Production Scheduler Job
Primary location: Libertyville, Illinois. Full-time role with less than 10% travel required.
About the role
Reporting to the Buyer Supervisor, the Production Scheduler plays a crucial role in production planning and scheduling to ensure all customer demand is accurately captured, one-off product manufacturing requirements are met with efficient use of resources, and on-time delivery performance is maintained. The analyst collaborates with the Buyer Supervisor and other members of the plant team to align supply chain needs, plant schedules, and asset capacities to meet business objectives while scaling operations toward best-in-class standards.
The estimated base salary range for this role is $65,000–$75,000 per year. Individual pay is based on location, skills, expertise, experience, and other relevant factors.
Responsibilities
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Each level builds on the prior, reflecting increasing scope, complexity, independence, and impact.
- Level I – Grade 7
- Develops and maintains production schedules within Excel & Power BI.
- Monitors schedules and adjusts plans based on order priorities, material availability, and vendor inputs.
- Coordinates production activities for standard, custom, and sample orders.
- Releases jobs to the shop floor and ensures accurate system tracking.
- Communicates production status and escalates risks impacting delivery or schedule adherence.
- Supports capacity planning using established parameters and escalates constraints as needed.
- Maintains KPI reporting and updates Gemba boards to reflect current production performance.
- Collaborates with Operations to provide input for schedule.
- Level II – Grade 8
- Develops and optimizes master production schedules within Excel & Power BI.
- Analyzes demand, labor, and equipment constraints to balance production loads and meet customer commitments.
- Monitors and proactively adjusts schedules to address bottlenecks and changing priorities.
- Leads recovery scheduling efforts to minimize disruption impacts and maintain delivery performance.
- Serves as a primary point of contact for production status, delays, and forecast changes.
- Analyzes KPIs and Gemba board data to identify trends and drive root cause corrective actions.
- Collaborates with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations to provide input for schedule.
- Supports Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning effectiveness.
- Provides guidance and informal training for less experienced planners.
What’s in it for you
- Opportunity to support and optimize production schedules within Excel & Power BI.
- Ability to collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and vendors.
- Participation in Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning effectiveness.
- Opportunity to provide guidance and informal training for less experienced planners.
Qualifications
- 2- or 4-year degree in supply chain, operations management, engineering, or related technical field. Relevant experience in lieu of degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- 4+ years of work experience in a manufacturing office environment.
- 2+ years of Excel & Power BI experience preferred.
- 1+ years of SAP experience preferred.
Skills
- Complete working knowledge of all facets of MRP (Materials Requirements Planning) and the production process, with a minimal understanding of technical applications.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly MS Excel.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with other groups within the company.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to share knowledge at appropriate levels of the organization.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment to ascertain the reasonableness and accuracy of information.
- Client-driven with strong attention to detail and capable of delivering accurate, quality results in a timely, consistent, and professional manner.
- Strong people skills, including the ability to interact comfortably and respectfully with all levels of personnel.
- Capable of working independently and managing multiple priorities; must be an initiative-taker.
What makes you stand out
- Spanish language proficiency.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
- Life insurance.
- 401k match.
- Long-term disability coverage.
- Vacation and sick time.
- Personal development to grow your career based on your strengths and interests.
- A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration.
Physical demands
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Regularly required to sit for prolonged periods and perform repetitive motion of hands/wrists/fingers.
- Concentrate and repeat the same physical or mental activities over and over.
- Think analytically and be exact or highly accurate.
- Make decisions such as identifying complex problems, developing options, and implementing solutions.
- Work in a team environment.
- Maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADAAA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
- Pay attention to and remember details.
- Communicate effectively, including active listening, speaking, and writing.
- Read to understand work-related documents.
- Move between different physical locations within and between buildings.
- Push, pull, carry, and lift in the normal course of travel.
Work environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Office Environment: This position operates in a professional office environment and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. No PPE is required.
- Plant Environment: This position operates in a manufacturing setting and can be subject to:
- Extreme cold and hot temperatures.
- Uneven walking surfaces with cords, tools, and other obstacles.
- Intermittent loud noises.
- Dusty or dirty conditions.
About the company
MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries (AWI), is an Americas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications, including ceilings, specialty walls, and exterior metal solutions. With approximately $1.4 billion in revenue, AWI has about 3,700 employees and a manufacturing network of 21 facilities in North America.
For more than 160 years, AWI has built its business on trust and integrity, collaborating with and innovating for customers, shareholders, communities, and employees. The company is committed to developing new and sustainable architectural solutions that make a positive difference in spaces where people live, work, learn, heal, and play.
About the location
The Libertyville, Illinois plant is located 1 hour northwest of Chicago and 1 hour south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is also a short, 7-mile drive to beautiful Lake Michigan. Libertyville offers:
- A historic downtown shopping and dining district with nearly 100 restaurants, cafes, and pubs.
- The Dunn Museum.
- The Libertyville Sports Complex.
- Year-round events including festivals, wine tastings, community bike rides, classic car shows, and more.
Libertyville provides a hometown feel while being close to the 3rd and 31st largest cities in the U.S.