Master Scheduler in Waco, Texas at VanTran Industries, Inc.

Position Summary

The Master Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing the Master Production Schedule (MPS) to ensure a feasible and efficient production plan aligned with current customer demand, available capacity, and material availability.
This role focuses on short- to mid-term schedule execution, ensuring production continuity, on-time delivery, and rapid response to changes in the manufacturing environment.
The Master Scheduler plays a critical role in balancing demand and capacity, identifying constraints, and driving proactive solutions to maintain production commitments.

Key Responsibilities

Production Scheduling & Execution

• Develop and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) based on confirmed customer orders and approved demand plans.
• Translate demand requirements into weekly and daily production schedules.
• Ensure schedules are feasible considering available labor, machine capacity, and material supply.
• Continuously adjust schedules based on:
  • Production performance
  • Material availability
  • Changes in customer priorities

Demand & Capacity Alignment

• Balance customer demand with plant capabilities to optimize throughput and delivery performance.
• Identify capacity constraints and production bottlenecks and collaborate with operations to resolve them.
• Support production leadership in planning for overtime, additional shifts, or schedule adjustments when required.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate closely with Production, Materials, Purchasing, Engineering, and Customer Service to ensure schedule alignment and execution.
• Communicate schedule priorities, changes, and risks clearly across departments.
• Support Customer Service by providing realistic order commit dates based on the current schedule.

ERP / System Management

• Maintain and execute production schedules within the ERP/MRP system.
• Ensure accuracy of planning data including:
  • Lead times
  • Routings
  • Work centers
• Monitor system signals (shortages, order releases, exceptions) to maintain schedule integrity.

Inventory & Material Coordination

• Ensure alignment between production schedules and material availability.
• Work with Purchasing and Materials teams to anticipate shortages and prevent production disruptions.
• Support inventory optimization by balancing service levels and inventory turns.

Performance Monitoring

• Track and report on execution-focused KPIs, including:
  • Schedule adherence
  • On-time delivery (OTD)
  • Production attainment
  • Short-term capacity utilization
• Identify gaps in execution and support corrective actions to improve schedule performance.

Material & Production Coordination

• Ensure material availability aligns with the production schedule.
• Partner with Purchasing and Materials teams to highlight shortages and expedite critical items.
• Monitor WIP flow to support continuous production execution

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business Administration or related field preferred.

Experience

• 5-8 years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain planning within a manufacturing environment. Desirable as Master Scheduler.
• Experience in a high mix low volume environment
• Experience in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle,etc.) required.
• Experience in electrical equipment, transformers, or heavy manufacturing is highly desirable.
• APICS, CPIM certified

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and planning skills
• Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities
• Strong understanding of MRP/MPS planning principles
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Schedule Adherence
• Revenue target
• Production Throughput
• Inventory Turns
• Capacity Utilization
• Reduction of Production Delays