operations manager.

Operation managers are the driving forces behind successful project completion. They perform the following tasks:

developing new product designs

• As the operations manager, you ensure the products and services sold to consumers meet their needs. You generate new ideas to fill gaps in the market or change the production processes to improve your product's quality. You also study market trends and ensure the product designs align with consumer preferences.

forecasting market demand

• Your job is to improve business outcomes by analysing statistics to determine the uptake of your company's products. You develop strategies based on this information to increase sales.

managing the supply chain

• As an operations manager, you direct business processes, from acquiring raw materials and production to sales. You need to monitor production, distribution and sales to ensure efficiency and low overhead costs.

strategic planning

• Operations managers are involved in the strategic planning of company goals and optimising business processes. For instance, they determine the best marketing strategies to increase revenue or find cost-effective production methods.

quality control

• As the operations manager, you ensure company products meet the required standards. That includes sourcing suitable raw materials and recruiting qualified personnel to ensure the production process yields high-quality products. You also identify ways to increase value to your customers to improve loyalty.

As an operations manager, your work environment depends on the industry you work in and your primary responsibilities. In manufacturing, operations managers work from an office but spend most of their time at the factory or manufacturing plant.

In construction, you work around various construction sites since you need to supervise workers and ensure the delivery of raw materials. You need personal protective equipment when working on construction sites or in factories. In retail and information technology industries, your job is predominantly office-based, with minimal travelling required.

Depending on your employer and the industry, your colleagues might include project managers, supply chain managers, cleaning supervisors and marketing coordinators.

You might also work close to contract administrators and chief executive officers, as well as other specialists that could include, but are not limited to, business development managers, finance analysts, finance assistants, human resource managers, human resource administrators and recruitment consultants.

As an operations manager, your work routine runs weekly from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Work takes at least 38 hours a week, but you should expect to work weekends and evenings. Most companies employ operations managers on a full-time basis. You can also find a few part-time opportunities, mainly in consultancy companies.

Some operations managers also take jobs on short-term contracts. You will travel to construction sites and supplier meetings as an operations manager. Interstate travel is also common; operations managers sometimes travel overseas for conferences or projects.

Your advancement path as an operations manager depends on the industry you work for and your career ambitions. You can specialise in working for a specific sector. If you started as a facilities manager or logistics supervisor, consider specialising in manufacturing operations or logistics and becoming an expert in your field.

An operations manager is a senior role, and your career advancement opportunity is to become the director of operations, chief executive officer or managing director. After years of experience, you can become self-employed as a consultant.

Finding your operations manager job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of options in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an operations manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent career. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As an operational manager, you oversee or supervise all operational activities in the company. You also prioritise improving everyone's tasks to ensure better performance and productivity.

An operations manager should be knowledgeable about consumer trends and management functions. They should be big-picture-oriented and have enough experience to lead a company towards its goals.

Becoming an operations manager can be an excellent profession for someone who enjoys working in a dynamic work environment. The role has a positive career outlook, promising reasonable remuneration and benefits.

As an operations manager, you need exceptional organisational skills to organise work activities and keep track of company goals. It would help if you also had solid financial acumen to optimise costs and manage the company's budgets.

Working conditions are sometimes stressful and demanding for operations managers. You spend long hours directing various activities and workers, which can be demanding. However, you can manage the role's demands if you have good organisational skills.

Applying for an operations manager job is easy:

1. create a Randstad profile and search our operations manager job offers for vacancies in your area.
2. Then send us your CV and cover letter.

Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.