Master Production Planner

Job Description:

The Master Scheduler at AAON plays a pivotal role in aligning production plans with customer

demand, inventory strategy, and available operational capacity. This position ensures efficient

material flow, balanced workloads, and optimized resource utilization across manufacturing

operations. Working closely with cross-functional teams the scheduler drives schedule accuracy,

supports service-level commitments, and minimizes costs, delays, and disruptions.

Success in this role requires strong analytical capability, strategic thinking, and a solid understanding

of manufacturing processes and constraints. The goal is to ensure seamless, on-time production

execution that supports customer requirements and operational efficiency.

Primary Duties

The Master Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing the Master

Production Schedule (MPS) to meet customer demand, inventory strategy, and operational capacity.

This role converts sales forecasts, customer orders, and operational constraints into executable

production plans that optimize productivity, minimize inventory exposure, and maximize on-time

delivery performance.

• Lead the creation, maintenance, and reporting of the Master Production Schedule (MPS), ensuring it reflects demand forecasts, inventory targets, capacity constraints, and operational priorities.
• Translate sales and marketing forecasts into the ERP/MRP system, ensuring accurate signals for production, procurement, and inventory replenishment.
• Develop and maintain medium and long-term capacity requirements plans, collaborating with S&OP/SIOP teams to ensure load and capacity alignment.
• Create and publish rolling production schedules, updating daily as needed to reflect changes in demand, material availability, or operational disruptions.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Sales to ensure materials, resources, and processes support the production plan and customer commitments.
• Monitor schedule attainment, delivery performance, and key planning KPIs, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions to improve accuracy and execution.
• Analyze inventory levels, shortages, constraints, and production risks, adjusting schedules proactively to maintain flow and meet delivery requirements.
• Perform run-out analyses for discontinued or transitioning products, coordinating exit strategies with Manufacturing, Engineering, Product Management, and Procurement.
• Support new product introductions and process changes, ensuring smooth integration into the production planning environment. Coordinate scheduling and inventory movement with outside processing vendors, ensuring availability aligns with production requirements.
• Participate in all S&OP and S&OE processes, providing plant-level insights, risks, and recommendations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance schedule accuracy, capacity utilization, planning efficiency, and overall flow through the value stream.
• Prepare and communicate planning reports and production updates for leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Provide supervisory leadership, supporting performance, development, coaching, and alignment for scheduling/planning team members.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Creating and maintaining a rolling production schedule based on sales forecasts and inventory targets.

• Coordinating with supply chain and procurement teams to ensure timely availability of materials.

• Identifying and resolving scheduling conflicts and capacity constraints.

• Monitoring production progress and adjusting plans to meet delivery commitments.

• Collaborating with engineering and operations to support new product introductions and process changes.

• Utilizing ERP and planning systems to manage data and generate reports.

• Driving continuous improvement initiatives related to planning accuracy and efficiency.

• Communicating effectively with stakeholders to provide updates and resolve issues.

• This role includes supervisory responsibilities, including overseeing team members’ performance and providing guidance as needed.

Job Requirements

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, and at least 7 years of progressive experience in supply chain, operations, or project management; or any combination of education and experience that provides an equivalent background.

Preferred: APICS CPIM or CSCP certification; Master’s degree in Operations or related discipline.

Preferred: APICS CPIM or CSCP certification; Master’s degree in Operations or related discipline.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Requires:

• Strong understanding of manufacturing planning, scheduling, and inventory control principles.

• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar) and advanced Excel skills.

• Ability to analyze complex data sets and make informed decisions.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Strong communication and collaboration abilities across departments. · Knowledge of HVAC manufacturing processes and product lifecycle.

• Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background.

Essential Mental and Physical Functions:

This role requires sustained attention to detail, analytical thinking, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The planner must be able to interpret data, solve problems, and communicate effectively with diverse teams.

Essential functions include:

• Sitting or standing for extended periods while working at a computer.

• Occasional walking through manufacturing areas to assess production status.

• Ability to handle stress and adapt to changing priorities.

• Visual acuity for reviewing schedules, reports, and system data.

Work Environment:

The Master Scheduler typically works in an office setting within a manufacturing facility. The role may require occasional visits to production areas, which may involve exposure to noise, temperature variations, and moving machinery. Safety protocols must be followed at all times.

Disclaimer:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform, and the employee may be required to perform additional functions. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.