Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
(O*NET 43-5061.00)

	Nature of the Work
Production, planning, and expediting clerks coordinate and expedite the flow of information, work, and materials 
within or among offices.  Most of their work is done according to production, work, or shipment schedules.  The 
schedules are reviewed and distributed after being considered by supervisors who determine work progress and 
completion dates.  Production, planning, and expediting clerks compile reports on progress of work and 
production problems.  They also may schedule workers, estimate costs, schedule shipment of parts, keep 
inventory of materials, inspect and assemble materials, and write special orders for services and merchandise.  In 
addition, they may route and deliver parts to ensure that production quotas are met and that merchandise is 
delivered on the date promised. 
Production and planning clerks compile records and reports on various aspects of production, such as 
materials and parts used, products produced, machine and instrument readings, and frequency of defects.  They 
prepare and distribute work tickets or other production guides to workers.  They coordinate, schedule, monitor, 
and chart production and its progress, either manually or using electronic equipment.  Production and planning 
clerks also gather information from customer orders or other specifications to prepare a detailed production sheet 
that serves as a guide in assembly or manufacture of the product.
Expediting clerks contact vendors and shippers to ensure that merchandise, supplies, and equipment are 
forwarded on the specified shipping dates.  They communicate with transportation companies to prevent delays 
in transit, and they may arrange for distribution of materials upon arrival.  They may even visit work areas of 
vendors and shippers to check the status of orders.  Expediting clerks locate and distribute materials to specified 
production areas.  They may inspect products for quality and quantity to ensure adherence to specifications.  
They also keep a chronological list of due dates and may move work not meeting the production schedule to the 
front. 

	Employment
In 2000, production, planning, and expediting clerks held 332,000 jobs.  Jobs in manufacturing made up 44 
percent and jobs in wholesale trade and groceries and related products comprised about 6 percent.  About 8 
percent worked in the personnel supply services industry.

	Job Outlook
Employment of production, planning, and expediting clerks is expected to grow about as fast as the average for 
all occupations through 2010.  As increasing pressure is put on companies to get things produced and delivered 
more quickly and efficiently, the need for production, planning, and expediting clerks will grow.  The work of 
production, planning, and expediting clerks is less likely to be automated than is that of many other 
administrative support occupations.  In addition to openings due to employment growth, many additional job 
openings will arise from the need to replace production, planning, and expediting clerks who leave the labor 
force or transfer to other occupations.

	Related Occupations
Other workers who coordinate the flow of information to assist the production process include cargo and freight 
agents; shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks; stock clerks and order fillers; and weighers, measurers, checkers, 
and samplers, recordkeeping.

	Sources of Additional Information
Information about job opportunities may be obtained from local employers and local offices of the State 
employment service.

(See introduction to the section on material recording, scheduling, dispatching, and distributing occupations 
for information on working conditions, training requirements, and earnings.)