what is an operations manager?
As an operations manager, you are in charge of running an organization'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 the policies. For instance, finding the perfect balance between expenses and revenue is your job. That means you optimize costs to maintain a company's financial health without compromising the quality or customers feeling short-changed.
Aside from formulating company processes and policies, the operations manager manages all company resources. That includes raw materials, labour and capital. As an operations manager, you supervise and control all factors of production to ensure maximum productivity. Sometimes, you 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 put together the resources available to achieve a company's goals. For instance, you manage inventory and sales representatives to increase sales in retail. In manufacturing, you supervise the production processes and minimize costs without affecting the quality standards. In construction, you ensure all materials are utilized as expected and manage on-site workers.
Would working as an operations manager suit your commercial awareness and enterprising skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an operations manager role.
operations manager rolesaverage operations manager salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of an operations manager is $109,974 per year. When you are new in the role, you earn $75,867 annually due to your minimal experience and qualifications. As your experience improves, you are likely to earn more than $156,181 yearly.
what factors influence the salary of an operations manager?
As an operations manager, your salary depends on diverse factors. In an entry-level position, you have minimal experience, which lowers your salary expectations. As you improve your expertise, you can negotiate a higher salary package and additional benefits. The company's size and operations determine your earnings. When you manage large company operations, the complexity of your duties increases your salary expectations.
Your location also influences your earnings. When you work in New Brunswick or Quebec, you earn more due to the high demand for the role. Provinces like Alberta have lower salary expectations due to low demand for operations managers. Some industries also have higher payment expectations due to the complexity of the duties.
types of operations managers
Operations managers vary depending on the industry they work in. Some include:
- business operations managers: as a business manager, you supervise the operations of various departments in a company. You optimize company resources to improve business outcomes by promoting efficiency and productivity.
- field operations managers: your job is implementing field marketing and sales initiatives. That means you are responsible for training and hiring field sales representatives, evaluating performance and managing the logistics of marketing activities.
- healthcare operations managers: you help improve efficiency and the quality of services in a healthcare centre. You ensure the hospital sticks to the budget by optimizing resources and resolving operational issues.
- construction operations managers: 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.
working as an operations manager
Working as an operations manager is a great opportunity since you help your company improve efficiency. Here are operations managers' main tasks, work schedules and career opportunities.
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what does an operations manager do?
Operation managers are the driving forces behind successful projects. They perform the following tasks:
- product design: as the operations manager, you ensure products and services sold to consumers meet their needs. Hence, 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 design fulfils consumer needs.
- forecasting market demand: your job is to improve business outcomes by ensuring the product meets the demands instead of producing products that take time to sell. You analyze the statistics to determine the uptake of your company's products. From the information, you develop strategies to increase sales.
- supply chain management: as an operations manager, you manage the business processes, from acquiring raw materials and production to sales. You monitor production, distribution and sales to ensure efficiency and low overhead costs.
- strategic planning: operations managers strategically plan company goals and optimize business processes. For instance, you determine the best marketing strategies to increase revenue or find cost-effective production methods.
- quality control: as the operations manager, you ensure the company’s 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.
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work environment of an operations manager
As an operations manager, your work environment depends on the industry and your primary responsibilities. In manufacturing, operations managers work in an office but also spend time at the factory or a manufacturing plant. Your work revolves around various construction sites since you supervise workers and ensure the delivery of raw materials. When working in construction sites or factories, you need personal protective equipment, even when not handling the items on-site. In some industries like retail and information technology, your job is predominantly in the office, requiring minimal travelling.
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who are your colleagues?
Operations managers work in different industries alongside various professionals. As an operations manager, you work with mechanical engineers, welders and warehouse associates. You collaborate with production supervisors and factory supervisors to ensure the production process runs smoothly. You also work with business systems analysts and data analysts to review the company processes.
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operations manager work schedule
As an operations manager, your work routine runs from 9 am to 5 pm. The role takes at least 40 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, mostly in consultancy companies. Some operations managers take up jobs on short-term contracts. As an operations manager, you travel to construction sites and supplier meetings.
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career opportunities as an operations manager
Your advancement path as an operations manager depends on your career ambitions and the industry you work in. As an operations manager, you can specialize in working for a specific industry. For instance, if you started as a facilities manager or logistics supervisor, specialize in manufacturing operations or logistics and become an expert in the field. An operations manager is a senior role; your career advancement opportunity is to become the vice president of operations, chief executive officer or managing director. After years of experience, you can be a consultant and become self-employed.
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advantages of finding a job as an operations manager through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
operations manager skills and education
Some of the educational requirements of operations managers include:
- bachelor’s degree: to work as an operations manager, you require a college diploma or a bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration or a relevant field. You can specialize in a specific sector by pursuing a course in engineering before completing a master's in management.
- work experience: you require extensive experience in operations and other business roles to work as an operations manager. You can improve your skills through middle management roles that improve your experience in leadership.
competencies and characteristics of operations managers
Some of the qualities of an operations manager 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 the company's objectives are accomplished.
- communications skills: operations managers interact with various stakeholders, from suppliers and customers to top management. Communication skills help you effectively deliver instructions and feedback to different stakeholders.
- organizational skills: as an operations manager, you oversee multiple aspects of a business. You need organizational skills to accomplish all the tasks at the stipulated time. You should organize your work and create a timeline for each project to ensure success.
- financial acumen: as an operations manager, you ensure all business operations meet the budget. With financial insight, you can evaluate the daily operations of each department and ensure they meet the company's profitability goals without exceeding the budget.
FAQs about operations manager jobs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an operations manager.
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what does an operations manager do?
As an operations manager, you supervise, hire and train workers. You ensure employees perform their duties efficiently to ensure the production of high-quality products. You manage quality assurance programs and strategize process improvements for the company. You also find long-term solutions for improving company operations and increasing profit margins.
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what is the salary of an operations manager?
As an operations manager, your earnings depend on your experience and qualifications. The average salary of operations managers in Canada is $109,974 annually. In an entry-level position, you start with a lower salary of $75,867 yearly. As your experience increases, your earnings rise to $156,181 per year.
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what are the three roles of operations management?
The functions of operations management include planning, organizing and strategizing. You create a business strategy for managing company processes. A well-planned system ensures production goals are achieved and you can meet deadlines. As an operations manager, you also strategize on the business plans for the company and how to improve production efficiency.
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who qualifies as an operations manager?
To work as an operations manager in Canada, you require a college or bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study. If you work in manufacturing, you require a background in engineering or manufacturing technology to excel in your role. While a master's degree isn't compulsory, it improves your prospects.
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what are the skills of an operations manager?
As an operations manager, you require exceptional problem-solving skills to analyze complex problems and develop feasible solutions. With your problem-solving skills, you can solve challenges that arise in production processes and resolve conflicts in work environments. Communication skills are important for relaying instructions clearly, while your leadership skills help you inspire and motivate teams toward a goal.
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how do I find a job as an operations manager?
Finding a job near you as an operations manager is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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