Production Scheduler 1st Shift

Airlite Plastics is a premier, privately held, family-owned manufacturer headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Our family style and personal culture is what makes Airlite an amazing place to grow and build a successful career. Airlite’s company values of unquestionable integrity and respect and appreciation for each other are at the core of our success! These values set a strong foundation to build on where we can ‘wow’ our customers with innovative products and sustainable solutions, and continuously improve our processes and efficiencies.

Our product lines include rigid plastic containers and lids for food packaging and cosmetics, dry powder scoops, plastic drink cups, shipping containers, industrial strength insulated concrete forms (ICF) and sustainable permeable paving systems. As pioneers in our industry, focused on sustainable solutions, we strive to provide our customers with top-notch service and quality, which aligns with our award-winning products.

How would you contribute? 

This role is a contributing member of our Airlite Plastics team, located in Omaha, NE. As a Production Scheduler you are a key to continued growth and success of Airlite. The Production Scheduler is responsible for executing and maintaining detailed production schedules within an assigned manufacturing area, ensuring daily work orders align with the master production schedule, machine availability, labor, and material supply. This role translates the master schedule into a sequenced, executable daily/weekly production plan and adjusts it in real time to respond to shop-floor conditions. The Production Scheduler works closely with the Master Scheduler, Production Supervisors, and Materials/Warehouse teams to keep production running smoothly, flagging constraints and schedule risks before they impact customer service or delivery commitments.

Essential Duties: 

• Build, maintain, and adjust the detailed production schedule (daily/weekly) for assigned lines or work centers, based on the master production schedule provided by the Master Scheduler.
• Sequence work orders to optimize machine utilization, changeover time, labor availability, and material readiness.
• Release work orders to the production floor and monitor schedule adherence throughout the shift/day.
• Adjust schedules in response to downtime, staffing shortages, material shortages, or rush orders, escalating constraints to the Master Scheduler as needed.

Production Team & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact between operational leaders and the scheduling function for questions on sequence, priority, or timing.
• Communicate schedule changes and production status updates to Operations, Materials, Quality, and Customer Service as needed.
• Coordinate changeovers, tooling, and staffing needs with Production Supervisors to keep the schedule on track.

Materials & Inventory Coordination

• Monitor raw material and component availability against the schedule and flag shortages to Materials/Purchasing.
• Coordinate with Warehouse/Materials teams on staging and timing of inputs needed to support the schedule.
• Track work-in-process and finished goods status to help maintain accurate inventory and delivery timing.

Data & Reporting

• Maintain accurate schedule and work order data in the ERP/MRP system.
• Track schedule attainment, downtime, and other key scheduling metrics; report variances to the Master Scheduler.
• Support root-cause analysis on missed schedules or late orders and help identify corrective actions.

Compliance & Safety

• Report food safety concerns and operational risks to management.
• Support company policies related to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance
• Other duties as assigned.

Do you have what it takes? Airlite Plastics is a versatile employer; complacency is not one of our strengths! We work hard each day to ensure that equipment efficiency and customer satisfaction never leave our line of sight. Successful candidates for the role will possess the following: 

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: 

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple, changing priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
• Working knowledge of production scheduling concepts, including sequencing, changeovers, and capacity constraints.
• Ability to read and interpret production data, work orders, and basic operational metrics.
• Clear, effective written and verbal communication skills for working with production floor staff and cross-functional partners.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on, fast-moving manufacturing environment with frequent schedule changes.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and schedule maintenance.
• Basic proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (Excel in particular).
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and urgency.
• Upholds company values and organizational goals while demonstrating professionalism and integrity.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in production scheduling, planning, or a manufacturing/production environment.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This role does not have personnel supervisory responsibilities; however, this role includes working with cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hand dexterity to operate office equipment including computer keyboards; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the office work environment is typically quiet; when visiting the production floor the noise level may be loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS 

All positions must have a current Job Hazard Analysis attached to the job description. See the JHA for Office Staff, located on the Company Intranet: Corporate Services> Safety> Job Hazard Analysis> JHA Office.

Our Core Values Drive Us! 

• Do you conduct yourself with unquestionable integrity? 
• Do you demonstrate respect and appreciation for those around you? 
• Are you innovative and strive to challenge the status quo? 
• Do you strive for continuous improvement and to deliver the “wow” factor? 
• Do you care about environmentally sustainable solutions? 
• Do you take meaning and pride in a job well done? 

What’s in it for you?  As a Full-Time employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits: 

• Health, dental and vision insurance 
• Company paid life insurance 
• Company paid short term disability 
• Generous 401k match 
• Generous Time Off 
• Annual company activities