Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
Description OES Code:58008
Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties, which are primarily clerical in nature, include reviewing and distributing production schedules and work orders; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work and production problems. Work may also include scheduling workers and estimating costs; routing and delivering parts to insure production quotas are met; scheduling shipment of parts; keeping inventory of material in departments; insuring vendors ship merchandise on promised date; and writing special orders for services and merchandise. Exclude workers whose primary duties are weighing, measuring, and checking merchandise, supplies, and equipment. Exclude workers who engage in material expediting of a nonclerical nature.

Wages, California
Entry Level $10.49
25th Percentile $11.49
50th Percentile $14.75
75th Percentile $20.53

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry Level minimum
25th Percentile $6.26
50th Percentile $10.53
75th Percentile $16.90

Hours and Benifits
For various jobs within the Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and Distributing occupations, which includes Production, Planning, and Expediting clerks, the workweek is 40 hours. Workers in these occupations usually receive the same benefits as most other workers. If uniforms are required, employers usually either provide the uniforms, or an allowance to purchase them.

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 33,500
Projected Employment 2008 36,200
Percent Change 1998-2008 8.1%
Separations 1998-2008 4,100

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 270
Projected Employment 2006 300
Percent Change 1999-2006 11.1%
Separations 1999-2006 20

Employment Trends by California County

Working Conditions
Production, planning, and expediting clerks work closely with supervisors who must approve production and work schedules. Most jobs for shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks, stock clerks and order fillers, and cargo and freight agents involve frequent standing, bending, walking, and stretching. Some lifting and carrying of smaller items also may be involved. Although automation devices have lessened the physical demands of this occupation, their use remains somewhat limited. Work still can be strenuous, even though mechanical material handling equipment is employed to move heavy items.

Advancement
Advancement Opportunities for jobs within the Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and Distributing occupations (which include Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks) vary with the place of employment. Those who work for private firms, which are usually smaller, will find few opportunities for advancement.

Getting The Job & Other Information
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks may find employment opportunities in following industries: special trade contractors, food and kindred products, bakery products, lumber and wood products, paper and allied products, printing and publishing, rubber and misc. plastic products, primary metal industries, fabricated metal products, industrial machinery and equipment, electronic and other electric equipment, transportation equipment, instruments and related products, miscellaneous manufacturing industries, trucking and warehousing, air transportation, communications, electric, gas, and sanitary services, wholesale trade, general merchandise stores, business services such as advertising, personnel supply services or data processing, health services, and engineering & management services.

For a list of current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Many in the Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and Distributing occupations (which includes Production, Planning, and Expediting clerks) are entry level and do not require more than a high school diploma. Employers, however, increasingly prefer to hire those familiar with computers and other electronic office and business, dispatching, or specific job-related experience may be preferred. Trainees usually develop the necessary skills on the job. This informal training lasts from several days to a few months, depending on the complexity of the job.

Skills & Other Requirements
Because the nature of the work is to communicate effectively with other people, good oral and written communications skills are essential. Typing, filing, recordkeeping, and other clerical skills are also important. Specifically, production, planning, and expediting clerks may need to apply industry terms/concepts, follow/give instructions, manage inventories and supplies, operate business machines, organize & work with detailed office or warehouse records, prioritize tasks, process/prepare business/government forms, provide customer service, use computers, including word processing software, use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling, use inventory control procedures.

References
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

Related Occupations: Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching and Distributing Occupations

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)