Master Scheduler

Master Scheduler

The Master Scheduler is the site's primary owner of production scheduling, responsible for developing and maintaining schedules that align customer demand, production capacity, and material availability. This role serves as the key liaison between production output and the supply of goods and services, ensuring efficient material flow and timely fulfillment of scheduling requirements. To maximize operational efficiency and meet customer expectations, the Master Scheduler provides leadership and direction to the scheduling and planning team, influencing daily priorities, coordinating cross-functional activities, and driving execution of production plans.

What You'll Do:

Master Production Scheduling & Planning

• Develop, maintain, and optimize the Master Production Schedule (MPS) to balance customer demand, inventory objectives, available capacity, and business priorities.
• Translate forecasted and actual customer demand into executable production plans that support service, inventory, and operational performance targets.
• Manage schedule stability while responding effectively to changing customer requirements, supply constraints, and production priorities.
• Release and manage manufacturing orders to support schedule execution and production flow.

Capacity & Resource Management

• Evaluate production capacity, labor availability, material supply, and equipment constraints to support achievable production plans.
• Identify capacity bottlenecks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize risk to customer commitments and operational performance.
• Lead scenario planning and contingency analysis to support changes in demand, capacity, supply chain conditions, or operational disruptions.
• Coordinate recovery plans related to material shortages, equipment downtime, supplier issues, and other production constraints.

ERP/MRP Planning Systems

• Maintain planning parameters within ERP/MRP systems, including lead times, lot sizes, safety stock levels, planning calendars, and capacity assumptions.
• Ensure planning data integrity and drive continuous improvement of system-generated planning outputs.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for scheduling processes, planning tools, and ERP/MRP functionality.

Performance Management & Analytics

• Monitor and drive performance against key metrics, including on-time delivery, schedule attainment, inventory turns, forecast accuracy, backlog management, capacity utilization, and production efficiency.
• Analyze demand trends, inventory positions, production performance, and forecast accuracy to identify risks, opportunities, and improvement actions.
• Prepare and communicate planning performance reports, forecasts, and operational insights to leadership teams.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with Sales, Customer Operations, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations to align production plans with customer requirements and business objectives.
• Lead production planning and scheduling meetings to communicate priorities, risks, constraints, and recovery actions.
• Facilitate decision-making by providing data-driven recommendations regarding demand, capacity, inventory, and production trade-offs.
• Train, mentor, and support planners, schedulers, and operational stakeholders on planning processes, systems, and best practices.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive initiatives that improve planning accuracy, schedule adherence, inventory performance, manufacturing throughput, and customer service levels.
• Develop and standardize planning processes, reporting tools, and scheduling best practices across the organization.
• Support strategic business goals through ongoing optimization of planning, scheduling, and supply chain processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and/or 3–5 years of experience in production and capacity planning, scheduling, or manufacturing operations.
• Purchasing/procurement experience preferred.
• APICS certification preferred.
• Previous experience of leading or influencing teams in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong MRP/ERP system knowledge (Oracle, SAP, JDE, or similar).
• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills with the ability to influence outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and adapt quickly to new systems and processes.

Skills/Competencies:

• Advanced understanding of ISO13485 standard (or equivalent), OSHA/Safety, Lean Six Sigma or Six Sigma Methodologies, PFMEA, Minitab, Oracle Configuration (or equivalent), Process/Equipment Validation, NPI (New Product Introduction), Root Cause Analysis and Solidworks
• Good Manufacturing Practices
• Designs of Experiments (DOE)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Software
• Project Management and Lean Manufacturing experience
• Excellent knowledge of statistical tools, ability to manage multiple tasks and appropriate use of Design of Experiments (DOE) when developing recommendations
• SPC (Statistical Process Control) knowledge preferred
• Must be flexible and adapt to changing environments and priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Physical Requirements:

• Perform light, non-strenuous administrative activities on a regular basis.
• Occasionally lifts up to 20 lbs. and carries up to 10 lbs.; may involve minimal bending, pushing/pulling, crawling, climbing, balancing, or standing for extended periods.
• Maintains manual dexterity to handle and manipulate small items effectively.
• Requires visual acuity to distinguish colors, assess spatial relationships, and focus on fine details (e.g., using microscopes or similar equipment).

Viant provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Viant complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.