Materials Scheduler
Ft.Wayne, IN, US, 46808-1998
Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving two primary markets – passenger vehicle and commercial truck – Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.
Job Purpose
Create, manage, and optimize production schedules to support on-time customer delivery while maximizing manufacturing efficiency and inventory performance in an automotive manufacturing, union-represented environment. The Production Scheduler serves as a key liaison between operations, logistics, and customers to align priorities, resolve delivery issues, and drive reduction of past-due orders in a fast-paced, high-volume production setting.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Production Scheduling & Execution
- Develop, maintain, and adjust daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules to meet customer demand and plant efficiency targets in an automotive manufacturing environment.
- Schedule parts through assigned departments to ensure on-time fulfillment while maintaining target utilization and efficiency.
- Coordinate with production, materials, and union-represented hourly teams to align schedules within established labor agreements.
- Align priorities with other schedulers to support overall plant objectives, capacity constraints, and customer commitments.
Customer & Logistics Coordination
- Act as a primary point of contact between plant operations and customers to support on-time delivery and address delivery concerns.
- Coordinate logistics activities, including initiating and managing expediting services when required to meet customer requirements.
- Provide clear reporting, analysis, and action plans related to open orders, delivery performance, and past-due metrics.
- Present delivery status, risks, and recovery plans effectively to cross-functional teams and plant leadership.
Inventory & Systems Management
- Monitor and manage inventory levels to meet business objectives while minimizing shortages and excess.
- Maintain accurate supplier, material, and scheduling data within plant systems and ERP/MRP tools.
- Resolve shipment discrepancies using ERP system analysis validated through cycle counts.
- Participate in cycle count activities and annual physical inventory as required.
Change Management & Continuous Improvement
- Support change management initiatives including engineering changes, resourcing adjustments, and new product launches.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to delivery performance, scheduling efficiency, and inventory optimization.
- Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned by leadership.
- Perform all responsibilities in a legal and ethical manner consistent with company policies, procedures, union agreements, and industry standards.
Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field or a minimum of 7 years of equivalent applicable experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in production scheduling or materials planning within an automotive manufacturing environment preferred.
- Experience working in a unionized manufacturing facility strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of MRP systems required; SAP experience preferred.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required, including analysis of large data sets, formulas, pivot tables, and data-driven reporting.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint required.
- Strong understanding of planning, scheduling, and manufacturing operations.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally with hourly and salaried teams.
- Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment and manage changing priorities.
- Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule as business needs require.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters
Please note that as per Dana policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters were engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Dana will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.