Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks

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.

SOC: 43-5061.00

Common Job Titles

ExpeditorMaterials PlannerProduction PlannerProduction Scheduler

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeEvaluate work progress and completion timelines in collaboration with department supervisors to ensure adherence to production deadlines.
  • KnowledgeOrganize production schedules, work orders, and shipment schedules prioritizing tasks across multiple departments under time-sensitive constraints.
  • KnowledgeAssess production problems and cost variances compiling detailed reports for management review and decision-making.
  • MindsetBalance competing production priorities and departmental needs while maintaining service orientation toward internal stakeholders.
  • KnowledgeCoordinate material flow and work activities between departments ensuring alignment with production timelines and customer delivery requirements.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze production schedules and inventory data using ERP systems and database software to identify bottlenecks and resource constraints.
  • KnowledgeCompute material requirements and resource allocations using production planning software to optimize workflow efficiency.
  • MindsetEngage with interdepartmental teams and supervisors to facilitate information flow and resolve scheduling conflicts.
  • KnowledgeOperate enterprise resource planning (ERP) and materials management systems including SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics to track and expedite workflows.
  • KnowledgeInterpret production data and compliance standards to communicate schedule changes and status updates to relevant stakeholders.
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

385,000

Wage Distribution by Percentile

MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$38,570
10% of workers earn the following or more$84,810
Workers on average earn$60,420

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Production and Processing4.3/5
  • Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
  • English Language3.6/5
  • Administrative3.6/5
  • Administration and Management3.5/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

Adobe AcrobatAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopGoogle DocsIntuit QuickBooksMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordOracle DatabaseOracle PeopleSoftOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementSAP softwareStructured query language SQL

Technology Skills

ABB Production PlanningADi SmartBOLAccvision ABMISAestiva Purchase OrderAirtableApplied Software Technologies Asset Maintenance and Materials Management SystemAsprovaBill of lading software

Tools & Equipment

Desktop computersNotebook computersPersonal computersScanners