Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks: Career & Application Guide

What do production, planning, and expediting clerks do?

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.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Expeditor
Inventory Control Specialist
Material Requirements Planner (MRP)
Materials Coordinator
Materials Planner
Production Assistant
Production Clerk
Production Controller

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

Distribute production schedules or work orders to departments.
Revise production schedules when required due to design changes, labor or material shortages, backlogs, or other interruptions, collaborating with management, marketing, sales, production, or engineering.
Review documents, such as production schedules, work orders, or staffing tables, to determine personnel or materials requirements or material priorities.
Arrange for delivery, assembly, or distribution of supplies or parts to expedite flow of materials and meet production schedules.
Confer with establishment personnel, vendors, or customers to coordinate production or shipping activities and to resolve complaints or eliminate delays.
Requisition and maintain inventories of materials or supplies necessary to meet production demands.
Confer with department supervisors or other personnel to assess progress and discuss needed changes.
Plan production commitments or timetables for business units, specific programs, or jobs, using sales forecasts.
Compile information, such as production rates and progress, materials inventories, materials used, or customer information, so that status reports can be completed.

Prepare an application for this occupation

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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