Operations managers are often the glue that holds an organization together. They are responsible for human resources, operations, budgets, project delivery, and strategy. A good or bad manager can affect or disrupt the delivery of a product or service.
Careers in Operations Management are diverse, and the rewards can be plentiful. Here you will gain insight into the role across various sectors and hear from people with experience in the role and the hiring process.
An operations manager is an important part of a management team and oversees high-level HR tasks such as: attracting talent and setting training standards and recruitment processes.
You will also analyze and improve organizational processes and work to improve quality, productivity, and efficiency. They are sometimes referred to as the Chief Operating Officer or COO.
In this writing, we will take a look at the Best Operations Manager Job Description Sample for 2023.
Table of contents
Who is an Operations Manager?
In short, the operations manager is the person who ensures the smooth running of operations in an organization or business.
While the job can be very different, there are common characteristics and responsibilities.
A good operations manager is responsible for ensuring that processes are followed and that teams are supported collaboratively to continually improve those processes.
What Does an Operations Manager Do?
You may be wondering what an operations manager does all day and how the operations manager job role differs from the role you may already hold or how your degree can fit into an operations management career.
The operations manager’s role varies by seniority and specialty, but there are some commonalities.
Their roles are typically broken down into five key areas: people, core operations, budgets, project delivery, and strategy.
As Operations Manager, you will be responsible for leading a team of people, which includes both engaging and developing those people.
Some core operations responsibilities include procurement or recruiting, hiring, and financial processes such as invoicing.
This is linked to the budgeting aspects of the role where the operations manager must manage margins, costs, budgeting, and forecasting.
Project delivery functions include supply assurance, quality assurance, customer delivery, and relationship management; while strategic responsibilities reside in operational plans and strategy support.
There are a number of duties that apply only to Operations Managers. For example, you must be able to match individuals with client needs to align the goals and objectives of both sides.
The role also includes driving growth strategy and balancing global needs. The role may normally be 9-5 but depending on the industry, you may need to work shifts or part-time.
Since an operations manager is responsible for the smooth running of the service or organization, overtime is often unavoidable.
The career prospects for an operations manager are good thanks to the holistic orientation of the role and the existing experience.
A plant manager’s responsibilities may also include supporting the production planning process and ensuring that key performance indicators (KPIs) are in place and production targets are being met.
What Responsibilities Do Operations Managers Have?
Operations Manager Responsibilities may include:
- Management of inventory control and inventory checks.
- Keep a sharp eye on budgets and budget changes.
- Communicate changes in an ordering process to relevant parties.
- Ensure that health and safety regulations are followed.
- Document procedures for third-party monitoring.
- Creation and monitoring of projects and teams.
- Review of workload and staff to ensure objectives are being met.
- Supporting the vision and process ideals of the CEO or executive team.
- Ensure that employees working on processes are happy and working efficiently.
- Support for all functions of the company to work together.
Why Should I Become an Operational Manager?
While an operations manager’s day-to-day duties can change, the personal development opportunities are enormous.
The financial rewards of being an operations manager can be very good, with a competitive average salary and the opportunity to earn well locally.
Career opportunities are good for anyone who becomes a manager, with many moving into very senior positions or running their own businesses.
How Much are Operational Managers Paid?
A manager’s salary can be very good, and the industries with the highest salaries for manager jobs are engineering, manufacturing, and utilities. The average salary for a manager is $103,000 as of 2021.
Where Should an Operations Manager Work?
Operations managers work across industries and in all company sizes. Basically, every business or organization running operations needs a manager.
We tend to think of operations like manufacturing, logistics, and engineering, but operations managers also work in the legal, hospitality, and public sectors to name a few.
Many also work for specialized operations management companies that outsource their services.
Depending on the industry, and operations manager may work primarily in an office, but with required site and supplier visits.
For example, a transportation operations manager might have an office but spends much of his time on the transportation system, reviewing processes, and talking to people.
How Do You Become an Operations Manager?
The application process for an Operations Manager position typically consists of submitting a CV that meets the criteria and attending an interview (and any follow-up interviews).
Because an operations manager’s job requirements typically require a deep understanding of business processes, this role is also good for networking, so it’s worth reaching out to people you’ve worked for in other departments for referrals.
A successful application must demonstrate good operational management experience and the qualities and skills required to fulfill the role.
An awareness of the overall management of a company is an advantage. Attention to detail is vital to the role, ensure you convey this in your application.
Proven work experience in operations, operations, and/or general management is essential to becoming an operations manager, and formal qualifications are practical but not essential, although some roles may require you to have or study a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
What Skills Does an Operational Manager Need?
There are certain key skills that are critical to being a good manager, and manager skills are often extremely transferrable.
The operations manager skills list may include transferrable skills such as:
- Negotiation skills.
- Data processing skills.
- Financial management skills.
- Conflict Management Skills.
- People management skills.
- And role-specific skills like:
- Understand warehouse management systems.
- Understand operational processes.
- Project management skills.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Be an Operations Manager?
It is possible to obtain formal operations manager qualifications. Although experience is more important when applying for a managerial position, a degree in operations management will open some doors.
Other formal routes to operations management include degrees in business administration, accounting, engineering, project management, or in fields related to the industry you wish to work in.
Some recruiters may indicate that candidates have or are working toward a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in a related field.
He/she is expected to be familiar with a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures.
They are to rely on extensive operational management experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals and key performance indicators.
They will be performing a variety of tasks. Lead and direct the work of others.
Operations Manager Job Description Template
Our expanding company is seeking an Operations Manager to join our leadership team.
You will be responsible for providing inspired leadership for the operations of one of our organization’s businesses, which includes making key policy and strategic decisions and developing and implementing operational policies and procedures.
If necessary, you will also support our HR department with recruitment and promote a corporate culture that promotes morale and performance.
Successful candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in operations management (or a related field) and previous experience in a management or leadership position.
A deep understanding of financial management is also beneficial.
Here is a comprehensive summary of the Operations manager’s responsibilities:
- Provide inspired leadership for the organization.
- Make important policy, planning and strategy decisions.
- Develop, implement and review operational policies and procedures.
- Assist HR with recruitment as needed.
- Help foster a company culture that encourages excellence and high morale.
- Supervision of budgeting, reporting, planning and auditing.
- Work with high-level stakeholders.
- Ensure all legal and regulatory documents are on file and monitor compliance with laws and regulations.
- Work with the board of directors to determine values and mission and to plan short- and long-term goals.
- Identify and address issues and opportunities for the business.
- Build alliances and partnerships with other organizations.
- Facilitate employee communication with the management team.
- Operations Manager Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management or a related field.
- Experience in management, operations and leadership.
- Understanding of general finance and budgeting including income statement, balance sheet and cash flow management.
- Ability to build consensus and relationships between managers, partners and employees.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Solid understanding of financial management.
Conclusion
The job of an Operations Manager can be hard work but extremely rewarding, with demonstrable results and a real impact on business outcomes.
A good operations manager is responsible for ensuring that processes are followed and that teams are supported collaboratively to continuously improve those processes.
References
- Operations Manager Job Description – Betterteam
- Operations Manager job description | Totaljobs
- Operations Manager Job Description (Examples) – TopResume
- Operations Manager – Job Descriptions – Human Resources
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