6 templates by type for manufacturing and supply-chain teams: general, master production scheduler, supply chain, senior, project, and a small-manufacturer first-hire version, with the FLSA exempt-status guidance, role comparison, and ERP/MRP requirements generic templates skip. Download as DOCX.
A master scheduler sits at the center of operations, owning the master production schedule and balancing demand, capacity, materials, and inventory so the business can deliver on its commitments. It is a strategic, system-heavy role concentrated in manufacturing, supply chain, and aerospace and defense, and writing the posting well means getting three things right that generic templates miss: the distinction between a master scheduler and the cheaper roles it is confused with, the ERP/MRP systems the job actually requires, and the FLSA exempt-status question.
The six templates below cover the role by type: general, master production scheduler, supply chain, senior, project, and a small-manufacturer first-hire version. Each is built to be specific rather than generic, with a role-comparison table and a systems checklist that competitors leave out. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion, and the closely related production scheduler templates cover the more tactical role.
TL;DR
A master scheduler owns the master production schedule, balancing demand, capacity, and inventory, primarily through an ERP/MRP system like SAP or Oracle. It is strategic and usually exempt under the administrative exemption, distinct from the more tactical (sometimes non-exempt) production scheduler. Pay clusters near or above $80,000, with the closest BLS proxy, logisticians, at a median of $80,880. List the required systems and certifications (ERP/MRP, APICS CPIM). Download six templates as DOCX, by type, with a role comparison and FLSA guidance built in.
What a Master Scheduler Does
A master scheduler owns the master production schedule and balances demand, capacity, materials, and inventory so an operation can meet its customer commitments. The role translates the sales and operations plan into an executable build schedule, sequences work, drives MRP, and keeps production, purchasing, and planning aligned. It is strategic and cross-functional, and it runs primarily through an ERP or MRP system.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track master schedulers as a distinct occupation; the closest proxy is logisticians, who coordinate supply-chain functions, with project-oriented schedulers closer to project management specialists. The title is concentrated in manufacturing, supply chain, and aerospace and defense. A more tactical version of the work belongs to the production scheduler, while a broad administrative version maps to the scheduling coordinator.
Master Scheduler Duties and Responsibilities
Master scheduler duties cluster into four areas: scheduling and planning, execution and exceptions, systems and data, and coordination and KPIs. A strong job description picks the specific responsibilities from each area that match your operation, rather than listing every possible task.
Scheduling and planning
Build and maintain the master production schedule
Balance demand, capacity, materials, and inventory
Translate the S&OP plan into an executable schedule
Execution and exceptions
Sequence and prioritize work orders
Run MRP and resolve exceptions
Adjust for changes, shortages, and rush orders
Systems and data
Drive ERP/MRP and maintain planning data
Set lead times, lot sizes, and safety stock
Keep scheduling data clean and accurate
Coordination and KPIs
Coordinate production, purchasing, and planning
Track schedule adherence and on-time delivery
Flag capacity and material risks early
The weights shift by setting: capacity balancing and MRP for manufacturing, S&OP and inventory for supply chain, critical-path management for projects. For a structured way to scope the role, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Master Scheduler vs Production Scheduler vs Scheduling Coordinator
These three titles are used loosely and often confused, but they are different roles with different scope, pay, and FLSA classification. Hiring the wrong one is costly, so decide which you actually need before you post. This comparison, which no competitor template offers, lays out the differences.
Factor
Master Scheduler
Production Scheduler
Scheduling Coordinator
Scope
Strategic, plant or supply-chain wide
Tactical, day-to-day floor
Administrative coordination
Core work
Owns MPS, balances demand and capacity
Sequences and releases work orders
Books appointments, shifts, or meetings
Systems
ERP/MRP, S&OP, APS
ERP/MRP, shop-floor tools
Calendars, scheduling software
Typical pay
Around or above $80K
Roughly $50K to $80K
Lower, often hourly
FLSA (typical)
Exempt (administrative)
Mixed; can be non-exempt
Usually non-exempt
If the role you are filling is mostly tactical floor sequencing, the production scheduler templates fit better and the classification question matters more. For a refresher on the classification line itself, see the exempt versus non-exempt guide.
Which Template Should You Use?
Once you have confirmed you need a master scheduler, pick the template by setting and seniority. The core structure is the same across all six, but each one emphasizes the duties, systems, and framing that fit a specific kind of scheduling role.
General Master Scheduler
Any operation
The universal baseline: own the master production schedule, balance demand and capacity, and drive MRP. Start here and adapt to your setting.
Master Production Scheduler (MPS)
Manufacturing plants
The plant-floor version: convert the demand plan into a capacity-balanced build schedule and keep the floor supplied and on time.
Supply Chain Master Scheduler
End-to-end supply chain
The supply-chain version: align the master schedule with demand planning, procurement, and inventory, and drive the S&OP process.
Senior / Lead Master Scheduler
Multi-line or multi-site
The senior version: own scheduling across lines or sites, set standards, and mentor a team, often with supervisory or strategic scope.
Project / Construction Scheduler
Project controls
The project-controls version: build integrated project schedules and manage the critical path in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
Small-Manufacturer First Hire
Small / contract shops
The version no competitor offers: a first dedicated scheduling hire who builds planning from scratch for a small or contract manufacturer.
Match the Template to the Operation
A general operation: General Master Scheduler. A manufacturing plant: Master Production Scheduler. End-to-end supply chain with S&OP: Supply Chain Master Scheduler. Multi-line or multi-site with a team: Senior / Lead. Construction or project controls with Primavera P6: Project / Construction. A small or contract shop making its first scheduling hire: Small-Manufacturer First Hire.
6 Master Scheduler Job Description Templates
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company and role summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, systems and tools, compensation, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, master production scheduler, supply chain, senior, project, and small-manufacturer first hire. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Master Scheduler
The universal baseline: own the master production schedule, balance demand and capacity, and drive MRP. Start here and adapt to your setting.
Master Scheduler Job Description (General)
MASTER SCHEDULER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: __ ([City, State] / Hybrid)
Reports to: __ (Operations / Supply Chain / Plant Manager)
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
FLSA status: Exempt (administrative) by default; confirm by duties
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your company, what you make or distribute, and the
operations or supply-chain team this master scheduler will join.]
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Master Scheduler to own the master production
schedule and balance demand, capacity, and inventory across our operations.
You will translate the sales and operations plan into an executable build
schedule, sequence work to meet customer commitments, and keep production,
purchasing, and planning aligned.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Build and maintain the master production schedule (MPS)
•Balance demand, capacity, materials, and inventory targets
•Translate the S&OP plan into an executable build schedule
•Sequence and prioritize work orders to meet commitments
•Run and analyze MRP and resolve exceptions
•Coordinate with production, purchasing, and planning
•Track schedule adherence, on-time delivery, and lead times
•Flag capacity and material risks and drive resolution
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•[Bachelor's degree in supply chain, operations, or related, or equivalent]
•[N] year(s) of scheduling, planning, or production-control experience
•Strong ERP/MRP skills ([SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics])
•Analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable with data
•Able to coordinate across functions and influence without authority
•[APICS CPIM or CSCP certification a plus]
SYSTEMS AND TOOLS
ERP/MRP: [SAP / Oracle / Microsoft Dynamics / NetSuite]
FLSA status: Confirm by duties (strategic planning is typically exempt; tactical/clerical scheduling may be non-exempt)
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
ABOUT US
[We are a small / contract manufacturer, and this is our first dedicated
scheduling hire. Until now, the owner or a production lead has handled the
schedule. You will own it and bring structure as we grow.]
ROLE SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring our first Master Scheduler / Production Planner to take
scheduling off the owner's plate and run it well. You will build the production
schedule, drive MRP in our ERP, keep materials and the floor in sync, and set up
simple, repeatable planning for a growing shop. A hands-on generalist who likes
ownership is ideal.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Build and own the production schedule for the shop
•Run MRP and release and manage work orders in [ERP]
•Keep materials, purchasing, and the floor in sync
•Set basic lead times, lot sizes, and reorder points
•Adjust for rush orders, shortages, and changes
•Set up simple, repeatable planning processes
•Track on-time delivery and schedule adherence
•Wear many hats across planning and operations
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
•[Scheduling, planning, or production-control experience]
•Hands-on with an ERP/MRP system ([or willing to learn ours])
•Self-starter comfortable building from scratch
•Practical, organized, and good with people on the floor
•[Degree helpful but not required with experience]
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Salary range: $_____ to $_____ per year
To apply, [send your resume to _].
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
ERP, MRP, and Required Systems
Master scheduling is system work, so the posting should name the platforms the role requires rather than mentioning systems in passing. List the specific ERP/MRP, planning, and project tools your operation runs, and mark which are required versus preferred, since a scheduler who already knows your stack ramps far faster.
A candidate experienced in your exact ERP is valuable, but strong planning fundamentals and MRP literacy often transfer across systems, so weigh specific-tool experience against overall scheduling skill. Name the certifications you prefer, but treat them as a signal rather than a hard requirement unless your operation genuinely needs one.
FLSA Classification and Pay
The classification and pay questions are where a master scheduler posting needs care, because the role sits near the line on both. It is usually exempt and usually salaried near or above $80,000, but a more tactical scheduling role can fall on the other side of both, so it pays to be deliberate.
Typically Exempt, but Confirm by Duties
A master scheduler usually qualifies for the administrative exemption, since the primary duty is office work related to operations and involves discretion and independent judgment on sequencing, capacity, and prioritization, with salary above the federal threshold. A more tactical or clerical scheduling role may not meet the discretion test and could be non-exempt and owed overtime. Classify by duties, not the title.
On pay, the BLS does not track master schedulers directly, so use proxies and benchmark to your role.
Closest BLS Proxy: Median $80,880 (May 2024)
Logisticians, the nearest occupation, had a median annual wage of $80,880 in May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under $49,260 and the highest 10 percent over $132,110, across about 241,000 jobs and projected to grow 17 percent through 2034 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Project and construction schedulers track closer to project management specialists, median $100,750.
Within the title, a master production scheduler at a smaller manufacturer often runs lower, frequently in the $60,000 range, while senior and aerospace or defense roles reach six figures. For more on how the classification works, the Fair Labor Standards Act overview explains the administrative exemption and the duties test in detail.
Requirement
What to look for
Education
Bachelor's in supply chain or operations, or equivalent experience
Experience
Scheduling, planning, or production-control experience
Systems
ERP/MRP (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics); APS and Excel
Certifications
APICS CPIM or CSCP preferred; PMI-SP or PSP for projects
Skills
Analytical, cross-functional, able to influence without authority
Classification
Typically exempt (administrative); confirm by duties
Keep the posting neutral and inclusive, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic, and the SHRM guide covers the standard sections of a job description.
Hiring a Scheduler for a Small Manufacturer
Master scheduler is concentrated in mid-to-large plants, but small and contract manufacturers hire schedulers too, usually as a first dedicated planning hire who combines master scheduling, production scheduling, and sometimes purchasing into one generalist role. At that scale the owner or a production lead writes the posting, and the realities are different from an enterprise plant. Here is how to write it for a small-shop reality, and the title trap to avoid.
The templates are written for Boeing, but your shop has forty people
Master scheduler is concentrated in mid-to-large manufacturing, aerospace, and defense, and the published templates read that way: enterprise org charts, layers of planners, and assumptions that a supply-chain department already exists. Small and contract manufacturers hire schedulers too, just differently. At a forty-person shop, the owner or a production lead writes the posting and the new scheduler is often the first dedicated planning hire, expected to run MRP, sequence the floor, and build the process from scratch. The templates here include versions for exactly that reality, including a small-manufacturer first-hire version no competitor offers, so you can post a description that fits your shop instead of an enterprise plant.
Master scheduler, production scheduler, scheduling coordinator: not the same job
These titles get used loosely, and hiring the wrong one is expensive. A master scheduler is strategic: they own the master production schedule, balance demand against capacity, and drive MRP, usually an exempt, salaried role around or above the $80,000 mark. A production scheduler is more tactical, sequencing day-to-day work on the floor, often paid less and sometimes non-exempt. A scheduling coordinator is typically administrative, booking appointments or shifts, a different role entirely. Decide which one you actually need before you post, because the title sets the pay, the classification, and the kind of candidate you attract. The comparison table on this page lays out the differences so you choose deliberately.
After hiring, a scheduler needs systems access, certifications on file, and real onboarding
A master scheduler lives in your ERP, so onboarding is more than paperwork: it is system access, data permissions, and a real orientation to how your planning works, plus storing any APICS CPIM or CSCP certifications and tracking renewals. Beyond that it is ordinary people operations: a signed offer letter, the new hire paperwork, and a first-weeks plan to learn the products, the floor, and the planning process before owning the schedule. FirstHR fits this people side for a small manufacturer: e-signature for the offer letter, document management for certifications and system-access records, training modules for a structured new-scheduler orientation, and an org chart and employee database to slot the role under operations or supply chain. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not an ERP, MRP, or scheduling system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same document becomes the basis for the offer and a scheduler-specific onboarding, starting with the new hire paperwork. Because a scheduler lives in your ERP and may carry certifications, onboarding has to handle system access and credential records on top of the usual steps, which is where a training plan template helps structure the ramp.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, salary, classification, and start date in writing. An offer letter template makes this fast for a salaried, exempt scheduler role.
Collect paperwork and access
I-9, tax forms, and ERP/MRP system access and data permissions set up before day one.
Orient on products and planning
A structured first-weeks plan to learn the products, the floor, and how your planning and MRP actually run.
Store records and certifications
Keep the signed offer, the I-9, and any APICS CPIM or CSCP certifications organized, with renewal dates tracked.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the next step. FirstHR connects the offer, paperwork, e-signatures, certification and system-access records, and a structured onboarding workflow in one place, so a small manufacturer can manage the full process from job description to a fully onboarded scheduler from one system. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not an ERP, MRP, or scheduling system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
Match the template to the role: general, master production scheduler, supply chain, senior, project, or small-manufacturer first hire.
Master scheduler is strategic and usually exempt; production scheduler is tactical and sometimes non-exempt; scheduling coordinator is administrative. Confirm which you need.
Classification is duties-based: a master scheduler typically qualifies for the administrative exemption, but a tactical role may be non-exempt and owed overtime.
List the required ERP/MRP and planning systems (SAP, Oracle, Primavera P6) and preferred certifications (APICS CPIM, CSCP), which generic templates skip.
Pay clusters near or above $80,000; the closest BLS proxy, logisticians, had a median of $80,880 in May 2024.
Small manufacturers usually hire a generalist first scheduling hire who builds planning from scratch and lives in the ERP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a master scheduler do?
A master scheduler owns the master production schedule and balances demand, capacity, materials, and inventory so an operation can meet customer commitments. Day to day, that means translating the sales and operations plan into an executable build schedule, sequencing and prioritizing work orders, running MRP and resolving exceptions, and coordinating across production, purchasing, and planning. The master scheduler also sets and maintains planning parameters like lead times, lot sizes, and safety stock, and tracks schedule adherence, on-time delivery, and inventory health. It is a strategic, cross-functional role that sits at the center of operations, usually in manufacturing, supply chain, or aerospace and defense. The work is system-heavy, run primarily through an ERP or MRP platform such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics.
What is the difference between a master scheduler and a production scheduler?
The difference is strategic versus tactical scope, and it affects pay and classification. A master scheduler is strategic: they own the master production schedule, balance demand against capacity across the operation, drive the sales and operations plan, and work primarily in the ERP/MRP system. It is usually an exempt, salaried role around or above $80,000. A production scheduler is more tactical and operational, sequencing day-to-day work on the floor, releasing and tracking work orders, and reacting to shortages and changes, often paid less and sometimes non-exempt. Many small manufacturers combine both into one job. Choose the title and template that match the actual scope you need, because it sets the pay range, the FLSA classification, and the type of candidate the posting attracts. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is a master scheduler exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A master scheduler is typically exempt under the administrative exemption, but it depends on the actual duties, not the title. The administrative exemption requires payment on a salary basis at or above the federal threshold, a primary duty of office work directly related to management or general business operations, and the exercise of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance. A master scheduler who owns the master production schedule and makes real sequencing, capacity, and prioritization decisions generally meets that test, and the salary easily clears the federal threshold. A more tactical or clerical scheduling role, by contrast, may not exercise enough independent judgment to qualify and could be non-exempt and owed overtime. Senior or lead schedulers who supervise a team may also qualify under the executive exemption. Classify by duties, and confirm borderline cases. This is general information, not legal advice.
What systems should a master scheduler know?
Master scheduling runs on an ERP or MRP platform, so system experience is central to the role. The most common ERP/MRP systems include SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, Epicor, and Infor, and many roles also use advanced planning and scheduling tools or supply-chain platforms such as Kinaxis, Blue Yonder, or o9. Project and construction master schedulers instead work in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project, using critical-path method. Strong Excel and data skills are nearly universal. On the credential side, APICS CPIM and CSCP certifications signal planning and supply-chain expertise, and PMI-SP or PSP signal project-scheduling expertise. List the specific systems your operation runs, and mark which are required versus preferred, since a scheduler who already knows your ERP ramps much faster. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a master scheduler make?
Master scheduler pay clusters around or just above $80,000, varying by industry, scope, and seniority. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a master-scheduler occupation specifically, but the closest proxies are informative: logisticians had a median annual wage of $80,880 in May 2024, and project management specialists, relevant for project and construction schedulers, had a median of $100,750. Within the title, a master production scheduler at a smaller manufacturer often runs lower, frequently in the $60,000 range, while a senior or lead master scheduler can reach into six figures, and aerospace and defense pays toward the top. Set your range based on the scope you need and your local market, and benchmark to your specific industry. National compensation surveys can help you calibrate. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do small manufacturers hire master schedulers?
Yes, though less often than mid-to-large plants, and usually in a broader form. Master scheduler is concentrated in mid-to-large manufacturing, aerospace, and defense, where dedicated scheduling teams are common. Small and contract manufacturers and job shops do hire schedulers, but typically as a first dedicated planning hire who combines master scheduling, production scheduling, and sometimes purchasing into one generalist role. At that scale, the owner or a production lead writes the posting and the new scheduler is expected to run MRP, sequence the floor, and build planning processes that did not exist before. If you are a small manufacturer making this hire, look for a practical, hands-on generalist over a narrow specialist, and use the small-manufacturer first-hire template, which is built for exactly that situation. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a master scheduler job description include?
A strong master scheduler job description names the type of scheduling role, since a manufacturing, supply-chain, project, and senior role differ, and includes a company overview, a role summary that makes the strategic scope clear, and responsibilities grouped into scheduling and planning, execution and exceptions, systems and data, and coordination. It should list the required ERP/MRP and planning systems as a real section, name any preferred certifications such as APICS CPIM or CSCP, and state the FLSA classification, which is typically exempt but should be confirmed by duties. Include a salary range where required, the reporting line under operations or supply chain, and clear apply instructions, closing with an equal opportunity statement. Matching the template to the specific role, rather than posting a generic description, attracts qualified candidates. This is general information, not legal advice.
What certifications are useful for a master scheduler?
The most recognized certifications for a master scheduler come from APICS, now part of ASCM. The CPIM, or Certified in Planning and Inventory Management, is the most directly relevant, covering production planning, master scheduling, MRP, and inventory. The CSCP, or Certified Supply Chain Professional, is broader and suits supply-chain-oriented scheduling roles. For project and construction master schedulers, the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) and the AACE Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) are the relevant credentials. None of these is universally required, and strong hands-on ERP/MRP experience often matters more, but listing a preferred certification helps signal the level of the role and can be a useful tiebreaker. Treat certifications as preferred rather than mandatory unless your operation genuinely requires one. This is general information, not legal advice.
