ROLE PURPOSE
The Master Scheduling function leads the integrated planning and scheduling backbone of the Injection Molding Machine manufacturing business. This role ensures synchronization across Material Planning, Production Planning & Control, Inbound/Outbound Logistics, Stores, and SIOP, driving operational efficiency, cost optimization, and customer delivery performance.
The position institutionalizes demand-supply balancing, ERP/MRP discipline, and logistics governance, converting business forecasts into executable production schedules and supply chain flows across geographies. The function serves as a primary point of contact for and liaison with sales, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership and Policy
- Design standard operating procedures, best practices, and frameworks for the entire scheduling department.
- Align long-term operational goals with business objectives and financial targets.
- Lead, mentors, and evaluate a team of schedulers, planners, and coordinators.
Master Production Schedule (MPS) Oversight
- Directs the creation and maintenance of the high-level Master Production Schedule (MPS) over medium-to-long-range horizons.
- Balance demand and capacity. Evaluate the sales forecasts against facility, labour, and machine capacity to ensure realistic output.
- Risk management: Identify supply chain bottlenecks or resource shortages and run what-if scenarios to resolve conflicts
Material Planning
- Own material requirement planning aligned with production schedules.
- Implement and operate lean practices like VMI, JIT, ROP and Kanban to maintain optimal stock.
- Ensure timely procurement and availability of raw materials, components, and consumables. Provide rolling forecast to suppliers.
- Collaborate with supply chain team for import/export compliance and lead-time optimization.
- Decide and update safety stocks, Long lead time parts and Inventory control.
Production Planning & Control
- Develop master production schedules balancing demand, capacity, and inventory.
- Collaborate with design engineering, & supply chain team for ensuring sales delivery timeline.
- Monitor shop floor execution, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure adherence to timelines.
- Implement lean practices to minimize WIP and optimize throughput.
SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning)
- Lead monthly SIOP reviews aligning demand forecast, production capacity, and inventory targets.
- Partner with Sales, Manufacturing, Supply chain and Finance to balance customer commitments with operational realities.
- Provide executive dashboards and scenario planning for leadership decision-making.
Inbound & Outbound Logistics
- Manage inbound logistics for raw materials and components, including import coordination.
- Oversee outbound logistics for finished goods, ensuring timely dispatch and export documentation.
- Negotiate with logistics partners to optimize cost and service levels.
Stores Management
- Drive transformation projects of stores activities i.e. Receipts, Location management, Warehousing and Material movement etc.
- Oversee RM, FG, and consumables stores with robust inventory control.
- Implement digital systems for traceability, cycle counting, and stock accuracy.
- Drive safety and compliance in warehouse operations.
Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead and develop a team of professionals across planning, scheduling, logistics, and stores.
- Build capability through training, mentoring, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
KEY SKILL REQUIREMENTS:-
Technical & Operational - Master scheduling expertise ERP/MRP systems Import/export regulations Logistics optimization
Analytics & Planning - Demand-supply balancing Capacity planning Inventory modelling KPI dashboards Advanced Excel / Power BI proficiency
Interpersonal & Leadership - Cross-functional leadership Stakeholder management Team development Collaboration across Sales, Design Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing & Finance
Behavioral - Process-driven Execution-focused Strong ownership mindset Decisive Continuous improvement orientation
EXPERIENCE PROFILE
- 15+ years of total experience, with 10-12 years experience in developing and maintaining a Master Production Schedule within a manufacturing environment, preferably in capital equipment or machine industry.
- Hands‑on expertise in production planning, logistics, and SIOP.
- ERP/MRP system proficiency (JD Edwards, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent).
- Proven track record of leading large teams and delivering operational excellence.
EDUCATION
- Graduate/Postgraduate in Engineering (Mechanical / Production / Plastics preferred)
- Masters in business administration (MBA) strongly preferred