Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks

Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

This role centers on coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems..
The work relies on reading comprehension and speaking among the skills shown below.
Common backgrounds include high school or ged and a range of related job titles.

Quick facts

Top skillReading ComprehensionHighest importance score at 3.62

Most common educationHigh school or GEDReported by 36.75% of workers

Typical experience1–2 yearsReported by 29.59% of workers

Job title variations134 titlesCommon titles found in source data

What this career is really about

Day-to-day success depends on skills such as reading comprehension and speaking. These abilities support the communication, problem-solving, and coordination that the work requires.

Education paths vary, but high school or ged is the most commonly reported background. Related work experience also plays a role, with many workers bringing relevant practice before stepping into this position.

This career suits people who want a structured role with clear skill and education signals drawn from real workforce data.

Common job titles

Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks may appear under many titles. The names below come directly from the source dataset and reflect different employer naming conventions for similar responsibilities.

Advertising Dispatch Clerk
Aircraft Log Clerk
Alterations Workroom Clerk
Assignment Agent
Assignment Clerk
Automated Logistical Specialist
Back Shoe Worker
Batch Records Clerk
Beef Tagger
Billet Recorder
Box Estimator
Clerical Production Worker
Computer Processing Scheduler
Computerized Mill Recorder
Control Clerk
Crew Scheduler
Customer Supply Coordinator
Cycle Counter
Data Processing Control Clerk
Dispatcher Clerk
Ends Breakage Clerk
Engineering Document Control Clerk
Expeditor
Expeditor Clerk
Extension Clerk
Fabric and Accessories Estimator
Follow Up Clerk
Formula Clerk
Frequency Checker
Gas Flow Regulator
Inventory Analyst
Inventory Auditor
Inventory Control Coordinator
Inventory Control Specialist
Inventory Controller
Inventory Coordinator
Inventory Management Specialist
Inventory Planner
Inventory Technician
Jacket Preparer
Jewelry Estimator
Job Checker
Job Estimator
Job Spotter
Job Tracer
Kit Planner
Labor Expediter
Load Planner
Locomotive Lubricating Systems Clerk
Logistics Clerk
Lot Worker
Lumber Estimator
Machine Stoppage Frequency Checker
Maintenance Scheduler
Manufacturing Planner
Material Control Clerk
Material Coordinator
Material Requirements Planner (MRP)
Materials Clerk
Materials Control Clerk
Materials Controller
Materials Coordinator
Materials Dispatcher
Materials Expediter
Materials Lister
Materials Man
Materials Planner
Materials Requisitioner
Materials Scheduler
Materials Worker
Metal Checker
Metal Control Coordinator
Metal Flow Coordinator
Mill Order Scheduler
Mill Recorder
Millwork Estimator
Order Detailer
Order Dispatcher
Order Expediter
Order Planner
Order Schedule Clerk
Paperboard Boxes Estimator
Paperboard Products Production Scheduler
Parts Cataloguer
Parts Coordinator
Parts Expediter
Personnel Scheduler
Piece Goods Clerk
Planning Technician
Plant Clerk
Printing Estimator
Procurement Cost Coordinator
Production Assistant
Production Associate
Production Checker
Production Clerk
Production Control Coordinating Clerk (PC Coordinating Clerk)
Production Control Coordinator (PC Coordinator)
Production Control Expeditor (PC Expeditor)
Production Control Planner (PC Planner)
Production Controller
Production Coordinator
Production Counter
Production Dispatcher
Production Expeditor
Production Planner
Production Scheduler
Progress Clerk
Pullman Car Clerk
Relay Record Clerk
Repair Clerk
Repair Order Clerk
Reproduction Order Processor
Requisition Approver
Retort Load Expeditor
Schedule Checker
Schedule Clerk
Schedule Maker
Scheduling Coordinator
Scheduling Specialist
Service Order Expeditor
Shop Router
Stock Chaser
Television Production Clerk
Television Schedule Coordinator
Ticket Scheduler
Timer
Transportation Coordinator
Unit Supply Specialist
Upholstery Estimator
Weave Defect Charting Clerk
Work Ticket Distributor
Yardage Control Clerk
Yardage Estimator

Skills that carry the work

The skill pattern shows reading comprehension as the leading requirement, followed by speaking and active listening. These strengths shape how workers perform the core duties described above.

Reading Comprehension

3.62

Speaking

3.62

Active Listening

3.5

Critical Thinking

3.38

Writing

3.12

Monitoring

3.12

Scores shown on a 0–5 scale using the importance value from the provided skills table.

Education

The education distribution is varied. High school or GED is the single largest group at 36.75%. Other credentials are also represented, indicating multiple possible paths into this career.

High school or GED36.75%

Some college21.17%

Less Than High School19.48%

Associate degree13.21%

Post-secondary certificate9.4%

High school or GED is most common

About 36.75% of workers in this role report high school or ged as their highest level of education.

Several educational routes appear

Other reported backgrounds include some college and less than high school, showing flexibility in preparation.

Reported backgrounds, not requirements

These figures describe the education workers have reported, not a mandatory checklist for entering the role.

Experience

Experience levels vary. The largest group reports 1–2 years, followed by none required. This suggests that many people enter the role after building relevant experience.

1–2 years29.59%

None required19.48%

Up to 1 month14.16%

6–8 years11.33%

More than 10 years11.33%

3–6 months6.72%

6–12 months6.26%

2–4 years1.14%

A realistic way into this career

There is no single path into this role. Many people build related skills and experience first, then move into positions with greater responsibility. The steps below are a common pattern.

Build foundational skills

Start in roles that develop reading comprehension and speaking. These abilities form the base for the day-to-day work described in the source data.

Gain related experience

Work in adjacent positions where you can apply those skills in real situations. This builds judgment, confidence, and the practical knowledge employers look for.

Move into the target role

With relevant experience and the right credentials, step into a production, planning, and expediting clerks position and take on the full scope of responsibilities.

Good fit signals

Comfort with structured tasks

You work best when there are clear processes, goals, and measurable outcomes to track.

Strong communication habits

You can apply skills like reading comprehension and speaking to coordinate with others and keep work moving.

Willingness to keep learning

You are open to building experience and education over time rather than expecting an instant entry path.