Production Scheduler

Primary location: Libertyville, Illinois 
Relocation offered: No 
Employment status: Full-Time 
Travel: <10% 
Non-compete: No 

The estimated base salary range for this role is $65,000-$75,000 per year.  
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

What does it mean to work at MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries? 

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

• A benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, and many more.
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.
• A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results. 
  ​

Reporting to the Buyer Supervisor, the Production Scheduler plays a crucial role in production planning and scheduling to ensure all customer demand is accurately captured, one-off product manufacturing requirements with efficient use of resources and maintaining on-time delivery performance. The analyst collaborates with the Buyer Supervisor and other members of the plant team to align, supply chain needs, plant schedules and asset capacities to meet business objectives while scaling operations toward best-in-class standards.

What's in it for you

• Opportunity to support and optimize production schedules within Excel & Power BI.
• Ability to collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and vendors.
• Participation in Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning effectiveness.
• Opportunity to provide guidance and informal training for less experienced planners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

Note: Each level builds on the prior, reflecting increasing scope, complexity, independence, and impact.

What You'll Do

Level I – Grade 7

• Develops and maintains production schedules within Excel & Power BI
• Monitors schedules and adjusts plans based on order priorities, material availability, and vendor inputs.
• Coordinates production activities for standard, custom, and sample orders.
• Releases jobs to the shop floor and ensures accurate system tracking.
• Communicates production status and escalates risks impacting delivery or schedule adherence.
• Supports capacity planning using established parameters and escalates constraints as needed.
• Maintains KPI reporting and updates Gemba boards to reflect current production performance.
• Collaborates with Operations to provide input for schedule

Level II – Grade 8

• Develops and optimizes master production schedules within Excel & Power BI
• Analyzes demand, labor, and equipment constraints to balance production loads and meet customer commitments.
• Monitors and proactively adjusts schedules to address bottlenecks and changing priorities.
• Leads recovery scheduling efforts to minimize disruption impacts and maintain delivery performance.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for production status, delays, and forecast changes.
• Analyzes KPIs and Gemba board data to identify trends and drive root cause corrective actions.
• Collaborates with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations to provide input for schedule
• Supports Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning effectiveness.
• Provides guidance and informal training for less experienced planners.

What Will Make You Successful

• Complete working knowledge of all facets of MRP (Materials Requirements Planning) and of the production process with a minimal understanding of technical applications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite - particularly MS Excel.
• Ability to work cross functionally with other groups within the company.
• Excellent written and verbal communications with the ability to share knowledge at appropriate levels of the organization.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment to ascertain the reasonableness and accuracy of information.
• Client-driven with strong attention to detail and capable of delivering accurate, quality results in a timely, consistent, and professional manner.
• Strong people skills, including the ability to interact comfortably and respectfully with all levels of personnel.
• Capable of working independently and managing multiple priorities; must be an initiative-taker and take the initiative in completing projects and assignments.

Qualifications

• 2 or 4-year degree in supply chain, operations management, engineering, or related technical field. Relevant experience in lieu of degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• 4+ years of work experience in manufacturing office environment.
• 2+ years Excel & Power BI Experience preferred.
• 1+ years of SAP preferred.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Spanish language proficiency

Physical Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:  sit for prolonged periods; repetitive motion of hands/wrists/fingers; concentrate and repeat the same physical or mental activities over and over; think analytically and be exact or highly accurate; make decisions such as to identify complex problems, develop options and implement solutions; work in a team; ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADAAA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards; pay attention to and remember details; communicate effectively including active listening to understand points being made, and asking appropriate questions and not interrupting inappropriately; speak to convey information effectively; write to communicate effectively as appropriate for the needs of the audience; read to understand work related documents; move between different physical locations within and between buildings; and push, pull, carry and lift in the normal course of travel.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

1. Office Environment – This position operates in a professional office environment and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. No PPE is required.

1. Plant Environment – This position operates in a manufacturing setting and can be subject to extreme cold and hot temperatures; uneven walking surfaces with cords, tools, and other obstacles; intermittent loud noises; and dusty or dirty conditions.  Required PPE includes hard hat (when required), safety glasses, earplugs, steel toe/composite boots, and fall protection.

Why should you join MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

Why should you join Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is an Americas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions. With approximately $1.4 billion in revenue, AWI has about 3,700 employees and a manufacturing network of 21 facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 160 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable architectural solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.

We are committed to:

Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

About the location (Libertyville IL)

MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI), is one of twelve AWI plants in North America. Our Libertyville plant in northern Illinois is located 1 hour northwest of Chicago, and 1 hour south of Milwaukee, WI. It is also a short, 7 mile drive to beautiful Lake Michigan.  Visit Libertyville’s historic downtown shopping and dining district, with nearly 100 restaurants, cafes and pubs. Stop by the Dunn Museum. Take your friends and family to the Libertyville Sports Complex. Check out their calendar of events for festivals, wine tastings, community bike rides, classic car shows and other activities that are hosted year-round.  Libertyville provides a hometown feel, while being close to the 3rd and 31st largest cities in the US!

MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce.  As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisition and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!