Operations Manager

An Operations Manager specializes in overseeing operations across an entire organization. These responsibilities may be cross-functional, spanning everything from marketing and sales to supply chain management and finance. Ultimately, Operations Managers must possess a combination of business acumen, technical expertise, and interpersonal skills to improve processes and maintain efficient workflows.

What Does an Operations Manager Do?

In a typical day, an Operations Manager can expect to:

• Collaborate with multiple teams on projects
• Assess current operations for areas of improvement
• Identify and resolve inefficiencies in processes

Operations Managers might also:

• Develop, implement a comprehensive management strategy
• Coordinate budgets, monitor expenses
• Hire, train, and supervise staff

To be successful, the ideal Operations Manager will have a solid background in business fundamentals, including finance, marketing, and operations. Since these professionals will need to work with individuals from across the organization, strong interpersonal skills are also essential for success in this role.

Education and Training

Most Operations Manager have a bachelor's degree in business, operations management, or a related field, although some may hold an MBA. In addition to their education, many Operations Managers also have experience in a related field, such as operations, supply chain management, or project management.

Skills

Operations Managers must have a wide range of skills to be successful, including:

• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making
• Leadership
• Project management
• Finance
• Operations management
• Supply chain management

Career Growth and Outlook

Operations Managers often advance to more senior management positions, such as General Manager or Chief Operating Officer. They may also move into consulting or other related fields.

The employment of Operations Managers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.

Transferable Skills

The skills that Operations Managers develop can be transferred to other careers, such as:

• Management Consulting
• Supply Chain Management
• Project Management
• Business Analysis
• Finance

Self-Guided Projects

Students interested in becoming an Operations Manager can complete self-guided projects to better prepare themselves for the role, such as:

• Conducting a process improvement project
• Developing an operations management plan
• Managing a team on a project
• Shadowing an Operations Manager

Online Courses

Online courses can be a valuable tool for learning about the skills needed to become an Operations Manager. These courses typically cover topics such as:

• Operations management
• Supply chain management
• Project management
• Business analysis
• Finance

Online courses can be a helpful way to supplement traditional education or gain new skills for career advancement. However, it's important to note that online courses alone are not enough to prepare someone for a career as an Operations Manager. In addition to online courses, aspiring Operations Managers should also gain practical experience through internships or other hands-on learning opportunities.

Personal Growth

Operations Managers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. This role requires a high level of responsibility and decision-making, which can help individuals develop their leadership and problem-solving skills.

Additionally, Operations Managers often have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and initiatives, which can help them expand their knowledge and expertise.