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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Schedule Planner

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

OperationsLogisticsPlanningProject Management

🎯 Role Definition

As a Schedule Planner, you are the strategic architect of our operational timeline. You will be responsible for creating, monitoring, and maintaining the master schedule that orchestrates the intricate dance of people, resources, and tasks. This role is critical to ensuring projects are delivered on time, production targets are met, and overall business operations run with maximum efficiency. This role requires a proactive, analytical, and highly organized individual who thrives on solving complex logistical puzzles and can effectively communicate plans across all levels of the organization. Your work will directly impact our ability to meet client commitments, manage costs, and drive successful outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Scheduling Coordinator
  • Project Coordinator
  • Logistics Assistant
  • Production Clerk

Advancement To:

  • Senior Schedule Planner / Master Scheduler
  • Project Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Logistics Planner
  • Production Planner
  • Resource Manager
  • Project Controls Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, maintain, and manage comprehensive, resource-loaded master schedules for complex projects or production environments, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
  • Analyze resource availability, including labor, equipment, and materials, to create optimized and efficient schedules that prevent bottlenecks and maximize utilization.
  • Proactively identify potential scheduling conflicts, resource constraints, and critical path risks, developing and implementing effective mitigation and recovery plans.
  • Monitor schedule performance against the baseline plan, meticulously tracking progress, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) like schedule variance and on-time delivery.
  • Facilitate regular scheduling meetings with cross-functional teams to review progress, address challenges, and ensure all stakeholders are aligned on current and upcoming activities.
  • Revise and adjust schedules in real-time in response to unforeseen changes, such as material shortages, scope creep, or shifting priorities, while minimizing disruption to the overall timeline.
  • Utilize advanced scheduling software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project, ERP/MRP systems) to build, update, and perform in-depth analysis of complex schedule networks.
  • Generate and distribute a variety of schedule-related reports, including Gantt charts, critical path analyses, resource histograms, and look-ahead schedules for management and project teams.
  • Translate high-level project or production requirements into a detailed, time-phased operational plan that guides day-to-day activities and sets clear expectations.
  • Perform "what-if" scenario analysis to evaluate the potential impact of different decisions or events on project completion dates, costs, and resource needs.
  • Ensure the integrity and accuracy of all scheduling data within the company's enterprise planning systems through regular audits and data validation.
  • Develop and maintain the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in close collaboration with project managers to ensure all project scope is captured, planned, and tracked.
  • Interface directly with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors to communicate schedule expectations, coordinate timelines, and proactively resolve any scheduling discrepancies.
  • Manage and sequence work orders, production runs, or project tasks to optimize workflow, enhance efficiency, and meet critical deadlines effectively.
  • Assess the impact of engineering change notices or contract variations on the project schedule, providing detailed analysis to support informed decision-making by leadership.
  • Lead the development of ambitious yet achievable recovery schedules to bring delayed projects or production lines back on track, outlining clear action plans and responsibilities.
  • Conduct thorough critical path analysis to identify the longest sequence of tasks that dictates the project completion date, focusing management attention on the most crucial activities.
  • Prepare detailed and summary-level schedule narratives and presentations to communicate complex scheduling information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the planning and scheduling function, identifying opportunities to enhance processes, tools, and methodologies.
  • Provide essential scheduling input for bid and proposal activities, helping to create competitive and realistic project execution plans for new business opportunities.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer critical business questions related to performance and capacity.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap, particularly concerning planning and scheduling systems.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate their data and reporting needs into technical engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies within the data and operations teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High proficiency in advanced scheduling software such as Oracle Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
  • Strong experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Infor).
  • Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, macros, and data modeling for analysis and reporting.
  • Deep understanding of Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling principles and earned value management (EVM) techniques.
  • Proven ability in resource and cost loading, leveling, and forecasting to create realistic and achievable plans.
  • Expertise in developing and maintaining a detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and integrating it into the master schedule.
  • Familiarity with data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau for creating insightful dashboards on schedule performance.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a talent for dissecting complex problems and devising effective solutions.
  • Superior verbal and written communication skills, capable of articulating complex scheduling information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to a high degree of accuracy in all aspects of work.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a knack for building consensus and working effectively within cross-functional teams.
  • A proactive and forward-thinking mindset, demonstrating the ability to anticipate future challenges and opportunities.
  • Resilience and adaptability to manage constant change and unexpected disruptions with a calm, logical, and solutions-oriented approach.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and practical work experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Operations Management
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Project Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years

Preferred: 5+ years of direct experience in a scheduling, planning, or project controls role, preferably within a manufacturing, construction, energy, or technology environment. Professional certifications such as PMI-SP (Scheduling Professional), PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional), or APICS CPIM/CSCP are highly desirable.

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