Spotlights
Expeditor, Inventory Control Specialist, Material Requirements Planner, Materials Coordinator, Materials Planner, Production Assistant, Production Clerk, Production Controller, Production Planner, Production Scheduler, Inspectors and Planners
Keeping a business operating is no easy task. It requires a coordinated effort by many individuals, but perhaps the heart and soul of any business lies in the production and movement of materials. Materials can include everything from parts to finished products, all of which have to be moved around from one location to another. That’s where Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks come in. Broadly speaking, they coordinate the smooth movement of both work and materials within a company or from the company to another location.
This career category is so critical it is broken down into more specific roles, such as Material Control Clerk, Expediter, Production Control Clerk, Production Scheduler, and several others. For this reason, specific duties can vary from one role to another. Some may focus more on shipping speeds while others focus on troubleshooting problem areas or ensuring proper inventory documentation. However, the main goal is to keep things moving on schedule while ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
- Learning how business works “behind the scenes”
- Playing a direct and key role in the success of a company
- Enhancing collaboration skills and gaining exposure to a range of other fields
- Preventing problems which could impact jobs and customer experiences
- Building problem-solving skills that are useful for any aspect of one’s life
Working Schedule
- Production, planning, and expediting clerks typically hold full-time positions, with many roles working standard Monday through Friday schedules
- Certain jobs require night, weekend, and holiday shifts
- Schedules can be impacted by various unforeseen issues, and at times employees may need to work overtime to avoid delays in production or transport
Nhiệm vụ tiêu biểu
- Work in locations such as production plants and warehouses and help keep them clean, well-lit, climate-controlled, and hazard-free
- Engage with external sources such as customers, vendors, and agencies
- Routinely collaborate with other elements of a company, such as transportation
- Review, revise, and distribute work schedules, orders, and other documents to ensure requirements are met in a timely fashion
- Order and maintain inventories of items needed to produce goods
- Manage the logistical arrangement for incoming and outgoing goods
- Ensure processes are adaptable to changes, such as shortages or disruptions
- Monitor and keep records on inventory, budget, production numbers, billing, and quality assurance/compliance data
- Forecast production materials needed, costs, timetables, sales, and personnel needs
Trách nhiệm bổ sung
- Meet with supervisors, managers, and members from other sections of the company to review processes and keep things on track
- Coordinate the procurement, maintenance, and repair of equipment
- Order a wide range of supplies and materials
- Resolve complaints, HR matters, and workflow interruptions
- Route and deliver parts to ensure production quotas are met
- Conduct visits to vendor or customer locations
Kỹ năng mềm
- Analytical thinking with the ability to envision “the big picture” of logistics
- Close listening and attention to minute details
- Ability to solve complex problems promptly
- Phone etiquette and customer-oriented communication skills
- Focus and efficient time management skills
- Sharp organizational skills
- Comfortable in large, busy environments
- A keen eye for reading and noting specific details
- Khả năng phục hồi và điềm tĩnh
- Độ tin cậy
- Tháo vát và lãnh đạo
- Skills for coordinating operations and directing the duties of others
- Phán đoán và ra quyết định đúng đắn, đôi khi dưới áp lực
Kỹ năng kỹ thuật
- Math and general clerical skills
- Knowledge of using IT equipment
- Knowledge of accounting, database, inventory, scheduling, and document management applications
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Macintosh software, Google apps, and calendar software
- Presentation software and tools such as PowerPoint and Prezi
- Familiarity with barcodes, scanners, RFID tags, blockchain, and other technologies
- Aerospace Industry
- Apparel Wholesalers
- Architectural
- Công trình
- Federal Agencies
- Iron and Steel Mills
- Machinery Manufacturing
- Medical Industry
- Merchant Wholesalers
- Ship Building
- Warehousing and Storage
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks have jobs that demand following strict routines. They’re expected to handle pressure, make independent decisions, and direct others as needed. At times there may be little interaction with others, as they focus on tasks. Other times are hectic and involve coordinating with many people.
Much of the work is done indoors, often in a large open area without a lot of privacy. Adherence to timetables is essential. During holidays, when large shipments arrive, or when things get behind schedule, work hours may be extended. This requires flexibility at times, which is challenging for some employees (especially those in college, and who have families or other commitments). Starting pay may not be the best, but workers can earn a good salary as they gain experience.
Many sectors are seeing the impact of automation in their work centers. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk duties are “difficult to substitute with technology.” Meanwhile, it is vital to keep up with changes as related fields experience shifts.
Blockchain and the Internet-of-Things are quickly emerging as crucial technologies for tracking and tracing products. Clerks working in areas such as Shipping and Receiving may notice more changes as technology merges with their fields. As with any company, changes in one area can affect others.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the types of personalities that match with this career field. Growing up, many workers liked hobbies that involved following procedures, such as assembling LEGO sets. They took comfort in predictable routines at home, knowing what to expect from day to day or even hour to hour. They might have been frequently called “reliable” or “dependable,” or known as a person others could count on to get something done.
Some may have been introverted, enjoying digging into the details of a project, or focusing closely on a specific task. However, others liked to take charge, leading or assisting with the management of big group activities. A few common traits are the ability to deal with pressure, focus on goals, make decisions, meet deadlines, and work together with others to overcome problems and accomplish things as a team.
Note: most employers will offer On-the-Job Training of at least one-to-three months.
- Bằng tốt nghiệp trung học phổ thông (hoặc GED) là ngưỡng tối thiểu để tham gia vào lĩnh vực này
- 56% had at least some college under their belt, according to Recruiters.com
- 12.9% of workers held a bachelor’s degree
- Ability to collaborate with and potentially lead teammates
- Awareness of basic math, including general economics and accounting
- Awareness of production processes and costs
- Desire to enhance process efficiencies
- Knowledge of and commitment to quality assurance and safety standards
- Clerical skills such as typing and records management
- Ability to assess the work of others and taking appropriate actions to correct deficiencies
- Excellent communication and computer skills
- Strong time management and problem-solving skills
- Degree or certificate offerings related to parts, warehousing, and inventory management
- Courses to build skills related to administration, management, recordkeeping, logistics, math, and other related skills
- Consider specialization areas such as blockchain, applicable software platforms, or equipment operation, if offered and related to the career you want to pursue
- Trường nên được công nhận, có nghĩa là nó đã trải qua một quá trình đảm bảo chất lượng để đảm bảo nó cung cấp giáo dục tầm cỡ cao
- Xem xét chi phí học phí, chiết khấu và các cơ hội học bổng địa phương (ngoài viện trợ liên bang như FAFSA hoặc các lợi ích của Đạo luật Cơ hội và Đổi mới Lực lượng Lao động)
- Hãy suy nghĩ về lịch trình và tính linh hoạt của bạn, khi quyết định có nên đăng ký vào một chương trình trong khuôn viên trường, trực tuyến hoặc lai
There are several programs related to Parts, Warehousing, and Inventory Management currently available in the US, many of which are accredited and offered on-campus, online, or via hybrid courses where some coursework is done.
- Many local companies offer tours of their operations. These are filled with working professionals who are perfect to ask for guidance and mentorship
- Remember to ask if they offer internships or opportunities to volunteer! Any hands-on experience working behind-the-scenes will help you to understand day-to-day operations
- If your high school offers them, consider taking courses that can help prepare you for future college courses related to business logistics, accounting, and database management
- Trau dồi các kỹ năng đọc, toán và viết của bạn
- Kết nối mạng thường xuyên và giữ một danh sách các liên hệ, bao gồm cả địa chỉ email
- Volunteer to organize large scale activities at school or other organizations in your town
- Consider volunteering with a local Chamber of Commerce to get exposure working with business leaders
- Kiểm tra các chương trình cao đẳng cộng đồng chấp nhận học sinh trung học
- Khi bạn có được kinh nghiệm, hãy tìm những vai trò đòi hỏi bạn phải thể hiện kỹ năng lãnh đạo và thực hiện nhiệm vụ với trách nhiệm cao hơn và ít giám sát hơn
- Keep track of all the volunteer or intern work you do in school and elsewhere that may look good on your future resume or college applications. A Word document or Google Doc is a great place to log everything
- Remember, the more legwork you put in ahead of time, the higher your odds of impressing recruiters and hiring managers
- Use measurable, quantifiable data on your resume, when possible (statistics and numbers are much better than generalized statements)
- Put your network to work! Don’t be shy asking for tips or leads about openings
- Ask your connections if they can write recommendation letters for you, or if you can list them as references
- Know your terminology. Brush up on the lingo used in the career field, and know how to use it correctly
- Beef up your LinkedIn profile and make it professional. You never know who’s looking!
- Apply for jobs found on Indeed.com and other employment portals, and sign up for alerts
- If there are specific companies you want to work for, check out their websites, too
- Practice your interview skills via mock interviews with friends, college alumni, or relatives
- Additional education, training, and certification boosts your chances for moving up
- Specialize in hard-to-fill areas. Make yourself invaluable by taking advanced courses
- Explore “off-duty” opportunities that offer leadership/management experience
- Behave according to the “job you want, not the job you have”
- Exploit every chance to expand your professional network with those in higher positions
- Teach others how to do the job right and gain the respect of your co-workers
- Join professional organizations; read publications that give you a knowledge edge
- Save the company money! Find ways to improve processes and “build a better widget”
- Keep customers happy. Satisfied clients give feedback which finds its way to supervisors
- Watch out for declines in certain sectors that can affect employment stats. Stay competitive and ahead of the curve
- Trang web
- APICS
- Viện Quản lý Cung ứng
- Sách vở
- Take courses to increase job opportunities and earnings potential
- Finish your bachelor’s degree to get ahead of the competition and stay relevant
- Consider related occupations, such as:
- Stock clerks and order fillers
- Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks
- Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping
- Consider similar occupations, such as:
- General office clerks
- Laborers and material movers
- Information clerks