Master Production Scheduler

Merit is a leading British contractor and manufacturer, transforming construction with innovative, product-based solutions like the FLEXI POD® and UltraPOD® to deliver construction projects up to three times faster than traditional methods. Our integrated process—from design and manufacturing to building, validation, and site work—ensures seamless project delivery with minimal disruption. Operating from state-of-the-art factories in Northumberland, we use advanced digital engineering and parallel manufacturing to lower costs and meet tight deadlines. Specialising in Healthcare, Life Sciences, Semi-Conductor, and Education, we offer a fixed-cost model for complete transparency.

The Master Production Scheduler/Production Scheduler is responsible for creating and maintaining the production schedule, ensuring that manufacturing operations meet customer demands, production targets, and inventory control objectives. This role requires effective coordination between production, inventory management, procurement, design and other key stakeholders to ensure timely, efficient, and cost-effective production workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Scheduling: Develop, implement, and maintain detailed master production schedules based on forecasted demand, inventory levels, and production capacities. Ensure that production plans meet delivery targets and align with customer requirements. Adjust schedules based on production delays, supply chain disruptions, and changes in demand.
• Inventory and Resource Management: Monitor inventory levels and adjust production schedules to avoid overstocking or stockouts. Collaborate with inventory control to optimize raw material usage and finished goods inventory. Ensure the efficient allocation of resources, such as machines, labour, and raw materials, to maximize production efficiency.
• Production Planning Coordination: Work closely with procurement, supply chain, and operations teams to ensure timely material availability. Identify potential production bottlenecks and proactively address them. Balance production capacity with demand to ensure optimal throughput and minimize lead times.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyse production performance data to identify areas for improvement in scheduling, resource utilization, and process efficiency. Recommend process changes or improvements to enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity. Implement best practices in production scheduling and resource management.
• Reporting and Data Analysis: Track and report on key production metrics, such as on-time delivery, production output, and inventory turnover. Maintain accurate records of production schedules, inventory levels, and any changes made to the plan. Provide timely updates to senior management regarding production status, issues, and improvements.
• Collaboration and Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with all relevant departments, including production, procurement, logistics, and sales. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of goals and seamless operations. Communicate any changes to the production schedule to all stakeholders promptly.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure that all production scheduling activities comply with company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. Promote and enforce safety standards in the production environment.
• Team Working: Train out new processes to the wider business, present data analysis and revised strategies, promote a culture of continuous improvement and ensure team members.

Key Requirements

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
• Experience: The Master Production Scheduler will be able to demonstrate hands-on experience in the setup of a Production Schedule, data analysis and ongoing performance management/improvements from first principles in past businesses. The Master Production Scheduler will have at least 5 years’ experience in strategic/senior production scheduling and preferably across more than one business. The Production Scheduler will have 3-5 years’ experience as a Production Scheduler or part of the production team and ideally will have worked in the setup of a production system.
• Requirements for Master Production Scheduler/Production Scheduler: Experience with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, MRP (Material Requirements Planning) software, and scheduling tools. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles or other production optimization methodologies is a plus.
• Skills and Competencies: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing requirements. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration across departments. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with production scheduling software is a plus.
• Personal Attributes: Strong decision-making capabilities with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Ability to adapt to changing business needs and evolving market conditions. High level of integrity and commitment to operational excellence.
• Working Conditions: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime or weekend work based on production needs. Based in Merit Factory 2 Cramlington, Northumberland – responsible for both factory 1 and 2. May require occasional travel nationally and internationally to sites or suppliers.