Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Forecasting • Cold Chain • PO

Master Production Schedule

Term from Supply Chain Management industry explained for recruiters

A Master Production Schedule (MPS) is a planning tool that helps companies organize what products they're going to make, when they'll make them, and in what quantities. Think of it like a master calendar that shows production plans usually covering weeks or months ahead. It helps coordinate between sales forecasts, inventory levels, and production capacity. Production planners and supply chain managers use this to make sure the company can meet customer demands while keeping inventory costs under control. Similar concepts include Production Planning, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), or Production Scheduling.

Examples in Resumes

Developed and maintained Master Production Schedule for a $50M manufacturing facility

Reduced inventory costs by 25% through optimizing Master Production Schedule and MPS

Led team of 5 planners in implementing new Master Production Schedule system across 3 plants

Typical job title: "Production Planners"

Also try searching for:

Production Planner Supply Chain Planner Manufacturing Planner Production Scheduler Supply Chain Coordinator Operations Planner Materials Planner

Where to Find Production Planners

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle conflicting priorities between sales forecasts and production capacity?

Expected Answer: A senior planner should discuss balancing customer demands with resource constraints, negotiating with different departments, and using data to make informed decisions about production scheduling.

Q: How have you improved a Master Production Schedule process in your previous role?

Expected Answer: Should describe specific examples of implementing improvements, such as reducing inventory costs, improving delivery times, or implementing new planning systems, with measurable results.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure your Master Production Schedule remains realistic and achievable?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they check resource availability, consider maintenance schedules, and adjust for unexpected changes in demand or supply.

Q: What factors do you consider when creating a Master Production Schedule?

Expected Answer: Should mention sales forecasts, inventory levels, production capacity, material availability, and workforce scheduling.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the purpose of a Master Production Schedule?

Expected Answer: Should explain that it's a plan showing what products will be made, when, and in what quantities, helping coordinate between sales and production.

Q: How often should a Master Production Schedule be updated?

Expected Answer: Should discuss regular review cycles (weekly/monthly) and the need to adjust for changes in demand or production capabilities.