Operations Manager: Job profile

An operations manager is responsible for the design and control of business operations of one or several departments of a company or the whole company. The main task is to oversee the department’s or company’s procedures and enforce the policies. This includes controlling procedures, analysing them and improving processes when necessary. This makes the role of an operations manager a highly versatile and challenging job. You will need profound analytical skills, financial knowledge and good communication skills as well as leadership qualities. The role of an operations manager is the ideal staring point of a career in general management.

Short Summary

• An operations manager is responsible for running daily management functions of a department or company, such as operating policies, customer issues, safety measures and HR-duties.
• This role requires excellent experience with statistical analysis and data processing as well as critical thinking and communication skills
• A successful operations manager needs to build strong budget development knowledge and oversight skills, as well as train in conflict management and business negotiation processes.

Job description

As an operations manager, you are responsible for a wide range of duties concerning the day-to-day management functions of a department or a company. Your core responsibilities are to oversee operational systems, processes and HR-topics and safety measures. Operations managers play a significant role in controlling and long-term planning, as well as implementing change control processes. Therefore, the work of an operations manager has a significant impact on the success of the company or department.

Responsibilities

• Planning and developing of operational strategies
• Identifying areas of improvement in operational processes and developing strategies for improvement
• Managing budgeting and cost controlling
• HR-duties such as recruiting, training and supervising staff members
• Management of inventory
• Control of quality by implementing quality control measures
• Identifying potential risks and developing suitable strategies
• Ensuring the communication and collaboration with other departmentss

Different types of Operations Managers

• Business Operations Managers
• Field Operations Managers
• Healthcare Operations Managers
• Construction Operations Managers

Salary

The annual salary you can expect to earn as an operations manager depends on various aspects, such as your experience, the industry you work in and the size of your employer. The average annual income of an operations manager is about £40,000. On an entry level, you might earn as much as £30,000 whereas senior operations managers can earn up to £70,000 or even more than that. Many operations managers are also granted compensation packages that include allowances such as medical insurance.

Working hours

The role of an operations manager might typically be a 9am to 5am job. But working hours might also vary depending on the industry you are employed in. Healthcare operations managers, for example, will rather not work typical office hours because doctors and nurses do not work typical office hours. As an operations manager, you are responsible for the smooth running of an organisation or service, which in the case of a hospital, will not be 9am to 5pm.

Employers

Operations managers are employed by both the private sector and the public sector. Many industries, such as banks, hospitals and companies that work with suppliers, employ operations managers. Within an institution or company, operations managers are of major importance for the departments of marketing, finance, human resources and supply chains. 

Qualifications

There are no legal requirements for any formal qualifications that you have to possess to become an operations manager. Nevertheless, you might consider at least an undergraduate course in business administration or management.

If you intend to climb up the career ladder and achieve a senior management position in the future, you should consider aiming for a bachelor’s or even master’s degree.

Operations managers need a variety of different qualifications to be able to fulfil the versatile tasks their job includes. The most important relevant degree subjects for a successful career as an operations manager are

• Business administration, commerce, accounting and management
• Industrial technology or engineering
• Project management

Skills

In addition to profound knowledge of relevant laws, management systems, finance and HR, an operations manager needs a versatile skill set to successfully oversee the company’s procedures and enforce the policies. The following three skills are the most fundamental ones that applicants are expected to possess:

• Planning and organisation
• Data analyses
• Budget Management

Planning and Organizing

As an operations manager, it is your responsibility to not only manage your own workload and resources but to overview and handle several projects and processes within your department or institution. It is one of your main tasks to help other staff members with organising and planning their workload.

As an operations manager, you need to have profound knowledge of tools that help to plan, organise and control processes within an institution.

Organizational skills also include the ability to prioritize tasks, set goals, manage time effectively, and develop systems that help other staff members to expand their organizational skills.

Data Analyses

Data analyses are the ability to identify and define problems, gather relevant data, and develop a solution to the problem. There are specific methods, which you will use to analyse processes, detect problems and find a solution. 

Data analyses are fact-based. You collect data, break down complex information, and use these facts to support evidence. Therefore, you need profound knowledge of tools that are used to collect and control data and keep records of processes.

Budget Management

Managing the budget is the process of overseeing the incomes and expenses of a department or an institution. Tracking down both the costs and the profits of each department or project is crucial for the success of a business.

Budget management includes two main responsibilities: preparation and tracking. Preparing business budgets includes determining expenses, setting spending limits, and creating a system that tracks risks of unbalanced budgets at an early stage. In addition, managing the budget of a department or institution includes the day-to-day task of overseeing all expanses and incomes.

Career Path

When you want to succeed as an operations manager, you will need at least three years of experience in a relevant field. Most employers expect candidates to possess at least a bachelor’s degree and specific business certifications.

Educational Background

Although are no formal requirements, most operations managers hold a bachelor’s degree in business, operation management or related field. A master’s degree in business administration is relevant if operations management is considered to be just the first step up the career ladder.

Even at entry-level candidates will be expected to have certifications in business administration, business management and accounting. In addition, successful operations managers need to possess profound knowledge of quality, safety, and HR-measures.

Gaining Experience

In an entry-level position, operations managers are expected to possess at least three years of experience in general budgeting, project management or another relevant field. Before starting your career as an operations manager, you will work as an operations analyst or assistant operations manager.

Operations managers with several years of experience and a proven track record of successfully being responsible for any department, you might step up the career ladder and apply for a senior management or executive position. In this role, you might be responsible for several departments or even making decisions that impact the entire company or institution. 

Continuous Learning

Operations managers need to be committed to lifelong learning. As operations managers are responsible for budget and legal aspects of an institution, they need profound and up-to-date knowledge in these fields.

Continuous learning includes taking party in specific trainings and workshops as well as reading relevant publications, and taking part in conferences. The most important fields operations managers have to keep up-to-date in are: project analyses, service operations, quality management, and inventory management.

A Day in the Life of an Operations Manager

As an operations manager, you ensure that the business processes of your organisation run smoothly and cost-effectively. Your typical day as an operations manager depends on the specifics of the industry you work in. Unexpected new orders or problems with a mayor client or supplier might make it necessary to re-prioritize your schedule. But mainly, your typical day as an operations manager will include the following

Monitoring Operations

Monitoring operations is the main task of an operations manager. This includes the monitoring of budgets as well as processes. It is party of your typical day to review reports, analyse data, and identify areas for improvement. Part of this ongoing monitoring-process are regular meetings with colleagues from HR, finance and the law department.

Problem-solving

In every company, there are surprises during the day, like unexpected new orders, problems with suppliers or customer complaints. As an operations manager, it is your job to handle unexpected issues and emergencies as they arise. In these cases, you have to collect all necessary information first and then decide on the best available way to de-escalate the situation.

Networking

As an operations manager, you will work together with different departments and external partners. Therefore, networking is a crucial part of your work. This includes attending meetings, seminars and industry conferences.

In addition, networking includes meeting with stakeholders. Operations managers may meet up with other managers, executives, and clients to discuss projects, address concerns, and provide reports.

Tips for Thriving as an Operations Manager

It takes numerous diverse skills and qualifications to thrive in operations management. A successful operations manager needs to be an effective communicator, prioritize efficiently, and has to have a keen eye for details. Here are some tips on what it takes to be successful as an operations manager:

• Management Skills
• Communicational Skills
• Strong Leadership

Therefore, you might want to focus on these three skills.

Management skills

Operations managers need to be able to lead and supervise others. In addition to skills such as planning, organizing and controlling operations managers have to improve common management skills such as decision-making, conflict resolution as well as adaptability and flexibility. Furthermore, you need profound and up-to-date financial management skills. 

Communicational skills

As an operations manager, you are responsible for the management of the overall operations of your department or institution. This includes communicating with team members, executives and clients. It is crucial to communicate effectively. Therefore, your communication has to be conversational and realistic as well clear. It is your responsibility to ensure that deadlines and budgets are met, and compliance aspects are taken seriously. Therefore, you have to constantly strengthen your communicational skills if you want to thrive as an operations manager.

Strong Leadership

As an operations manager, it is your responsibility to effectively guide and influence others towards achieving a goal. Natural leaders are typically confident, decisive, and have a clear vision that they are able to communicate effectively. In addition, leadership qualities include strong interpersonal skills such as empathy and the ability to build relationships with others.

Frequently Asked Questions