Engineering

To Become Production Planner (Order scheduling) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

by Occupations.ca Team
11 min read

Are you the kind of person who likes turning a messy list of orders into a smooth, on-time production schedule? If you enjoy problem-solving, working with data, and coordinating people and materials, a career as a Production Planner (Order Scheduling) in Ontario might be for you. In this role, you help manufacturers decide what to make, when to make it, and what you need to make it—so customers get their orders on time.

Job Description

Production Planners (Order scheduling) build and adjust the production plan for a factory or plant. You coordinate customer orders, materials, machines, and labour to create a realistic schedule that keeps operations flowing. In Ontario, you’ll find this role in industries like Automotive, aerospace, metals, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, packaging, furniture, and electronics—especially across the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton-Niagara, Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, Windsor-Essex, Ottawa, and London.

A Production Planner is sometimes called a Production Scheduler, Master Scheduler, Planner/Buyer, or Materials Planner. While titles vary, the core work is similar: balancing demand, capacity, materials, and Delivery dates using ERP/MRP systems and working closely with Operations, Purchasing, Sales, and Quality.

Daily work activities

  • Review new orders, forecasts, and inventory levels each morning and update the production plan for the day, week, and month.
  • Check material availability (BOMs, lead times, Safety stock) in the ERP system to release work orders.
  • Sequence jobs to reduce changeover time and keep machines and work cells at optimal utilization.
  • Attend daily huddles with production, Maintenance, and quality to resolve bottlenecks and priorities.
  • Re-plan when something changes—machine downtime, urgent orders, supplier delays, quality holds.
  • Communicate order status and delivery commitments (ATP/CTP) to Customer Service and Sales.
  • Track key metrics: on-time delivery, schedule adherence, cycle time, WIP levels, and inventory turns.
  • Support continuous improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma tools.

Main tasks

  • Build and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) and detailed shop-floor schedules.
  • Run MRP to calculate material needs; release and firm work orders.
  • Analyze capacity vs. load; coordinate overtime, subcontracting, or alternative routings when needed.
  • Sequence orders to meet due dates while minimizing setups and constraints.
  • Monitor shortages and expedite materials with Purchasing and Suppliers.
  • Maintain accurate data: routings, BOMs, lead times, lot sizes, and calendars in ERP.
  • Coordinate Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) to avoid scrap and missed builds.
  • Issue and update promise dates; manage backlog and order rescheduling.
  • Prepare production status reports and KPIs for Leadership.
  • Ensure Compliance with standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100) where applicable.

Required Education

There are multiple education paths in Ontario. Employers typically look for a college diploma or a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing, or Supply Chain/operations. Many Production Planners strengthen their profile with professional certifications (e.g., CPIM).

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Diplomas and typical lengths

  • Certificate or Graduate Certificate (1 year): Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, advanced manufacturing, or ERP-focused Training.
  • College Diploma (2–3 years): Industrial Engineering Technician/Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Supply Chain and Operations.
  • Bachelor’s Degree (4 years): Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with manufacturing/operations focus, or Management/Systems/Operations programs.

Professional certifications (recommended)

Licensing as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) is not required for most Production Planner roles, though engineers can work in these positions. For P.Eng. Information: Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) https://www.peo.on.ca

Where to study? (Ontario)

Note: Program names change. Use each school’s site search to find “industrial engineering,” “manufacturing,” “supply chain,” or “operations.”

Universities (Bachelor’s degrees)

Colleges (Diplomas and Graduate Certificates)

Tip: If you already have a degree (in engineering, business, or science), a 1-year Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management or Operations from an Ontario college plus CPIM is a fast route into production planning.

Salary and Working Conditions

Salary in Ontario

Compensation varies by industry (automotive, aerospace, pharma, food), company size, and region. In Ontario:

  • Entry-level Production Planner: about $23–$30 per hour (roughly $48,000–$62,000 per year).
  • Experienced Production Planner or Master Scheduler: about $32–$45 per hour (roughly $66,000–$95,000+ per year).
  • Senior/Lead, automotive/aerospace/pharma, or planner-buyer hybrids can exceed $100,000 with bonuses.

For official labour market information and wage research:

Working conditions

  • Schedule: Typically weekday daytime, aligned with production shifts. Overtime may be needed at month/quarter-end or during launches and shortages.
  • Environment: Office near the shop floor; frequent walk-throughs. PPE may be required (safety shoes, Glasses).
  • Tools: ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Epicor, Infor), Excel/Google Sheets, APS/scheduling tools, Power BI/Tableau, and communication platforms.
  • Pace: Fast, deadline-driven. You manage changing priorities, urgent requests, and unexpected constraints.
  • Work model: Many roles are on-site or hybrid because of shop-floor Coordination and stand-up meetings. Fully remote roles are less common in manufacturing.
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Job outlook

Ontario has a strong manufacturing base, and smart factories (Industry 4.0), re-shoring, and supply chain resilience are keeping demand steady for planning professionals. Automotive (Windsor, Oshawa, Cambridge, Alliston), aerospace (GTA), food processing (Guelph, Brampton), pharmaceuticals (Mississauga), metals/Steel (Hamilton), and medical devices (Kitchener-Waterloo) are consistent employers.

Check official outlooks and postings:

Key Skills

Soft skills

  • Communication: Clear updates to Operations, Sales, Purchasing, and leadership.
  • Prioritization: Decide what must run now vs. later based on due dates and constraints.
  • Problem-solving: Manage shortages, breakdowns, and quality holds with calm and logic.
  • Collaboration: Work cross-functionally; influence without authority.
  • Customer focus: Protect due dates and manage expectations.
  • Time management: Handle a full queue of orders and frequent changes.
  • Attention to detail: Accurate data prevents costly errors.
  • Resilience: Stay steady under pressure; handle last-minute changes.

Hard skills

  • ERP/MRP: Creating work orders, running MRP, updating BOMs/routings, capacity checks. Systems include SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Epicor, Infor, SYSPRO.
  • Scheduling/APS: Finite capacity scheduling, constraints, and sequencing (e.g., Siemens Opcenter APS, PlanetTogether).
  • Excel/Analytics: VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, pivot tables, Power Query, and simple macros; Power BI or Tableau for dashboards.
  • Operations concepts: MPS, MRP, BOM, routings, takt time, cycle time, WIP, safety stock, Kanban, lead times, EOQ.
  • Quality and standards: ISO 9001; sector-specific like IATF 16949 (automotive) or AS9100 (aerospace).
  • Lean/Six Sigma: 5S, SMED (quick changeover), value stream mapping, root cause (5 Whys, Fishbone).
  • Data accuracy and master data governance: calendars, work centers, scrap factors, and effectivity dates.
  • Basic statistics: Demand variability, service levels, forecast error (MAPE), capacity utilization.
  • Compliance and safety: Understanding plant safety rules, lockout/tagout basics (for scheduling around maintenance).

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Real impact: You directly influence on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and plant performance.
  • Variety: Every day brings new priorities and problems to solve.
  • Transferable skills: MRP, scheduling, and Lean skills move across industries.
  • Career growth: Paths into Senior Planner, Master Scheduler, Materials Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Production Manager, or Industrial Engineer roles.
  • Competitive pay: Solid mid-level compensation with opportunities for overtime or bonuses.
  • Continuous learning: New ERP modules, analytics tools, and process improvements keep the role fresh.

Disadvantages

  • Pressure and deadlines: Customer commitments and machine downtime create stress.
  • Constant changes: Plans can shift multiple times a day.
  • Data challenges: Inaccurate BOMs/routings or inventory errors can derail schedules.
  • On-site demands: Many manufacturers require presence on the shop floor; fully remote is rare.
  • Overtime: Month-end, launches, and shortage periods may require extra hours.

Expert Opinion

If you want to break into production planning in Ontario, focus on three pillars: systems, process, and people.

  • Systems: Get hands-on with an ERP. Even if your school doesn’t offer SAP or Oracle, practice advanced Excel, learn MRP logic, and understand how BOMs and routings drive planned orders. A sandbox project—such as building a simple MRP in Excel or Power BI—can be a standout in interviews. Consider earning CPIM early; it proves you understand planning fundamentals employers value.

  • Process: Learn Lean. If you can reduce changeover times (SMED) or stabilize cycle times, your plan will stick. Employers love candidates who connect scheduling with real process improvements on the floor. Document one improvement project with measurable results (e.g., “cut changeover time by 25%, improved schedule adherence by 10%”).

  • People: Your plan only works if production, maintenance, and purchasing are on board. Practice clear, respectful communication. Summarize decisions, risks, and next steps in concise updates. Be transparent about constraints and trade-offs.

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In Ontario, co-op or internship experience in a plant is gold. Target manufacturers in automotive supply chains (Tier 1/Tier 2), food processing, and pharmaceuticals—these sectors often hire junior planners. If you’re switching careers, start as a Materials Coordinator, Production Control Clerk, or Scheduler Assistant, then move up within 12–24 months.

Finally, build your network. Join local supply chain and manufacturing groups, attend plant tours, and connect with planners and materials managers across the GTA, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, and Windsor. Many planning jobs aren’t posted for long; a referral can be the difference.

FAQ

Do I need to be a licensed engineer (P.Eng.) to work as a Production Planner in Ontario?

No. A P.Eng. is not required for most Production Planner or Production Scheduler roles. Employers typically look for a college diploma or bachelor’s degree in industrial/manufacturing engineering, supply chain, or operations, plus ERP/MRP experience. For information about engineering licensure in Ontario (optional for this role), see Professional Engineers Ontario: https://www.peo.on.ca

I’m internationally trained. How can I transition into production planning in Ontario?

Many internationally trained engineers and supply chain professionals move into planning by combining:

What entry-level roles lead to Production Planner?

Common stepping stones:

  • Production Control Clerk or Scheduler Assistant.
  • Materials/Inventory Coordinator or Planner/Buyer.
  • ERP/Master Data Analyst.
  • Industrial Engineering or Continuous Improvement Co-op.
    These roles build the data, materials, and process skills you need to own the schedule.

Is remote work possible for Production Planners in Ontario?

Some employers offer hybrid work (1–3 days remote), but fully remote roles are uncommon in manufacturing. You’ll often need to attend daily stand-ups, check progress on the floor, align with maintenance, and help solve problems in real time.

Which Ontario industries hire the most Production Planners?

  • Automotive and auto parts (Windsor, Oshawa, Cambridge, Alliston, Woodstock).
  • Aerospace (Toronto, Mississauga, Downsview corridor).
  • Food and beverage processing (Guelph, Brampton, Vaughan).
  • Pharmaceuticals and medical devices (Mississauga, Markham, Kitchener-Waterloo).
  • Metals/steel and fabrication (Hamilton-Niagara).
  • Packaging, electronics, furniture (GTA and Southwestern Ontario).
    Use Ontario’s labour market site for regional trends: https://www.ontario.ca/page/labour-market

What software should I prioritize learning first?

Start with Excel (pivot tables, lookups, Power Query), then learn the logic of MRP and capacity planning. If possible, gain exposure to SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics 365. For analytics, Power BI is a strong plus. If you can, experiment with an APS tool (e.g., Siemens Opcenter APS) to understand finite scheduling.

Where can I verify the official occupation classification for Production Planners?

Production planning and scheduling work is captured under NOC 2021 code 13201 “Production and transportation logistics coordinators.” See the official NOC structure: https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/Code/13201

Tips to get started today (Ontario-focused):

  • Shortlist two schools and one certification that match your situation (see links above).
  • Build a one-page portfolio piece: a sample schedule, MRP run, or KPI dashboard.
  • Search “production planner” and “scheduler” on the Job Bank: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/occupationsearch
  • Join a local professional network and consider reaching out to OACETT if you’re a technologist: https://www.oacett.org

With the right mix of education, tools, and people skills, you can grow into a Production Planner who keeps Ontario’s factories running smoothly—and customers happy with on-time delivery.

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