Production Scheduler

Nekoosa; Nekoosa (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Nekoosa is seeking a Production Scheduler to lead site-level production planning, material flow, and inventory execution to ensure on-time customer fulfillment and strong service performance.

The role partners with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, and Commercial teams to align plans with demand, optimize inventory, and drive continuous improvement in planning and fulfillment.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or related field, or equivalent experience and/or certifications.
• 3+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or materials management within a manufacturing environment.
• Solid understanding of production planning principles, including MRP, capacity planning, inventory control, and demand alignment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience using ERP/MRP systems (D365 preferred; SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and advanced Microsoft Excel/data analysis.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities while delivering accurate and timely production schedules.
• Strategic thinking with results-driven execution
• Strong communication and leadership
• Data-driven decision-making and performance management
• Continuous improvement and operational excellence mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead site-level production planning, material flow, and inventory execution to ensure customer fulfillment and high service performance.
• Partner with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, and Commercial teams to align production plans with customer demand, optimize inventory, and drive continuous improvement across planning and fulfillment processes.
• Deliver and sustain a high service level by developing and executing production plans that align demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Coordinate with site buyers to monitor raw material availability, lead times, and supply risks to prevent delays and disruptions.
• Maintain optimized inventory positions through cross-functional collaboration to balance demand, stock levels, and working capital.
• Standardize planning practices and develop team competencies to enhance efficiency and long-term site performance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

MRP systems

ERP/MRP experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic execution

Communication

Leadership

Data-driven decision-making

Continuous improvement

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Operations Management

Tools

D365

SAP

Oracle

NetSuite

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Production Scheduler is responsible for leading site-level production planning, material flow, and inventory execution to ensure consistent customer fulfillment, high service performance, and operational efficiency. This role plays a critical part in translating demand into executable production plans while balancing capacity, materials, and inventory to support business objectives and deliver a strong, customer-centric service experience.

As a key member of the Supply Chain team, the Production Scheduler partners with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, and Commercial teams to align production plans with customer demand, optimize inventory, and drive continuous improvement across planning and fulfillment processes, with a strong focus on meeting and exceeding customer expectations.

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Organizational Development – 20%

• Drive a culture of accountability, ownership, and performance excellence within site planning to consistently deliver strong service performance and reliable execution.
• Build and sustain effective cross-functional partnerships with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, and Commercial teams to ensure aligned planning, clear communication, and coordinated execution.
• Strengthen organizational capability by standardizing planning practices, advancing continuous improvement initiatives, and developing team competencies to enhance efficiency and long-term site performance.

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Planning Excellence – 50%

• Deliver and sustain a 95%+ service level by developing and executing production plans that align customer demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Ensure material readiness by coordinating with site buyers and proactively monitoring raw material availability, lead times, and supply risks to prevent production delays and disruptions.
• Maintain accurate and optimized inventory positions through cross-functional collaboration to balance demand requirements, stock levels, and working capital efficiency.
• Continuously adjust planning strategies based on demand trends, production capacity, and customer requirements to ensure optimal execution and responsiveness.
• Drive production effectiveness by optimizing item efficiencies, run strategies, and production sequencing to maximize scheduling performance, asset utilization, and throughput.
• Ensure timely and complete order fulfillment by managing production schedules, backlog, and order status to support consistent on-time shipment performance while minimizing excess and unnecessary material creation.

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Inventory Management – 30%

• Maintain inventory performance within established targets by balancing raw materials, WIP, and finished goods to support ≥95% service levels while minimizing excess, obsolescence, and carrying cost exposure.
• Drive and achieve inventory reduction and working capital efficiency by identifying and eliminating excess and non-moving inventory, improving demand-to-supply alignment, and ensuring disciplined replenishment to prevent overstock and improve cash utilization.
• Improve inventory flow and risk management by increasing inventory turns, reducing stagnation, and proactively identifying and mitigating slow-moving, constrained, or at-risk materials through cross-functional coordination.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or related field, or equivalent experience and/or certifications.
• 3+ years of experience in production planning, scheduling, or materials management within a manufacturing environment.
• Solid understanding of production planning principles, including MRP, capacity planning, inventory control, and demand alignment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience using ERP/MRP systems (D365 preferred; SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and advanced Microsoft Excel/data analysis.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities while delivering accurate and timely production schedules.
• Strategic thinking with results-driven execution
• Strong communication and leadership
• Data-driven decision-making and performance management
• Continuous improvement and operational excellence mindset.