Production Scheduler - Contract Manufacturing

The Production Scheduler – Contract Manufacturing is responsible for developing, coordinating, and maintaining a detailed, time phased production schedule for our partner Yongtuo. The role ensures external production plans are aligned with Watts’ demand, service, inventory, and working capital objectives, while respecting supplier capacity, constraints, labor availability, and site specific operating rules.

This role acts as the primary scheduling interface between Watts and Yongtuo, driving predictable execution, schedule adherence, and on time, in full delivery performance despite indirect control of assets. Success in this role directly impacts customer service, supply continuity, and trust with both customers and manufacturing partners.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Production Planning & Scheduling

Translate Watts supply plans and customer demand signals into feasible finite production schedules at Yongtuo

Build and maintain detailed schedules by SKU, line, and time bucket (shift/day/week as appropriate to site capability)

Partner with S&OP functions to discuss demand requirements against supplier‑provided capacity, labor models, yields, run rates, and changeover logic

Sequence production to optimize service levels, and supplier efficiency while minimizing expediting and volatility

Execution & Supplier Coordination

Serve as the primary scheduling point of contact for external factories

Collaborate closely with supplier production, maintenance, and quality teams to:

Address execution gaps, delays, and constraints

Incorporate planned downtime, line restrictions, or quality holds

Resolve short‑term disruptions with minimal impact to customer service

Monitor daily/weekly execution vs. plan and escalate risks proactively when output deviates from commitments

Customer & Service Protection

Proactively identify and communicate service risks, delivery impacts, and recovery actions

Ensure schedule changes are aligned with S&OP and S&OE decisions and clearly communicated to internal stakeholders

Support root cause analysis when KPIs such as line fill rate, OTIF, or production attainment fall below target

Scenario Modeling & Decision Support

Conduct “what‑if” analysis to assess impacts of:

Supplier disruptions or capacity changes

Demand volatility or priority order changes

Material constraints or quality events

Recommend trade‑offs and mitigation plans that balance customer service, cost, and supplier capability

Systems & Data Governance

Maintain and validate supplier scheduling master data, including:

Run rates, yields, minimum batch sizes

Capacity limits and constraint logic

Changeover matrices and sequencing rules

Track actual performance vs. plan and drive data corrections with suppliers and internal teams

Ensure schedules reflect contractual agreements and operational realities

EMPLOYEE CORE COMPETENCIES:

Collaborate Across Workgroups

Initiate Positive Change

Deliver High Quality Results

Focus on the Customer

Develop Self and Others

Accountability

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field

APICS certification (CPIM/CSCP) preferred

5+ years of experience in production scheduling, supply planning, or manufacturing planning (experience with contract or outsourced manufacturing strongly preferred)

Strong understanding of MRP, finite scheduling, and capacity planning

Ability to influence external partners and internal stakeholders without direct reporting authority

Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills

Fluent English and Chinese is a must