Lead Production Scheduler

The Lead Production Scheduler is responsible for developing and maintaining the master production schedule for a custom manufacturing environment focused on hand assembly and custom tooling . This role oversees demand planning, capacity planning, and production prioritization while balancing customer requirements, labor availability, engineering changes, and material constraints. Unlike a high-volume production line, this position supports a high-mix, low-volume operation where each build may have unique requirements, requiring frequent schedule adjustments and close coordination across departments. The Lead Production Scheduler serves as the central point of communication between Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Customer Service to ensure production priorities remain aligned with business objectives and customer commitments. Key Responsibilities Develop, maintain, and execute the master production schedule based on customer demand, labor capacity, material availability, and production priorities. Lead demand planning and capacity planning activities for a custom manufacturing environment utilizing hand assembly processes and custom tooling . Schedule work across multiple assembly cells and manufacturing resources while accounting for varying labor content, tooling availability, and engineering requirements. Manage production schedules within the ERP system, ensuring accurate planning data, work order releases, and schedule updates. Coordinate closely with Supply Chain, Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Customer Service to resolve material shortages, engineering changes, and production constraints. Continuously reprioritize production schedules in response to changing customer requirements, supply disruptions, engineering revisions, and shop floor conditions. Facilitate daily production planning meetings and communicate schedule changes to all stakeholders in a timely manner. Monitor capacity utilization, labor loading, and schedule adherence while identifying risks to customer delivery commitments. Develop recovery plans for delayed orders and recommend solutions to minimize customer impact. Analyze scheduling metrics and production performance to improve throughput, on-time delivery, and resource utilization. Support inventory optimization while maintaining customer service objectives. Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to production planning, scheduling accuracy, and ERP data integrity. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered. 5+ years of production scheduling, planning, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment. Experience scheduling high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, custom assemblies, or engineered-to-order products preferred. Strong experience using ERP/MRP systems (Epicor, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar). Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification preferred. Required Skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate frequent schedule changes across all levels of the organization. Strong organizational and prioritization skills in a dynamic manufacturing environment with constantly changing customer demands. Proven ability to balance competing priorities while making sound scheduling decisions under pressure. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. High attention to detail and data accuracy. Ability to lead cross-functional planning discussions and influence stakeholders without direct authority. Strong understanding of demand planning, capacity planning, ERP/MRP systems, and production scheduling principles. Experience supporting custom manufacturing, hand assembly operations, and non-repetitive production environments is highly preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sky Limit Systems