plant wide safety training per OSHA.
- Create detail WBS structures and task charge numbers assign budgets.
- Create spread sheets to track TA jobs and all material receive.
- Work with ISO organization to maintain the companies ISO 14001 and 9001 certifications.
- Assign work to various trades from electrical, mechanical, pipefitting/plumbing to HVAC.
- Support managers and other SME's in drafting of new job descriptions and requirements.
- Review and verify original BOMs, original drawings and sketch new drawings for approval.
- Utilize the planning process to assure compliance with internal & external requirements associate with OSHA.
- Provide the end product using ERP, email, phone, and frequent visits to sites.
- Maintain all schedule maintenance including PMs, special requests, and any unforeseen issues requiring maintenance.
- Generate daily/weekly schedule for in-house machine shop to follow by generating open work order reports using MP2.
Planner/scheduler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Planner/Schedulers are proficient in Customer Service, Production Schedules, and MRP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Planner/Schedulers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 9%
Conducted and facilitated over daily production meetings with company executives, Customer Service, Purchasing and Production Supervisory staff.
- Production Schedules, 5%
Reviewed records on stock status, material requirements and production schedules to determine adequacy of stock versus production requirements.
- MRP, 5%
Utilized MRP models to identify commonly used raw materials and component requirements.
- Preventive Maintenance, 4%
Coordinate work priorities with Collection System Supervisor to develop and manage preventive maintenance program to meet contractual obligations.
- CMMS, 4%
Initiated use and became master user of CMMS (ELKE-AS400) system resulting more efficient maintenance work flow at the plant.
- Logistics, 4%
Worked as Logistics Coordinator/Crew Leader after Hurricane Katrina in restoration of power to local customers in La.
Common skills that a planner/scheduler uses to do their job include "customer service," "production schedules," and "mrp." You can find details on the most important planner/scheduler responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a planner/scheduler to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what planner/schedulers do because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a planner/scheduler resume shows how planner/schedulers use communication skills: "maintained effective communication with purchasing department for material shortages and needs for upcoming orders. "
Customer-service skills. Many planner/scheduler duties rely on customer-service skills. "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints.," so a planner/scheduler will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways planner/scheduler responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "scheduled work orders, and monitored timely completion according to customer delivery dates. "
Detail oriented. planner/schedulers are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to planner/scheduler responsibilities, 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." A planner/scheduler resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "created and maintained detailed engineering schedules based on the wbs, with task definitions, dependencies and relationships. "
Math skills. A big part of what planner/schedulers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to planner/scheduler responsibilities because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical planner/scheduler tasks: "analyzed production specifications and capacity data and performs mathematical calculations to determine production processes, tools and human resource requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most planner/schedulers are:
- Targa Resources7 planner/schedulers jobs
- Benchmark Electronics5 planner/schedulers jobs
- Raytheon Technologies5 planner/schedulers jobs
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Planner/scheduler vs. Inventory coordinator
An inventory coordinator specializes in overseeing the supply flow of materials in a warehouse or similar setting. It is their responsibility to manage and handle the inventory, ensuring that the quantity and quality of materials align with company standards. Moreover, they are also responsible for assessing staff's performance, coordinating with different employees to ensure the accuracy of services, gathering and organizing data, maintaining records of transactions, and responding to any inquiries or concerns. As an inventory coordinator, it is essential to devise strategies for optimal performance, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a planner/scheduler are more likely to require skills like "preventive maintenance," "cmms," "primavera p6," and "scheduling software." On the other hand, a job as an inventory coordinator requires skills like "cleanliness," "sales floor," "physical inventory," and "shipping receiving." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Inventory coordinators really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $40,639. Comparatively, planner/schedulers tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $76,483.inventory coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than planner/schedulers. In fact, inventory coordinators are 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Planner/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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real planner/scheduler resumes. While planner/scheduler responsibilities can utilize skills like "preventive maintenance," "cmms," "primavera p6," and "scheduling software," inventory control coordinators use skills like "data entry," "inventory control procedures," "shipping receiving," and "pallets."
On average, inventory control coordinators earn a lower salary than planner/schedulers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, inventory control coordinators earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $38,327. Whereas planner/schedulers have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $76,483.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Inventory control coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than planner/schedulers. In fact, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Planner/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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a planner/scheduler is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "production schedules," "preventive maintenance," and "cmms," while a typical inventory control lead is skilled in "inventory adjustments," "physical inventory," "inventory cycle counts," and "inventory control procedures."
Inventory control leads make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $55,732. On the other hand, planner/schedulers are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $76,483.Most inventory control leads achieve a similar degree level compared to planner/schedulers. For example, they're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Planner/scheduler vs. Expeditor
The role of expeditors is to ensure the timely and efficient preparation and delivery of food. To accomplish this task, they also perform other duties, including managing inventory levels, managing supply requisition, and coordinating with subcontractors. They are also responsible for streamlining interdepartmental communication, monitoring job progress, and collaborating with project managers to collect relevant information about job status. This role requires specific skills and qualifications, including a high school diploma or an associate degree in food service, business management, and hospitality management, relevant work experience, and certifications in CCP, CPSM, or CPPB.
Types of planner/scheduler
Updated January 8, 2025
