Master Scheduler

Job Description

Job Description

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Position Summary

The Master Scheduler is responsible for helping build the demand and supply plans, translate demand into master production and finite schedule, partnering with procurement on materials management of raw & pack, and the management of finished goods, work in process, excess & obsolete inventory. This position is key in creating, planning and coordinating with the operations team to balance customer service levels, capacity constraints and minimize distressed product risks.

The Master Scheduler plays a key role in fostering strong collaboration with manufacturing operations, sales, and customer service teams to effectively manage inventory levels. This position leverages data-driven insights to define essential system parameters, including target and safety stock levels. Additionally, the role supports long-term planning by maintaining data visibility up to 52 weeks to aid in capacity planning for production and labor resources. A critical aspect of the role involves optimizing stock distribution across the network to enhance operational efficiency, while also accommodating base demand and pre-build business scenarios.

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Duties & Responsibilities

· Own the integrated planning process, translate long-term 52-week demand into 13-week supply plan across all lines and coordinate with Sales team to ensure inventory, production and materials targets are met

· Develop and own the execution of the S&OP process across the enterprise – coordinate with each function for data to facilitate the weekly, monthly and yearly objectives

· Assist in developing and distributing daily production schedules derived from the supply plan, ensuring alignment with product requirements, sales order fulfillment, and efficient labor utilization.

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Accounting, Sales, Procurement, Operations, R&D, and Warehousing—on new product development and implementation. Ensure raw materials are secured and available to support initial production in accordance with product specifications.

· Oversee and manage inventories of raw materials, stock transfers, work-in-process, and finished goods, maintaining clear communication with relevant teams to ensure seamless operations and high customer satisfaction.

· Support and provide direction regarding capacity availability or limitations for existing or new production.

· Coordinate the production schedule for finished goods to meet customer orders, projected demand, and inventory replenishment goals.

· Actively interact with Manufacturing, Quality, Warehousing & Transportation to solve finished goods issues & react to consumption patterns.

· Develop processes and improvements specific to line balancing, item sequencing and constraint reduction to create production efficiencies.

· Proactively identify potential material shortages based on inventory plans and develop strategic action plans to address them. Coordinate necessary resources and ensure timely follow-up on all issues related to material availability.

· Support coordination with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of raw materials in the required quantities, enabling optimal execution of plant production schedules.

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Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this role. They should not be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Team members may be required to perform duties outside of their usual responsibilities as needed.

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Qualifications

Education and Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field or equivalent work experience

· 3-5 years in a Supply Chain position within a manufacturing or distribution environment, preferably within planning/scheduling.

· 3 – 5 years of experience leading and facilitating a cross functional team.

· Experience in scheduling in a food manufacturing environment, ice cream or dairy preferred.

Skills and Competencies :

· Demonstrates strong interpersonal and team facilitation skills with a clear focus on customer satisfaction.

· Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments; excels in dynamic settings requiring adaptability and quick pivots.

· Skilled in strategic, cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and Customer Service to drive alignment and execute planning initiatives.

· Proficient in data management, analytics, and problem-solving, with a strong technical foundation. Brings excellent project management capabilities, ensuring timely and effective execution.

· Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.

· Comfortable engaging with all levels of management and fostering productive relationships.

· Works effectively in collaborative, fast-moving environments.

· Strongly process-oriented, with a continuous improvement mindset across supply chain, planning, scheduling, and materials management functions.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clearly conveying ideas and expectations.

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Physical Requirements

• Mobility: Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching and communication with teams in a factory setting.

• Manual Dexterity: Ability to use both hands for fine motor skills, such as operating a computer keyboard and mouse efficiently.

· Physical Strength: Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. May need to lift and carry light items.

• Vision: Visual acuity for reading detailed documents, viewing screens, and analyzing data. This includes close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, with or without correction.

· Communication: Ability to speak clearly and hear within the normal audio range, with or without correction, to communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders.

• Work Environment: This role primarily operates in a professional office setting with a collaborative and dynamic team. The environment is typically climate controlled. Occasional work may be required in the manufacturing or cold storage areas which will have varying temperature environments.