Career Overview
Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.
Also Known As
- Expeditor
- Materials Planner
- Production Planner
- Production Scheduler
Alternate Job Titles
- Advertising Dispatch Clerk
- Aircraft Log Clerk
- Alterations Workroom Clerk
- Assignment Agent
- Assignment Clerk
- Automated Logistical Specialist
- Back Shoe Worker
- Batch Records Clerk
- Beef Tagger
- Billet Recorder
- Box Estimator
- Clerical Production Worker
- Computer Processing Scheduler
- Computerized Mill Recorder
- Control Clerk
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Distribute production schedules or work orders to departments.
- Revise production schedules when required due to design changes, labor or material shortages, backlogs, or other interruptions, collaborating with management, marketing, sales, production, or engineering.
- Review documents, such as production schedules, work orders, or staffing tables, to determine personnel or materials requirements or material priorities.
- Arrange for delivery, assembly, or distribution of supplies or parts to expedite flow of materials and meet production schedules.
- Confer with establishment personnel, vendors, or customers to coordinate production or shipping activities and to resolve complaints or eliminate delays.
- Requisition and maintain inventories of materials or supplies necessary to meet production demands.
- Confer with department supervisors or other personnel to assess progress and discuss needed changes.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Selective Attention
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Adaptability
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- Google Docs
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Scanners
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Time Pressure
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $38,570 |
| Median | $57,770 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $84,810 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 385,000
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Project Management Specialists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $100,750
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $43,190
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: Varies
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $71,190
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,650
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.