Production Scheduler jobs
The productivity of most factories and production lines is not a constant stream with a set pace. Maximum productivity is only ever an advantage when there are buyers at the end of the system or where long-term warehousing is part of the business plan. For the most part, productivity will fluctuate as demand rises and falls, with triggers that include the changing seasons, sales promotions and such like. Even a major sporting even like the World Cup can have a massive effect on the demand for certain products.
The production scheduler will be in charge of bridging the gap between demand and productivity. He or she will be in regular contact with the sales team, and possibly also with customers, to get a picture of current demand. There could also be an element of forecasting in the job, upping productivity in anticipation of demand rather than after direct purchase orders. Of course, you can’t turn up production like you can turn up a tap; it will also involve liaising with suppliers to ensure raw material and component flows are increased, and the more time they are given the better, as they will then have their own supply considerations. The staffing, warehousing, procurement and logistics elements will also need to be addressed.
Using a bland of business intelligence and concrete orders, production schedulers will be able to keep customer satisfaction high while maintaining efficiency, ensuring a reliable raw materials supply and keeping warehousing and transportation costs to a minimum.
The skills required
The production scheduler will need to be constantly in touch with the current state of play as regards prevailing productivity and stock levels of the company. Only that way can the daily and seasonal fine-tuning take place to satisfy the customers’ demands. This will require a host of skills in the production scheduler, including: communications skills to both absorb and transmit the best possible information from and to all parties; analytical skills to take a big picture approach to the schedule as well as micromanaging the individual elements; and experience in planning and scheduling would certainly be a great help.
Since most of the work will be carried out as the computer desk, previous experience of scheduling and planning solutions would be an enormous benefit, as would a good understanding of the common office solutions.
Production Scheduler Jobs in Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Production Scheduler jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
As Cast UK only deal with logistics, procurement and supply chain, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’re tightly focused on delivering the best people to them. 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 best position for you.
People approach Cast UK for many reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating with the family, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide.
We are a growing force in logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment, partly because supply chain, procurement and logistics are the only sectors we deal with. Our founder members and consultants all come from these sectors, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Production Scheduler for your business or find you a job as a Production Scheduler then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
Contact us