Master Scheduler

Astronics Corporation • East Aurora, NY

22d • $75,000 - $85,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Master Scheduler owns and drives the Master Production Schedule (MPS) across multiple programs and product groups. The role translates customer demand, sales forecasts, and inventory strategy into a realistic, capacity-constrained production plan, serving as a key link between Sales, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Operations. The position has no formal supervisory authority but acts as a trusted advisor and mentor to Production Planners and partners with senior leadership to support smooth, on-schedule production.

The Master Scheduler develops and maintains production plans aligned with the SIOP process, leads capacity planning and production meetings, confirms customer shipment dates, and manages scheduling policies and data in ERP/MRP systems. The role also supports work-order release, engineering change integration, Kanban systems, process documentation, staff development, and audit and compliance readiness.

The position is primarily office-based, with regular presence on the production floor. A 9/80 schedule provides every other Friday off. Employment offers are contingent on successfully passing a drug test and background check. Due to federal contract obligations, the role may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-control laws; employment is contingent on authorization to access such items under applicable law, and the company is not obligated to seek authorization if needed.

Requirements

• High school diploma required.
• Typically 8 or more years of direct experience in production/master scheduling within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to weigh costs and benefits in complex situations.
• Ability to analyze data to identify root causes and underlying drivers.
• Ability to develop new approaches, systems, or process improvements.
• Comfort providing consultation and advice to management on technical and process topics.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, shifting priorities, and incomplete information.
• Ability to train and develop planning staff.
• Advanced ERP/MRP system experience, including hands-on configuration and parameter management.
• Proficiency with database/query tools and advanced Excel, including pivot tables, macros, and Power Query.
• Working knowledge of capacity planning methodologies, including RCCP, CRP, and finite/infinite scheduling.
• Advanced skills across standard office productivity software.
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and correspondence.
• Ability to meet the role's physical demands, including frequent standing, walking, sitting, using hands and arms to pull handles and push buttons, and reaching objects; requirements may also include repetitive motions, climbing, balancing, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Employment is contingent on authorization to access items subject to U.S. export-control laws, if access is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM or CSCP) or a related credential.
• Experience with BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Familiarity with APS tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the master production schedule and production plan for multiple programs and product groups, balancing customer demand with department capacity and supply chain constraints in alignment with the SIOP process.
• Lead rough-cut capacity planning (RCCP) to validate schedule feasibility against labor, equipment, and material constraints, escalating capacity requirements planning (CRP) needs as necessary.
• Review sales orders, forecasts, and lead times to confirm accurate customer shipment dates through order promising, coordinating commitment requests with Supply Chain and other teams.
• Lead daily and weekly production meetings to resolve bottlenecks, track order status, adjust schedules, and coordinate schedule recovery plans between Operations and product groups.
• Establish and maintain scheduling policies, planning horizons, time fences, and lot-sizing rules within the ERP/MRP system, ensuring data integrity and schedule accuracy.
• Incorporate the ABC/XYZ program into the broader production plan.
• Release work orders, including rework and RMAs requiring unique BOMs and routers.
• Guide integration of Engineering Change Management into the production schedule with minimal disruption to throughput.
• Create and update standard work, guidelines, and work instructions for Master Scheduling processes.
• Mentor Production Planners and planning staff by providing technical guidance and best practices, and serve as an escalation point for complex scheduling conflicts.
• Maintain and adjust Kanban pull systems.
• Stay current on AS9102 and related audit and compliance requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.
• Culture focused on work-life balance and opportunities to sharpen skills and grow a career.
• Quarterly bonus tied to company profitability.
• 401(k) with 3% company contribution.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Paid holidays, including a full Christmas week shutdown.
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage, starting the first of the month after hire.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED