Production Planner: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

Production planners use their knowledge of supply chain and distribution management to improve the production and distribution process. A college degree and professional certification aren't necessarily required, though they may help job seekers to find employment.

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Job Description

Production planners, also known as production schedulers, managers, controllers and coordinators, are involved in the logistics of supply chain management. Most of their time is spent on business and organizational aspects of producing and distributing products. As noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for production, planning and expediting clerks were expected to grow by 2% between 2008 and 2018, which is much slower than average (www.bls.gov). Average annual earnings for these professionals were $44,070 as of May 2010, with most earning between $25,550 and $65,610 annually.

Duties

Production planners are in charge of organizing paperwork, such as purchase orders and delivery schedules review orders. Most tasks involve keeping and updating records and information, as well as coordinating purchasing with clients and co-workers. It is the job of the production planner to ensure smooth operations throughout the production and distribution life of a given product. Accordingly, duties may also include monitoring production rates and raw material prices, contacting vendors and checking inventories.

Requirements

The BLS notes that production planners don't need a college degree. O*Net OnLine confirms this and reports that only 44% of production, planning and expediting clerks held a high school diploma or its equivalent (www.onetonline.org). High schools students may consider courses in mathematics, statistics and business operations to prepare for this career.

Educational Requirements

A job search conducted in August 2011 on Monster.com indicated that some employers may prefer applicants who have completed an associate's or bachelor's degree program. Students may consider majoring in business, supply chain management or logistics among other fields. Coursework may include topics in purchasing management, transportation, operations management, international logistics and inventory management.

Work Experience and Certification

Some companies may favor job seekers who have professional experience, while others may hire applicants who have attained industry certifications, like the Advancing Productivity, Innovation and Competitive Success (APICS) Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) credential (www.apics.org). The APICS CPIM program consists of professional training and a series of exams meant not only to increase knowledge, but also showcase ability as well. Once certified, these professionals must complete 75 points of continuing education every five years. Points are awarded for attending APICS conferences and participating in other approved events.

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