Master Scheduler - Plants 1/3 - Whitehall, MI

Job Description

Job Description

The Master Scheduler is responsible for creating and maintaining a valid master schedule for material and capacities by effectively balancing supply and demand for product. A valid master schedule is aligned with the operating plan resulting from Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and is the basis for detailed manufacturing schedules, which are executable on the shop floor, level loaded, and optimize capacity utilization and inventory. 

Job Roles:  

• Anticipation and forecasting --understands operation, maintenance and production rhythms; reviews customer demand and schedules work accordingly; interacts with suppliers and ensures raw material availability
• Measurement oriented --ensures schedule attainment, throughput, revenue, finished goods, etc.; tracks and plans accordingly; able to adjust as needed; “data strong”--lets data create a picture to aid decision-making
• Relationship and communication --interacts with a wide variety of stakeholders; facilitates communication and information exchange between stakeholders; creates understanding and synergies within the plant; galvanizes efforts to ensure goals are achieved
• Organization and structure --detail and follow through oriented; provides and inputs accurate information; coordinates across shifts and multiple materials and parts; adjusts “behind the scenes” without causing visible disruption to customers; advocates for adherence to systems
• Systems thinker --understands how departments interact with one another; sees cause and effect relationships; balances interests and needs of one area with others, ultimately contributing to collective success
• Ownership --tracks down information, people, requirements, or other necessary elements to ensure smooth operation with quality and speed; enables the success of others; advances a “win together” perspective and culture; driven
• Balanced attention --spends time in areas of greatest impact; manages suppliers, internal capabilities and external demand; negotiates needs and desires of stakeholders and communicates the “why” behind decisions; pushes for longer term view; constantly coordinating
• Influence --persuades without direct reporting authority; makes a strong business case; presents evidence logically; broadens perspective of others; gains commitment from internal and external stakeholders
• Solution seeker --gathers information and feedback to provide solutions and direction, not merely “information for information’s sake”; understands problems and potential problem areas and architects in collaboration with others to preempt or avoid where possible

Responsibilities:

• Developing, implementing, and improving on master scheduling processes, tools, and systems in collaboration with the supply chain team and the plant organization is a key element of this role. 
• The Master Scheduler analyzes demand and supply at the item, customer, and master schedule levels, determines out-of-balance conditions, identifies alternatives and recommends actions for approval. Works with sales, planning, and manufacturing to better understand competitive lead times for master scheduled items, seek ways to reduce internal lead times as well as lead times to the customer. 
• Conduct rough-cut capacity planning prior to publishing a master schedule in which significant changes have occurred. Summarize daily and weekly master schedules for released orders and compare these to the operating plan to ensure that the master schedule is aligned with S&OP commitments. Work within policy guidelines pertaining to master scheduling. Observe and follow all stated master scheduling procedures. 
• Act as internal educator and consultant on master scheduling issues, providing education and training throughout the company to improve company-wide understanding of master scheduling functions. 
• Identify, negotiate, and resolve conflicts with respect to material and capacity availability and order-promising integrity. Inform management when demand cannot be met and recommend alternatives on how the requested demand could be satisfied. 
• Create a master schedule that satisfies customer demand while leveling work being released to manufacturing and optimizing inventory levels and resource utilization. 
• Create a master schedule that can be used for detailed material/capacity planning as well as financial planning. Establish a working relationship with all company functions. 
• Actively participate in Sales & Operations Planning. Working with planning and sales to help set priorities when demand is greater than capacity. Run rough cut capacity planning monthly. Maintain a master schedule following the company policy of permitting no master schedule item to have a release date prior to current date (no past dues at the master schedule level). 
• May maintain scheduling parameters, such as lead times, lot sizes, cycle times. Liaise with engineering to ensure appropriate labor, machine, and are used in master scheduling. 
• Own the site's integrated Master Production Schedule (MPS), balancing customer demand, capacity, inventory, and operational constraints. Support annual operating plans and strategic forecasting by providing long-range capacity and demand analyses.
• Lead the monthly SIOP process, facilitating cross-functional reviews and driving consensus on demand, supply, inventory, and capacity plans. Facilitate executive SIOP meetings by presenting key risks, opportunities, capacity constraints, and recommended business decisions.
• Develop and maintain rolling production schedules (16–52 weeks) that align with customer commitments, strategic priorities, and plant capabilities.
• Optimize inventory levels of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods while supporting customer service and working capital objectives.
• Lead scenario planning and "what-if" analyses to support business decisions involving demand fluctuations, capital investments, staffing, and customer priorities.
• Monitor key planning KPIs including On-Time Delivery (OTD), Schedule Adherence, Forecast Accuracy, Capacity Utilization, Inventory Turns, Backlog Health, and Past Due Orders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce lead time, improve throughput, increase schedule stability, and enhance planning accuracy.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution
• APICS CPIM Certification; alternatively, achieving certification within one year of assuming the position will be required
• 3 years of experience in roles of progressively increasing responsibilities in production planning in a manufacturing environment
• Previous experience in master scheduling/capacity planning
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leader with superior analytical skills, exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative and matrixed team environment
• Fluency and proficiency in the practical application of MRP logic, scheduling log, order policies, capacity planning, input/output control, product structures, routing, and standards maintenance
• Knowledge in master scheduling, demand management, stockroom, purchasing, design cell, and cost accounting techniques
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex materials issues within the company
• Highly skilled in data analysis, manipulation, and presentation, including software skills with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, and Access
• Strong understanding of the business systems and processes used in support of the above functions
• Previous experience implementing Master Scheduling in a large plant preferred
• Experience with lean manufacturing
• Knowledge of Company markets, customers, product lines and mfg. facilities preferred
• Information systems, order management, and inventory planning
• Knowledge of Oracle

Howmet Aerospace, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The Company’s primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems and titanium structural parts necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications, as well as forged wheels for commercial transportation. Howmet Aerospace is transforming the next phase of more fuel-efficient, quieter aerospace engines and sustainable ground transportation. For more information, visit