what is an operations manager?

As an operations manager, you run an organisation's daily functions. That involves planning and implementing production processes to improve quality, productivity and performance. Your primary role is to oversee company procedures and enforce policies. For instance, you identify the perfect balance between expenses and revenue. That means you must optimise costs to maintain a company's financial health without compromising the quality or short-changing customers.

Apart from formulating company processes and policies, operations managers also oversee company resources. These include raw materials, labour and capital. As an operations manager, you supervise and control all production elements to ensure maximum productivity. Sometimes, you have to carry out human resource functions to improve employee engagement and productivity.

what does an operations manager do?

An operations manager is crucial in every industry, including manufacturing, healthcare, construction and retail. Your job is to manage the resources available to achieve a company's goals. For instance, you oversee inventory and sales representatives to increase sales in retail.

In manufacturing, you supervise production processes and minimise costs without affecting quality standards. In construction, you ensure all materials are utilised as expected and manage workers on-site to ensure you complete projects within the scheduled time.

operations manager jobs
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average salary of an operations manager

The average salary of an operations manager is $110,000 per year. The remuneration package usually ranges from $90,000 to $130,000 per year, depending on the company's payment policy and your experience level.

The remuneration package also includes allowances and non-monetary benefits. For instance, operations managers often get medical insurance and various allowances to facilitate their responsibilities. Some companies also provide house and car allowances. Paid annual leave days and bonuses are among the perks operations managers enjoy.

what factors affect the salary of an operations manager?

Your salary as an operations manager relies on various factors. For instance, your position in the company hierarchy can influence your pay. If you are an operations manager in charge of one department, your salary is lower than someone overseeing an entire company. As an operations manager for a single department, your responsibilities and qualifications are minimal.

An operations manager in the whole company often carries out complex tasks. Your experience also influences your remuneration due to the transferrable skills you bring to the company. Employers will pay more for your expertise when you have years of experience in operations.

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operations manager
operations manager
operations manager salary
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types of operations managers

Operations manager roles vary depending on the industry they work in. Some include:

business operations manager

  • As a business operations manager, you supervise various departments in a company. You must ensure company resources are optimised to improve business outcomes by promoting efficiency and productivity.

field operations manager

  • As a field operations manager, you implement field marketing and sales initiatives. You are responsible for training and hiring field sales representatives, evaluating performance and managing the logistics of marketing activities.

healthcare operations manager

  • Your job is to improve the efficiency and quality of patient services. You ensure the hospital operates within budget by optimising resources and resolving workflow issues.

construction operations manager

  • As a construction operations manager, you supervise various building projects and ensure the proper allocation of resources. You also develop efficient ways to improve construction standards and enhance commercial value.
smiling female
smiling female
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working as an operations manager

Operations managers work in industry and manufacturing and perform various functions to ensure the smooth running of business processes.

Below are the tasks, duties and working conditions typical of the role:

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education and skills

You need the following educational qualifications to become an operations manager:

a bachelor's degree

  • Having a diploma in business operations management can get you started in the role. However, many employers require a bachelor's degree. You should pursue a bachelor's degree in operations management or business administration.

complete a postgraduate degree

  • Having a postgraduate degree advances your skills and gives you useful knowledge to help you excel in the role. Consider pursuing a master's in business administration or graduate certificate in operational excellence.

gain work experience

  • Your employment history is significant to your role as an operations manager. Having experience in business administration and supply chain management gives you the knowledge to excel in the role. You can get part-time or entry-level positions to gain work experience while studying.

skills and competencies

Becoming an operations manager requires expert technical knowledge and excellent managerial skills to navigate the responsibilities. These include:

leadership skills

  • As an operations manager, you undertake many managerial duties. You need leadership skills to help you set goals, mentor, motivate and lead other employees. Leadership skills assist in guiding employees and leading by example to ensure company objectives are met.

communications skills

  • Operations managers interact with various stakeholders, from suppliers and customers to senior management. Communication skills help you effectively deliver instructions and feedback to different stakeholders.

organisational skills

  • As an operations manager, you oversee multiple aspects of a business. Without organisational skills, you cannot accomplish all the tasks at the stipulated time. You need to organise your workload and create a timeline for each project to ensure success.

financial acumen

  • As an operations manager, you ensure all business operations are within budget. With financial insight, you can evaluate the daily operations of each department so that they meet the company's profitability goals without exceeding the budget.
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FAQs about working as an operations manager

Here are the most asked questions about working as an operations manager:

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