Master Production Scheduler jobs
Factories don’t necessarily churn out their products at full speed 24/7. While this might work for consumables like breakfast cereals or such products as chemicals, where shut-downs are not desirable, it is not always appropriate. For the most part, productivity will fluctuate throughout the year or as demand drifts in and out over multi-year cycles.
The master production scheduler will be in charge of taking demand, in the form of concrete orders, seasonal expectations or forecasts, and converting it into products to the warehouse or directly to the clients’ doors in response to the demand. Needless to say, this cannot be done by turning a dial around. For every increase in productivity there will be a commensurate increase in raw materials, parts, maintenance scheduling, staffing, packaging, transportation and perhaps factory hours. While this will be a relatively well drilled and routine operation, it still needs someone to set it in motion.
Generally speaking, master production schedulers are employed to deal with short-term changes rather than strategic alterations in productivity to respond to company policy changes. It’s more of a hands-on task. There will always be problems associated with changes in throughput, and the master scheduler will need to show an aptitude at taking the bull by the horns and working through these issues to the satisfaction of the customers.
The skills required
Master production scheduling suits people who like to have a hand on the tiller of a business, and they will have a considerable amount of responsibility to make sure their decisions are correct. Overproduction can be as much of a financial drain as underproduction, particularly where perishable goods are involved. An assertive but analytical personality will therefore be essential.
Because you will be the intermediary in the supply chain process, you will be dealing with suppliers, customers and staff who all have their needs, expectations, responsibilities and abilities. You might need to engage in a little negotiation to secure services or materials at short notice or large changes to regular orders, be they up or down. You’ll therefore need great interpersonal and communications skills if you’re to do the job successfully.
Previous experience in production scheduling will clearly be an advantage too. Most employers will be looking for someone to kit the ground running in such a position.
Master Production Scheduler Jobs in Wakefield
Wakefield is a city just south of Leeds that comprises the five towns of Pontefract, Castleford, Normanton, Featherstone and Knottingley, as well as other minor towns. With a population of around 325,000, it’s a moderately sized city that is overshadowed by its northern neighbour and Sheffield, which is 20 miles (31 km) to the south. Wakefield is well connected by rail and road, with the M62 and the M1 passing by its north and west respectively.
The city and its constituent towns boomed during the Industrial Revolution when vast seams of coal were discovered beneath them. The area dug hundreds of mines and this remained the key industry in the area until the 1980s when they were closed down one by one. The last remaining one is Kellingley Colliery, located at Knottingley, just east of Pontefract.
The city remains industrial, however, although the days of heavy industry are largely gone. The city’s excellent communications and central location have made it an ideal place to site warehouses, factories and distribution centres, so Master Production Scheduler jobs regularly appear in the Wakefield area. There are also regeneration projects going on in the city designed to diversify and stimulate the economy, and this looks set to bring further growth to an area that has had to reinvent itself completely in thirty years.
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Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
Cast UK’s founder members and consultants all come from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. We are a growing force in the UK recruitment industry, mainly because these are the only sectors we deal with. Many employers often come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’re tightly focused on delivering the best people to them.
Applicants approach Cast UK for many reasons. They might be seeking more job fulfilment, they could have been made redundant or they might simply be relocating for family reasons, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide. Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the ideal position for you.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Master Production Scheduler for your business or find you a job as a Master Production Scheduler then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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