Scheduler

Job Summary

A Scheduler is responsible for the efficient planning, scheduling, and control of all manufacturing work orders. This role is critical in translating customer requirements and forecasts into a realistic, achievable production schedule that optimizes resource utilization, minimizes downtime, and ensures on-time delivery of exhaust system components. The Scheduler must coordinate closely with Sales, Purchasing, Operations, QC, Finishing, and shipping departments to manage workflow, proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks, and maintain accurate production data in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) system.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scheduling & Planning

Develop, maintain, and adjust daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules for all work departments.

Convert customer sales orders and specifications into detailed manufacturing work orders and routes within the ERP/MRP system.

Analyze Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, and engineering drawings to accurately determine required materials, labor, and machine time for each job.

Conduct capacity planning and load leveling to ensure balanced workloads across all cells, anticipating and mitigating potential bottlenecks.

Prioritize work orders based on customer due dates, material availability, machine capacity, and production efficiency goals.

Shared Duties & Professional Development

To ensure operational resilience and foster career growth, this role involves cross-training and shared responsibilities in the following areas:

The Material Planner will learn and support expediting internal production orders (a typical Scheduler duty) while the Scheduler will assist in expediting external supplier orders (a typical Planner duty) during critical shortage events.

System Integrity: Both roles are jointly responsible for maintaining the accuracy of critical planning data within the ERP/MRP system, including Bill of Materials (BOMs), material lead times, and routing data.

S&OP Support: Both individuals will collaborate on inputs for the Sales & Operations Planning process, specifically helping to reconcile material forecasts (Planner focus) with capacity projections (Scheduler focus).

Coordination & Communication

Collaborate with the Purchasing department to confirm the timely availability of raw materials and purchased components.

Communicate production schedules and changes promptly and clearly to department supervisors to ensure universal understanding and execution.

Work with the Sales and Customer Service teams to provide accurate lead times and to promptly notify them of any potential delays or changes to customer promise dates.

Coordinate with CNC and the Maintenance department to schedule preventative maintenance (PM) and equipment repair activities to minimize disruption to the production schedule.

Act as the primary point of contact for status updates and problem resolution related to work order execution.

Monitoring & Reporting

Monitor and track production progress daily against the established schedule, using the ERP/MRP system and shop floor feedback.

Expedite critical or delayed work orders and adjust the schedule as necessary to meet delivery commitments.

Maintain accurate work order data, including start and completion dates, quantities, and status updates within the management system.

Generate and distribute performance reports on key metrics such as schedule attainment, on-time delivery, capacity utilization, and work order backlog.

Participate in production meetings to review schedules, address challenges, and plan future work.

Qualifications

Proven experience in production planning, scheduling, or a similar role within a manufacturing or fabrication environment, preferably involving metalworking and welding.

Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes.

Proficiency in utilizing ERP/MRP software systems for production planning, work order management, and inventory control.

Ability to read and interpret engineering blueprints, technical drawings, and Bills of Material (BOMs).

Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a high degree of attention to detail.

Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly advanced skills in Excel.

Work Environment

This is a working manufacturing and production facility. As such this is a hot, dusty, loud area, and there are always moving parts. Caution and attention to your surroundings need to always be at the front of your mind as safety always starts with you. 

Primarily office-based with frequent engagement across departments and production teams

Travel

May require occasional travel (<10%) for training, recruiting, or compliance functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel. The employee is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. Talk and hear to communicate with others. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Disclaimer

The above statements are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the job requirements. Rather, they are intended to describe the general nature of the job. inExhaust reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for this position. It is not all-inclusive, and the supervisor may be required to perform other duties as needed.