Pursuing a Career as an Operations Manager?

Answer 1

What is operations management and why is it such a pivotal role for businesses? Operations management is the process of managing a company’s entire internal structure. It involves ensuring the work processes from one department to the next are seamless and efficient. In essence, operations managers must manage the day to day operations of the company in the most cost efficient manner possible. This involves managing a company’s manufacturing, procurement, logistics and inventory departments. Operations managers are responsible for ensuring that a company’s work processes and procedures protect the company’s interests while ensuring the most efficient process possible. Operations managers must be analytical, forthright and have the ability to provide immediate solutions and the intestinal fortitude to see them to their successful completion. Because operation managers are involved in multiple business functions, they must be adept at managing multiple departments and tasks. In most cases, operations managers are involved in departmental budgets and setting up cross-functional project teams to handle company wide issues. What’s needed to become an operations manager and what can one expect in terms of salary?

APICS membership, operations management & business administration degrees are preferred

A number of operations managers are APICS (American Productivity & Inventory Control Society) members. This affords them the opportunity to keep their skills and business knowledge up to date. For the individual looking to get started, a degree in operations management and business administration provides the perfect foundation. Since operations managers are involved in a myriad of business functions, they must be well versed in the costs and necessities of running a business.

Salary and career aspirations for operations managers

Entry level positions for operations managers typically pay around $45,000.00 annually. However, because the scope of the operation manager is so large, there really isn’t a ceiling on salary or career. Many operations managers make lateral movements into other departments or even upward movements to becoming a president, CEO or even a board member of a publically traded company. In terms of being an operations manager and discussing career and salary aspirations, an argument can be made that the skies the limit!

Operations managers are critical to managing the day to day operations and costs of companies. Because they are involved in so many aspects of business, they are an essential component in a company’s ability to improve its service capabilities and controlling costs.