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 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.
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 0161 825 0825.
London
0208 185 5200Manchester
0161 825 0825Birmingham
0121 222 6444